Publications by Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

COAST Card Bharat (Page 1)

COAST Card Bharat

Bill Dennison, Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen, Sidney Anderson, Roshni Nair-Gonzalez ·
18 July 2025

In February 2024, the COAST Card team visited the study site in Goa, India. There, they participated in a conference on sustainability work occuring in Goa, listening to presentations from students of all ages, as well as professors from the local university. Students also created posters on their work in Goa and participated in a Listening Session on their values and concerns for the area.

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Manila Bay Stakeholder Workshop and Conference (Page 1)

Manila Bay Stakeholder Workshop and Conference

Bill Dennison, Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen, Sidney Anderson ·
18 July 2025

In March 2023, the COAST Card Team made their first site visit to Manila Bay in the Philippines. There, they attended a conference and participated in workshops on ecological work being done in Manila Bay, they facilitated the first international Listening Session at the local Philippine Coast Guard station, and took field trips around the study site. This trip marked the beginning of the international site visits for the COAST Card Project.

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Shaping the next generation of Chesapeake Bay report cards (Page 1)

Shaping the next generation of Chesapeake Bay report cards

Lili Badri, Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen ·
10 June 2025

On April 1, 2025, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) co-hosted the first joint Chesapeake Bay Report Card Networking Meeting at CBF’s Annapolis headquarters. Over 30 stakeholders from nonprofits, government, academia, and community groups gathered to advance a shared vision for more inclusive, responsive, transparent, and collaborative socio-environmental reporting across the watershed.

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Chesapeake Global Collaboratory: Baltimore Harbor in Context (Page 1)

Chesapeake Global Collaboratory: Baltimore Harbor in Context

Results of the Workshop on October 10th, 2024

Bill Dennison, Heath Kelsey, Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen, Roshni Nair-Gonzalez ·
28 May 2025

The recent tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has highlighted the critical importance of Baltimore Harbor to the region’s infrastructure, environment, and economy. In response, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), through its Chesapeake Global Collaboratory (CGC), hosted “Baltimore Harbor in Context” on October 10, 2024. The event gathered diverse stakeholders and featured plenary talks, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions.

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Foundational Science in Flight: USGS Bird Programs Support Conservation, Culture, and a Thriving U.S. Economy (Page 1)

Foundational Science in Flight: USGS Bird Programs Support Conservation, Culture, and a Thriving U.S. Economy

Ziolkowski D, Celis-Murillo A, Malpass J, Pardieck K, Martin J, and Walker L ·
10 March 2025

Birds are vital to our economy, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. Investing in bird conservation benefits communities, businesses, and working lands while reinforcing our nation’s legacy of stewardship and biodiversity. By valuing birds, we ensure a richer, healthier, and more vibrant future for all Americans.

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Understanding Linkages Between Coastal Environment and Community Health (Page 1)

Understanding Linkages Between Coastal Environment and Community Health

Vargas-Nguyen V, Kelsey H, Badri L, Adebayo A, Breton T, Byun J, Fife A, Kalama I, Matthew L, Novara A, Sequeira R ·
24 January 2025

Coastal environments face unique challenges that profoundly affect human well-being. Stressors such as pollution, rising temperatures, flooding, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and emerging contaminants threaten ecosystems and disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. This report presents the findings from the Fall 2024 Coastal Environment and Community Health course, by graduate students in the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Science program at the University System of Maryland.

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Environmental Management of Baltimore Harbor

Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future

Lucchese, V. M., Vargas-Nguyen, V., Dennison, W. C., Vissering, C., Amadi, J., Matthews, M., Jacobs, G., Komolafe, B., Fairfield, K., Zais, A., Seddon, H., and Jalkowski, S. ·
27 December 2024

This booklet explores the rich cultural heritage and economic significance of Baltimore Harbor, a cornerstone of Maryland's and the U.S.'s economic vitality. Historically shaped by its waterfront, Baltimore faces environmental challenges stemming from its industrial past and ongoing issues like wastewater contamination and climate change impacts.

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