Challenge: Providing Access to Clean Water
Bio for Spotlight: I hope to use the GCS program at Clemson to tailor my undergraduate career towards the challenge of providing better access to clean water. In particular, I want to begin preparing for graduate in the field of Radioecology. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in research in order to learn how to track radionuclides through hydrological environmental systems in order to identify contaminant sources and develop remediation treatments. This research will hopefully lead to technologies that can be implemented to clean contaminated water sources around the world.
Research: Work with Dr. Brian Powell’s research group in the Clemson Radiochemistry lab analyzing the behavior of radionuclides in the environment. In particular, I work on experiments manipulating radionuclides with mineral sorption to determine surface complexation coefficients. I was part of the 2015 "Renewable Energy Technologies Generation and Management" Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) cohort at Missouri University of Science and Technology. I worked with a team involved in several research experiments and the compilation of a comprehensive economic and environmental evaluation of Green Infrastructure (GI). I was a research assistant in the Civil Engineering Department, coauthoring a paper entitled "Potentials of Online Media and Location-Based Big Data for Urban Transit Networks in Developing Countries” accepted for publication to the annual Transportation Research Board.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Taken several psychology and sociology courses that focused specifically on motivation, willpower, and how humans perceive chance and risk. Also participated in Dixon Fellows, a program within the Calhoun Honors College that brings together students of all majors into small groups that focus on diverse topics ranging from Portuguese literature to astronomy. Planning on taking an Environmental Law and Policy course to develop my understanding of environmental law.
Entrepreneurship: Research project this semester involved estimating the value of Green Infrastructure, including economic, environmental, social, aesthetic, and educational. Furthermore, the GCS chapter participated in a seminar learning about patents, particularly the patent process within Clemson. Furthermore, I was the first treasurer of the Clemson GCS chapter.
Global Dimension: Studied abroad at the Trier University of Applied Sciences in Trier, Munich, and Birkenfeld, Germany. Took a German language and culture course as well as a “Sustainable Energy Technologies” course.
Service Learning: Currently Vice President of Service for the Clemson GCS chapter. Also participate in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg ‘Adopt-A-Stream’ program.