My practicum project was working to test the efficiency of aquaponics filtration systems. My site was located in the Environmental Science and Technology Department's Aquaponics Research Lab at the University of Maryland. I was a lab assistant that assisted on one of the research projects being conducted in the lab.
I knew I wanted to find a position relating to environmental research, so I reached out to some of the ENST department professors who conducted their own research in a lab. I looked in to each lab, and formulated an email to see if there were any open positions or ways I could help out. Dr. Jose-Luis Izursa was very receptive to my request and was able to offer me a position as a lab assistant under graduate student Jonas Lee. For any future SGC students who might want to do something similar, it is helpful to know that many departments have their own webpages with a list of professors that conduct research, along with their contact information. It is easy look through this list to find the labs most interesting to you, and email those professors the semester before you want to work. Getting started on this process earlier is beneficial. You can also talk with your professors in class if they know of any openings, usually they are always willing to help if you make an effort to chat with them about your interests!
My practicum project was based on testing the efficiency of the aquaponics systems in the lab. Jonas' research is focused on making aquaponics systems more efficient for use on space stations. Before we could add any materials to make the systems more efficient, we took a baseline set of data on how well the filters work to take the nutrients excreted from fish and transfer them into plant usable forms. We tested the systems at 3 different locations for nitrate, nitrite and ammonia concentrations. There are 12 different systems in the lab, and we sampled 4 systems every day over the course of a few weeks to get an average set of data for all of the systems at each location. I performed water quality analysis tests on each of the samples. These tests involved adding other chemicals to the samples and using a spectrophotometer to analyze concentrations and amounts. There was a different process for each nutrient. After the testing period was over, we analyzed the results and brainstormed the next steps for Jonas' research. Additionally, I also performed other lab related tasks. I fed the fish weekly, cleaned their tanks and made sure the lab was kept clean and orderly.
From this project, I learned about what working in a research lab environment looks like. I got to experience the research process, and learned important lab skills that can be applied to future internships. Since I want to guide my career in a research based direction, it was valuable to learn about how science in graduate school and beyond works.
This work also helped me gain an appreciation for science and its connections to the outside world as well. Aquaponics is a very relevant topic to increase sustainable food production as it allows those with limited resources to grow food. The scientific process we conducted will one day help many people to utilize aquaponics in their own societies to support their populations without the need of soil or excess amounts of water. This was a very cool revelation for me to have; that my work will potentially have an impact on other people and their ways of living. Additionally, this experience solidified my ideal future career path, which is conducting research that will have an impact on the health of our environments. It confirmed the facts that I plan to go to graduate school and obtain my masters in a field related to ecosystem health and efficiency.
In conclusion, this has been an amazing experience, one that has shaped my career path and given me valuable skills I will use in the future. I have not only learned technical skills, but also interpersonal skills when working in a lab setting with a team. Thank you to Dr. Holtz, Dr. Merck and the Science and Global Change program for providing me with the opportunity to start my professional journey.