Senior drawn to chemical oceanography through REU
A 10-week summer research experience in the Gulf of Mexico opened the eyes of one Bloomsburg University senior to not only a new field of chemistry but to a potential career path as well.
Lauren Barrett, a senior dual environmental geoscience and chemistry major, was among a select few undergraduate students from across the country chosen to participate in Texas A&M University’s Observing the Ocean program, one of its summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities.
There the students were introduced to new ocean observing technologies and used data from ocean observatories, buoys and time series to investigate the ocean. Students worked with Texas A&M mentors in laboratories and on seagoing projects developing analytical skills for multidisciplinary oceanographic research.
“I worked with an oceanography research professor on an independent research project,” said Barrett, who was mentored by Kathryn Shamberger, assistant professor of chemical oceanography at Texas A&M. “I wrote a formal research proposal, conducted laboratory experiments, collected water samples on an oceanographic research vessel, and processed analyzed data.”
Barrett specifically studies the effects of Hurricane Harvey on the coral reef ecosystems at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Little is known about their water chemistry, so the data I analyzed will be used in future work to elucidate the temporal variation in the environment,” Barrett said. “My research found that — with respect to their ability to generate calcium carbonate skeletons — the FGB coral reef ecosystems were not negatively impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”
According to Barrett, the most exciting part of her summer experience was the opportunity to work on an oceanographic research vessel.
“In June, we embarked on a three-day cruise in the Gulf of Mexico on the R/V Pelican,” Barrett said. “We used a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) instrument to assess water column data such as dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, temperature, depth, and salinity. We also collected water samples for chemical and biological analysis.”
Barrett said the work and time spent with BU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry prepared her well for this field research experience.
“I was able to quickly learn to use and troubleshoot our lab’s main analytical instrument, the VINDTA, as well as display mastery of other laboratory techniques,” Barrett said. “Those skills were not granted naturally and the excellent guidance of BU chemistry faculty — in both research and coursework — is where credit is owed.”
She added, “My exposure to a wide variety of instruments in physical chemistry and in my research at BU last summer was particularly helpful. I could not have succeeded as I did this summer without the prior mentorship of BU’s chemistry faculty!”
Though her time in the field has concluded, Barrett says work with the research continues, including in the coming New Year.
“Based on an oral presentation I gave at the end of the program I received a travel award to attend the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this February.” Barrett said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been exposed to by participating in this REU.”
Next up for Barrett is to apply for doctorate programs in chemistry with an intent to pursue a career in chemical oceanography. A key influence in this decision was her summer research experience in the Gulf of Mexico.
“I highly recommend participation in REU programs to undergraduate chemistry students,” Barrett said. “I wish I would have participated in one earlier in my undergraduate career. It’s important to be exposed to different fields of research, as well as the resources that larger universities can offer.”
Barrett says a REU program can also be a good indication of your suitability for graduate school, if that’s something you’re not sure about.
“I wasn’t,” Barrett said. “My advice would be to keep an open mind when considering what you would like to do with your chemistry degree. Without the guidance of the wonderful Dr. Venn of the EGGS department, I probably would have never known that chemical oceanography existed. Cast a wide net, because you never know what research you will end up falling in love with!”
