I am a junior at Bowdoin College majoring in Earth and Oceanographic Science (EOS). In the 2018 spring semester I will be studying abroad with SEA Semester and completing a semester-long research project about carbon cycling in the sub-Antarctic Ocean. Although my major, earth and oceanographic science, has exposed me to plate tectonics, sedimentary systems, and biogeochemical cycling, I have focused my major mostly on ocean systems. Within oceanography I am most interested in marine nutrient cycling, ocean acidification, and water quality monitoring of coastal ecosystems.
This past summer I conducted research through the Bowdoin EOS Dept. on a spectrophotometric method development to improve the accuracy and precision of pH measurements. The goal of the project was to improve monitoring and quantification of coastal ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine. This research project improved my data analysis skills by learning how to use R and Prism, and my …show more content…
I’m still undecided if I want to do research, which is why I want to spend this summer participating in a REU. Another possibility I have considered is a lab technician, because this past summer I spent two weeks at UC Davis with Michele LaVigne working on a Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) for her paleooceanographic research on bamboo coral dating. I really enjoyed learning how the LA-ICP-MS worked. Additionally, I am a lab project assistant for the course Biogeochemistry, which has allowed me to work on a Gas Chromatograph Spectrometer. Working with instruments is intellectually challenging and very interesting to me. I will definitely continue with ocean sciences, whether I do that through research and graduate school or becoming a lab technician, I believe that the skills I can gain from this REU would be beneficial to both career
This past summer I conducted research through the Bowdoin EOS Dept. on a spectrophotometric method development to improve the accuracy and precision of pH measurements. The goal of the project was to improve monitoring and quantification of coastal ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine. This research project improved my data analysis skills by learning how to use R and Prism, and my …show more content…
I’m still undecided if I want to do research, which is why I want to spend this summer participating in a REU. Another possibility I have considered is a lab technician, because this past summer I spent two weeks at UC Davis with Michele LaVigne working on a Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) for her paleooceanographic research on bamboo coral dating. I really enjoyed learning how the LA-ICP-MS worked. Additionally, I am a lab project assistant for the course Biogeochemistry, which has allowed me to work on a Gas Chromatograph Spectrometer. Working with instruments is intellectually challenging and very interesting to me. I will definitely continue with ocean sciences, whether I do that through research and graduate school or becoming a lab technician, I believe that the skills I can gain from this REU would be beneficial to both career