In an age of globalization, knowledge gained from studying one part of the world can potentially aid in one’s understanding of a challenge occurring in another part of the world.  More so, this knowledge may lead to the consequent, but necessary, courses of action required to provide effective solutions for such issues. For example, the domino effect surrounding climate change has been terrifying.  With the occurrence of more frequent droughts and floods, the extinction of coral reefs, the melting of the Polar Regions, and other climate-related disasters, there has been a major need to implement solutions that can aid in sustaining the environment. 

However, when tackling such climate changes, one must move beyond merely the talk of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One must seriously consider how to effectively help people and nature survive the inevitable effects of climate change within their community. Conducting research, gaining and applying new knowledge, and sharing one’s knowledge with others is the key to successfully understanding, restoring, and preserving our planet.  Furthermore, these factors, in conjunction with previous undergraduate research experiences, have further inspired me to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in Earth and Environmental Sciences or a related field.

While pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) I have been able to enhance my skillset In addition, I have also had the opportunity to hone my academic and professional skills by participating in various undergraduate research programs, internships, and attending regional and national scientific conferences. In the future, effectively utilizing these skills will aid in my development as a researcher, future graduate student, and a compassionate, informed leader.

During the summer of 2009, I participated in the National Science Foundation-Watershed Watch at ECSU. This interdisciplinary course covered a wide range of scientific methods, including water quality testing and satellite imagery analysis, to study the aquatic and terrestrial parts of the Pasquotank Watershed, located in northeastern North Carolina. At the completion of the internship, my fellow researchers and I, developed a research poster entitled Human Impacts on the Water Quality of the Pasquotank. Using various chemical parameters, such as pH, specific conductivity, and dissolved oxygen percent, this research focused on determining how urban development, agriculture, and wastewater treatment facilities affect the Pasquotank Watershed.  In addition to gaining scientific insight, working diligently during throughout this program further granted me the opportunity to present the research at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creative Symposium, as well as the 2009 American Geophysical Union.

In 2010, I interned with the Undergraduate Research Experience in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Sciences (URE OMPS) Program at ECSU. As a member of the Impact team, our research project focused on providing evidence that would support a potential extraterrestrial impact 12,900 B.P. using evidential markers, such as the presence of charcoal, glass-like carbon, and carbon spherules. Conducting this research gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge in the field of geology and work with state of the art multi-faceted instruments, such as the scanning electron microscope. My participation in this program was proven to be invaluable as it enhanced my knowledge base, improved my research skills, and also provided the opportunity for my involvement in future research programs.

During the 2010 - 2011 academic school year, I was accepted into the Center of Excellence for Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) scholarship program. Through CERSER I have attended numerous research conferences, improved my professional development skills, and gained additional scientific research opportunities.

Since joining CERSER, Dr. M. LeCompte has served as my primary mentor. Under his leadership, I along with various members of his research teams have extensively used Exelis Visualization Information Solutions’ image processing software and archived images (e.g., Landsat 7 Enhance Thematic Mapper) to study the potential changes that may be occurring in the West Antarctic Ice-sheet basal stress boundary along Pine Island Glacier. Over the past three years of research, we have validated the basal stress boundary in the region of Pine Island Glacier, as well as discovered some long-term temporal changes in the ice-sheet. As a resulted of the observed changes, the US-Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (ACAN) Board of Geographic Names (BGN) has officially named the dissipating ice feature in Pine Island Bay ECSU Bay.

In 2011, I interned with the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington. Using the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets  (CReSIS) developed Snow Radar, estimates of very recent firn accumulation rates over Thwaites Glacier along the Amundsen Coast of West Antarctica were calculated using data from Flight One, Segment 02 of the 10/18/2009 flight. MatLab and ArcGIS were used to derive the dataset estimates, which were within range of previous firn accumulation estimates; however, the continent wide published estimates did not correspond well with each other nor the specific dataset derived for Thwaites Glacier.

Building upon previous Polar research, I participated in the Northern Ecosystem Research for Undergraduates during the summer of 2012. This experience enhanced my background knowledge of Earth System Science and biogeochemical processes. More specifically, my reservoir of knowledge concerning greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent climate change was broadened through the use of field experience.  During this internship, I investigated light affects on greenhouse gas [carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄)] emissions at the Stordalen Mire, Abisko Sweden. My results showed that during the peak growing season, as the landscape transitions from a dry palsa, underlain by permafrost, to a predominately wet site, the sequestration of CO₂ is occurring; however, this benefit is offset by the permafrost thaw yielding increasing amounts of CH₄ to the atmosphere, which is 62 times more potent than CO₂ at 20 year time intervals.

As I continue my journey in higher education and research, I would like to assist future generations in becoming successful by contributing to their wealth of knowledge, providing encouragement, support, and being a positive role model. With the knowledge, insight, and skills that I have gained and will continue to gain, it is my goal to invest in my community by implementing various math and science programs, conduct research, and assist the public in becoming more environmentally conscious.