A doctoral student in NDSU's environmental and conservation sciences program received two travel awards to attend the Society of Wetland Scientists’ annual meeting June 2-6 in Duluth, Minn. Buddhika Madurapperuma is scheduled to present two papers at the event, which is expected to draw in nearly 300 experts in wetland science and management to share innovative research.

Madurapperuma received the Society of Wetland Scientists’ North Central Chapter Student Travel Award, which supports students’ participation in the event. The $500 award was based on candidate’s merit and the quality of their abstract. Madurapperuma will present “Ecological Influences Associated with Non-native Dominance at the Riparian Forest Fringe” and “Are Dry Zone Forests More Sensitive to Climatic Vulnerability than Wet Zone Forests?” at the event.

Madurapperuma also received a travel grant from the Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program. He is a student member of the Society of Wetland Scientists.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.