Environmental Research Centers

The Biodiversity Center provides expertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, taxonomy and systematics, evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, geographic information systems, restoration ecology, and database management and eco-informatics. The Center plays a pivotal role in the protection and management of numerous endangered species and has a 1,300-acre River Biological Preserve as its natural laboratory. 

The Biotechnology Center has molecular biology instrumentation for performing DNA, RNA and protein analyses such as DNA sequencing, PCR and real-time PCR, electrophoresis, microscopy, spectroscopy and other common laboratory protocols. The primary goal is to expand student research and training opportunities and provide support for faculty research.

The Center for HumanGeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES) is an interdisciplinary Center founded in the environmental geosciences with its focus at the nexus of climate, water, sustainability, karst geoscience, and human-environmental interactions. We strive to integrate research, education, outreach, and communication to bridge disciplines and gaps in socio-environmental research, provide student engagement opportunities, and increase public understanding and stakeholder awareness. The Center houses multiple labs, including the HydroAnalytical commercial and research water analysis lab and the EnviroLOS environmental education studio.

The Crawford Hydrology Laboratory provides field and laboratory services for groundwater flow investigations in both karst and non-karst areas.  Employing a range of methods, we specialize in groundwater tracing with fluorescent dyes utilizing state of the art techniques.  We provide quality supplies, analyses, and training for groundwater traces and conduct both full field investigations or planning and implementation guidance for client-run projects.  The lab has extensive experience conducting groundwater investigations with service to clients and agencies throughout the US and world. 

The HydroAnalytical Research Water Analysis Lab focuses on providing student training and professional services to the community, industry, and its partners. We emphasize applied research and outreach, both nationally and internationally, to produce meaningful outcomes that foster positive changes in behavior and understanding related to socio-environmental challenges. The Center’s mission is to establish itself as a leader in applied research and student engagement at the national and international levels through new and innovative approaches to addressing human-geoenvironmental challenges. 

The Kentucky Climate Center conducts research and provides a wide range of weather and climate services.  It serves as the State Climate Office for Kentucky and is a partner with the National Weather Service, the National Centers for Environmental Information, and the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.  The Kentucky Mesonet, Kentucky's statewide research-grade automated weather and climate monitoring infrastructure, was developed and is operated as a program of the center.  The Kentucky Climate Center also maintains research and development partnerships and provides customized services in support of public sector and business and industry.