For my Science and Global Change Practicum, I conducted a research project under the guidance of Dr. Candice Duncan of the Environmental Science and Policy Department at the University of Maryland. When I first came to UMD, I knew I wanted to get involved in research on campus. To find this opportunity I reached out to several different professors that I found through various UMD department websites (ENST, GEOL, etc.). My advice for future students struggling to identify a practicum site is not to give up! While it can be difficult to put yourself out there as you may be rejected or ignored, it is important to keep trying. Eventually, you will find a professor who is right for you and will help you achieve your research goals. I had no prior research experience, so it made professors hesitant to accept me. I had to remember that everyone starts somewhere because now I have been able to gain a lot of vital experience.
For my project, I studied soil grave samples that came from the New York African Burial Ground (NYABG) which is the country’s oldest and largest burial site of free and enslaved African Americans. In 2019, Dr. Duncan and her colleagues completed a non-destructive method (pXRF spectrometry) to analyze the soil samples for the assessment of trace metal presence. The soil samples of this site provided evidence of the biological and cultural existence of the population buried. The data help us reconstruct the lives of these early Americans in what became New York City. I was given the opportunity to further research these soil samples using a new approach that would allow us to obtain more quantitative data. I first had to weigh and dry the soil samples that I was analyzing. Then, I followed EPA digestion method 200.7 to break down the solid soil samples to be prepared for analysis. To analyze the samples, I used ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy). ICP-OES works by exciting atoms using plasma and measuring the light that is emitted. Each element produced unique wavelengths of light so I could determine information about its presence and concentration in samples.
Throughout this project, I have significantly developed my laboratory skills and knowledge about the scientific process. I have now become familiar with complex laboratory equipment and the work necessary to create a successful research project. This project has reinforced my love for science and research. The experience I gained from it will help me continue my experience in academic research. Post-bachelors, I hope to continue doing research that utilizes my knowledge of environmental science to real life applications.
This project has greatly increased my appreciation of the ties between science and anthropology. The information uncovered by my work will allow us to reconstruct these peoples’ lives by learning about their day-to-day activities (e.g. diet). By examining this data, we will uncover new information about the NYABG population and continue to share their stories.