Students hailing from Utah to Florida joined environmental scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) this summer to further their studies and glean insights into the impacts such research has on society’s evolving relationship with the environment.
ORNL’s Water Power Program provided five interns with an immersive 10-week experience, which partnered them with mentors on several research projects. They participated in field studies, analyzed data from statistical models, and presented key insights from their research.
“We were excited to work with such a talented group of students,” said Water Power Program Manager Shih-Chieh Kao. “I’m still amazed at what they each achieved in such a short period of time,” he said.
Micah Bowman participated in research that explores how autonomous imaging and identification can streamline environmental and biological assessments of species living near dams to more efficiently assess stream health. The process uses an automated instrument which images invertebrates and artificial intelligence to accurately classify species.
With a background in teaching, Bowman believes the experience at a national lab gave him insights he can share with future students who may be considering a career in science. “I will recommend this internship to others and would love to be the bridge to help future students have this same opportunity,” he said.
Anna Cardall sharpened her data analysis, geospatial processing, and data visualization skills this summer while working with ORNL researchers, who are using bathymetric data and historic pool elevation data to improve estimates of methane emissions from hydropower reservoirs.
Through her field work and data exploration, Cardall gained an appreciation for how complicated environmental and ecological systems are. “Though certainly complex, it is clearly important that we, nonetheless, try to understand these systems in our pursuit of meaningful mitigation,” said Cardall. “I will always remember and be thankful for the kindness and brilliance my ORNL mentors provided me.”
Ghada Diab joined environmental scientists in an ongoing research project whose goal is to extend the online tools ORNL developed for hydropower stakeholders. These tools were created to facilitate more informed decision-making on mitigation measures, environmental studies, and permit requirements – all with the objective to accelerate the licensing and relicensing of hydropower projects.
This has been an enriching and transformative experience. The knowledge I gained, research I conducted, and connections I made will undoubtedly shape my future career in scientific research.
Asia Jackson studied how sediment accumulation behind dams can hinder the ability of a reservoir to store water and perform adequately. To better understand sediment buildup on a national scale, Jackson and the ORNL research team used statistical analysis techniques to analyze existing survey data and resources. With this data, they were able to create visualizations to compare powered and non-powered structures, study regional differences, and evaluate temporal coverage.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities that the graduate research program at ORNL and my research mentors provided me,” said Jackson. “In addition to the research, I was able to go on amazing tours, learning more about the lab’s history and innovative creations,” she said.
DeMarcus Turner studied how methane emissions from hydropower reservoirs could be more accurately quantified by using a combined field measurement/statistical modeling approach. Turner collected field samples using a surface water drone, but perhaps his biggest take-away this summer was appreciating how important research is to society as a whole.
“The largest problems, issues, and challenges we face seem a lot smaller when we carry them with our fellow man in thought and action,” said Turner. “ORNL has taught me that you don’t go as far as your dream, you go as far as your team.”
ORNL hosted 700 students all told this summer under a variety of programs. Bowman and Diab participated in the Graduate Research Program at ORNL. Cardall’s experience at the lab was through the DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships Program, and Jackson and Turner participated in GEM Fellow Internships. For more information on the many student programs available at ORNL, please visit the lab’s Educational Programs portal.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE’s Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
