Forensic Biology and Chemistry major studying Nuclear Chemistry at Brookhaven National Laboratory

This summer we are featuring stories from our students involved in science internships.  Coriana Borton is a double major in Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Biology, and is a member of the Honors Program.  She will be a senior this fall. She writes about her experiences this summer learning about nuclear and radiochemistry at the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory:

“I am currently one of twelve students taking part in a 6-week intensive program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The main focus of this program is teaching nuclear and radiochemistry to undergraduate students. While here I am attending lectures, labs, and seminars. In laboratory I have gotten hands on experience working with radionuclides such as ⁵⁹Fe, ^113mIn, ¹¹³Sn, ³H, and ¹⁴C. Throughout the labs I have also been exposed to new instrumentation including Geiger-Müller, NaI, high-purity germanium, and liquid scintillation radiation detectors. Due to the work being done in the laboratories I first had to be trained as a radiation worker. So far, this program has done a great job in showing me the real life applications of nuclear and radiochemistry. I have been able to visit Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, Groton nuclear submarine base, a synchrotron light source, a heavy ion collider, and the NASA space radiation lab. With all of these experiences, it has been amazing to see the topics I am learning about in real life applications. So far I have had a great experience here; I have learned so many things that I would not have been able to anywhere else. In addition, I have been able to meet so many new people and talk to professionals who actually work in this field. While this program is a lot of work, I would definitely recommend it to any chemistry or physics major who is interested in learning more about nuclear and radiochemistry!”

Environmental Science major working as Natural Resource Intern at Gorman Nature Center

This summer we are featuring stories from our students involved in science internships.  Today we hear from Environmental Science/Biology major Tyler Theaker, our second student working at the Gorman Nature Center this summer.

I am the current summer Natural Resource Intern at Gorman Nature Center in Mansfield,

Ohio. My position mostly involves exotic/invasive species control, assisting in surveying and monitoring biotic inventories of park properties, assisting with preventative maintenance of power equipment and other heavy machinery, as well as Trail maintenance. The exotic/invasive species that I have and will be managing include garlic mustard, reed canary grass, multiflora rose, glossy buckthorn, honeysuckle, and Autumn-Olive. Eventually I will be assisting in the application of herbicides on such invasive plants. We do this to help restore parts of the park to their natural state. I have been surveying the activity of cavity nesting birds that inhabit the Park’s bluebird houses such as Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Carolina Chickadees, House Wrens, and the invasive House Sparrow. We take note on which species inhabits which bird house, whether or not the bird was present, and if there is a nest present the number of eggs as well. If there happens to be a nest of an invasive species such as the House sparrow, I have to take care of it. For preventative maintenance of equipment I take good care of and clean the equipment to last longer. When I maintain the trails I usually assist in cutting trees that may have fallen over the trails, mow and weed whack around the property, hedge trim over hanging tree limbs, lay out gravel in ruts, and pick up trash/litter to keep the property looking nice for the general public. Occasionally, when I am not working outside I interact with the public: answering phone calls, directing visitors, and interpreting nature center information; assist with and conduct natural history programs; and work with and care for educational and display animals. This internship has been a great experience thus far, and I encourage future biology or environmental majors to apply for this internship!