During spring semester 2006, I began a research project on climate  change under the direction of Dr. Tony Endress. We analyzed climate data from  the past 100 years to investigate how the observed variations affected the  phenology of Illinois flora. The  engaging research revealed the extent to which climate change alters the  function and timing of processes in ecosystems. I continued researching  environmental problems last summer with the National Great Rivers Research and  Education Center.  As an intern in Dr. Robert Hudson’s lab at the University  of Illinois, I conducted a research project on  methylmercury in crayfish and odonates from the Piasa Creek Watershed in  southeastern Illinois. Methylmercury,  a widesPad neurotoxin especially hazardous to developing organisms, is found  throughout the world’s aquatic ecosystems and poses a threat to public and  ecosystem health. Although I enjoyed contributing to the academic community with  my research, I wanted to do something more tangible about the problems I  studied. Applying the law to diminish threats to human and environmental  well-being would simultaneously achieve social and environmental justice,  benefiting both humans and nature.