Our team consists of nine members. Dr. Ross Powell from Northern Illinois University and Dr. Julie Brigham-Grette from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst are the lead scientists. I am so lucky to get to go along as a PolarTREC teacher from Los Coches Creek Middle School. The heart of the team consists of six undergraduate students participating in a program called Research Experiences for Undergraduates or REU. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. For all of you kids out there, if you study science in college, I hope that you will consider REU opportunities. Imagine, you could be doing something like this too in only a few short years! I am so impressed by everything these college students are doing. Note to my students- look at all of the opportunities that you have ahead of you if you work hard!
The REU Students
Research Experience for Undergraduates
Dr. Powell, Dr. Brigham-Grette and myself have introductions and bios on my home page so this journal will focus on the REU students. I asked each of them questions about school, their interests, why they wanted to study science, and any advice for kids preparing to go to college. So here they are. Meet the team.
Steve Ossim
Steve Ossim, Grand Valley State University
Steve Ossim is a geology major at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Since 6th grade he has wanted to be a scientist and is fascinated by the grandiose, seemingly living nature of glaciers. He jumps at every chance he gets to be outdoors and loves to backpack and rock climb. When not outdoors, he spends time with languages, learning Russian, Spanish and Norwegian. Standing 6'8", he excels at basketball and volleyball. Steve's advice to kids who want to study science in college is, "Try not to be intimidated by the increased work load. It takes some time to settle into college but be patient and confident that you'll manage."
Courtney Payne
Courtney Paine, Bowdoin College
Courtney studies Earth and Oceanographic Sciences at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine but is originally from San Jose, California. She wants to study how glaciers respond to climate change and how human actions are affecting the Earth. Her favorite subject in school was history, but her freshman year in college brought an incredible oceanography professor who sparked her love of science. (Yay!!!) Courtney is on the rowing team at Bowdoin and is headed to compete in England this summer after an undefeated season. Fun fact: in high school she burned off her eyebrows after lighting a stove poorly while camping with a coed Boy Scout crew. She supports environmental education efforts and a sexual assault support group on campus and to students heading off to college, she says, "Explore different subjects! I would not have considered geology until I had to choose a science subject to study."
Kean Ivey
Kean Ivey, Virginia Tech
Kean Ivey, from Afton, Virginia, is a senior geosciences major at Virginia Tech. Prior to college he served six years in the US Army as an explosive ordinance disposal technician and made two deployments. He can't get enough of hiking and camping and says that curiosity has been the primary force behind nearly everything he has ever done. Well after high school he realized that he wanted a career that included discovering new things and has chosen to study glaciers and ice. Before heading to polar bear territory, Kean is getting married! To students out there considering a science field, Kean says, "A little bit of curiosity and a lot of patience can create some incredible opportunities in life."
Dominique Seles
Dominique Seles, Worcester State University
Dominique Seles studies physical geography and Spanish at Worcester State University in Holden, Massachusetts. She is interested in studying modern glacial systems in the Arctic because they are so dynamic and inform us about global processes. She particularly enjoyed Spanish and biology in high school, but courses in environmental science and calculus gave her confidence and inspiration to study science in college. She enjoys hiking different areas in New England and watching and quoting Seinfeld reruns. Her advice to students who want to study science in college is "Read as much as you can!"
Ryan Pajela
Ryan Pajela, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ryan is from Andover, Massachusetts and is working on a B.S. in Physics and Earth Systems at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is interested in going to Svalbard because the effects of climate change are most observable in the high latitudes. In high school he enjoyed math, science and music; in college his favorite class has been planetary geology. He plays piano and has also played the euphonium, trumpet and french horn. A runner, hiker and coxswain for the Umass men's rowing team, he also enjoys travel and spent a semester abroad in Madrid. Ryans advice: "Don't overload yourself in college. It's better to go at a slower pace and learn than to take too many hard classes and find yourself constantly trying to catch up on schoolwork."
Jessica Miles
Jessica Miles, University of Michigan
Jessica is from Mclean, Virginia and studies environmental science at the University of Michigan. She in interested in continuing past research about seasonal variations in glacier fed lakes. She has always been interested in the Arctic and polar bears, but it wasn't until she took an environmental science class that she found it to be such a relevant and productive area of study. She loves baseball and the Washington Nationals and also enjoys running, biking, boxing, swimming, friends and country music. Jessica says, "If you want to study something and are passionate, you should go for it!"