Emilie Snell-Rood
Urban Pollution; pollinators; phenotypic plasticity
Background & Expertise
Emilie Snell-Rood studies how organisms cope with human environments and what this means for conservation. Her current research focuses on urban contaminants such as heavy metals, road salt and microplastics, trying to understand why some species are more tolerant than others and methods of mitigation such as biochar application. She is also studying the role of biodiversity and microclimate in buffering plant-insect interactions in the face of climate change. Professor Snell-Rood teaches courses in evolutionary perspectives on mental health, bio-inspired design and professional development.
Featured Project: Emilie Snell-Rood
Microplastic Pollution in Urban Agricultural Ecosystems
Challenge
Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, yet there is limited research about its effect on urban garden ecosystems. We know little about how plastic pollution affects the wildlife using agricultural spaces, including the pollinators on which we depend. Along with this, we are playing catch-up with respect to risk assessment and best practices in terms of management, mitigation and regulation of microplastic pollution.
Meet the Project Team
Project Lead
All Projects Featuring Emilie Snell-Rood
Fall 2025 IonE Mini Grants Advance UMN Sustainability Projects
Addressing today’s environmental and sustainability challenges requires creativity and collaboration across disciplines and ways of knowing. Twice a year, the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment supports project teams with mini grants of up to $3,000 to advance projects spanning research; leadership and education; and public interest communications and engagement.