Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center

10/16/2026

eDNA (environmental DNA) can tell scientists which organisms are present in an ecosystem without having to find them. 🧬 eDNA, for the win!
National Science Foundation (NSF)

10/13/2026

Back in the lab with Dr. Jen Salerno: let's learn about eDNA! 🧬
National Science Foundation (NSF) Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

10/09/2026

Dr. Jen Salerno of the Salerno Lab of Integrative Microbial Ecology (SLIME) shares how the Potomac River samples are stored for future analysis with Dr. Cindy Smith and Master's student Tim Henson! 🧫
National Science Foundation (NSF)

10/07/2026

Dr. Cindy Smith caught up with Master's student Victor Cregger as the Salerno Lab of Integrative Microbial Ecology (SLIME) processed some Potomac River samples!
National Science Foundation (NSF)

10/01/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the Belmont Paddlers Club at the Potomac Science Center! PhD student Annie Hurley of the Christova Algal Ecology Lab shared about the species of algae we find in nearby waterways. Master's student Victor Cregger of the Salerno Laboratory of Integrative Microbial Ecology (SLIME) discussed the presence of microplastics and how they break down in our nearby freshwater ecosystems. 🔬💧

Photos by Dr. Cindy Smith

09/30/2026

What’s going on at Potomac Science Center tonight? Students in multiple labs are processing river water samples as part of our National Science Foundation (NSF) Potomac River Interceptor Sewage project. The work doesn’t stop just because the sun goes down. We have the most dedicated students at the College of Science at George Mason University 👏👏👏👏💚💛💚
Potomac Riverkeeper Network

09/28/2026

The PEREC team was recently featured in a GMU News article by Sarah Holland! The piece highlights the ongoing research efforts by the team as they investigate the ongoing impacts from the Potomac River Sewage Spill that occurred in January this year. Check out the article at the link in our bio! 🔬💧🚤
College of Science at George Mason University Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University National Science Foundation (NSF) Potomac Riverkeeper Network

09/25/2026

Bacteria on land washes into the Potomac every time it rains 😲 Thank you Potomac Riverkeepers for sharing your monitoring data.

The results for this week reflect impacts from the recent rains.

09/21/2026

What's it like being a grad student at PEREC? For Mitch Brooks from the Nelson Fisheries Ecology Lab, it's having a supportive, engaging community of fellow researchers, combined with fun field work and learning opportunities. 🚤

Thank you for watching our series highlighting Mitch!