While my time at the lab may not have been filled with the best adventures, it was filled with substantial growth and knowledge. Coming into this I knew nothing about freshwater ecosystems. I was largely unaware of how relevant freshwater carbon dynamics are to the surrounding ecosystems and urban communities. I spent the majority of my time at the lab researching water quality parameters that affect the health of the ecosystem, with a particular focus on the overlooked role of carbon alongside more commonly studied nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
I did my practicum in the Geology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park, where I conducted independent research under the supervision of faculty in the GEOL499 program. My project focused on assessing eutrophication risk by analyzing the presence and behavior of carbon in streams across the Northeast Anacostia Watershed. The research involved working with water quality data collected from four monitoring sites: the Northeast Anacostia mainstem (NEA), Upper Campus Creek (UCC), Lower Campus Creek (LCC), and Paint Branch (PB). Using instruments such as the YSI ProPlus Multiparameter Probe and the Shimadzu Analyzer, I measured Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon (NPOC), and Total Nitrogen (TN) to understand their relationships and implications for water quality.
I found this research opportunity through a graduate student in the geology department who had won an award and presented his findings to SGC. I just kept cold emailing people and got lucky enough to land the internship. I also found out that any student of any major can do GEOL499, which allows undergraduate students to pursue independent research under faculty mentorship. My advice to future SGC Scholars is to actively seek out research opportunities within your department early in your academic career. Attend departmental seminars, speak with professors about their ongoing research, and do not hesitate to express interest in participating. Many faculty members are eager to mentor motivated students, and independent research courses like GEOL499 provide an excellent structured pathway into laboratory and fieldwork experiences. When contacting a potential supervisor, come prepared with specific interests and be ready to demonstrate your commitment to the scientific process.
At my practicum site, I performed a range of tasks that spanned fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation. I collected and analyzed water samples using specialized equipment, processed time-series data spanning from February 2017 to September 2025, and generated statistical correlations between carbon and nitrogen parameters across multiple sites. I created detailed visualizations showing the relationships between DIC, NPOC, and TN over time, and I examined how these relationships varied between upstream tributaries and the mainstem of the Anacostia River. Additionally, I synthesized my findings into a formal research presentation, developing skills in scientific communication and data storytelling.
This experience fundamentally deepened my understanding of freshwater biogeochemistry. I learned that while nitrogen and phosphorus are already studied as primary limiting nutrients in eutrophication, carbon plays a critical and often overlooked stoichiometric role. My analysis revealed that Lower Campus Creek showed an exceptionally strong correlation between DIC and TN (p < 0.0001), suggesting intense, localized co-release from point sources or concrete weathering. In contrast, the Northeast Anacostia mainstem showed weak, non-significant relationships, likely due to dilution and mixing effects downstream. I also observed seasonal patterns, with winter spikes in carbon and nitrogen concentrations likely driven by reduced biological uptake combined with continued urban runoff. These findings suggest that eutrophication risk is not uniform across the watershed and that management efforts should prioritize upstream areas where nutrient density is highest.
Science and Society: This practicum gave me a profound appreciation for the practical connections between environmental science and urban society. The Anacostia Watershed is not an abstract ecosystem. It is intimately connected to the communities of Washington D.C. and Prince George's County. Poor water quality affects recreational use, property values, and public health. Seeing news coverage of algal blooms in local waterways brought home the reality that the data I was analyzing represented real environmental and social consequences for thousands of people.
Academic Plans: This experience has made me want to change my major entirely. I now have an interest in pursuing a degree in biochemistry. I plan to take additional courses in biochemistry and computational biology.
Career Plans: I would say "Do it because you love it." This practicum has shaped my future career trajectory. I am now seriously considering graduate study in biochemistry and computational biology. The combination of fieldwork, analytical chemistry, and data analysis I practiced has shown me that I thrive at the intersection of research and applied environmental problem-solving. I can become who the graduate student was to me, and contribute to evidence-based policy that protects freshwater resources in urbanizing landscapes.
This practicum taught me that scientific research is never something to be taken lightly, but it is always rewarding. The patience required for data analysis, the precision needed in laboratory work, and the creativity demanded by scientific communication have all contributed to my growth as a scholar and as a person. I leave this experience with a deeper commitment to understanding and protecting the freshwater systems that sustain both ecological and human communities.