Undergraduate Student Portfolio

My group developed this laboratory handout for the fluorimeter spectrometer in my CH441 Instrumental Analysis lab. My group developed a procedure to quantify PAH concentrations in diesel and E85 gasoline. I choose this artifact because it demonstrates my ability to design, propose and execute an undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. Article demonstrates successful method development for quantifying PAHs which are found carcinogen and environmental contaminants found in gasoline, motor oil and diesel fuel. I learned how to develop a procedure for students who have limited knowledge about fluorimeter spectrometry. Weaknesses include not including our own calibration curve. Strengths include pictures walkthrough of instrument startup. I would strengthen this article by stating that error bars should be calculated for calibration curve and verify how many trials should be ran for calibration curve.

I presented this poster presentation at the virtual 15th Annual WAESO Student Research Conference in March 2021. My research with Dr. Mahapatro at Regis university examines the uniqueness of Peroxodiphosphate (PDP) substrate in probing the active site of sweet potato purple acid phoshatases (PAPs). This research poster presentation demonstrates my in depth literature review (PAP) enzymes. The introduction section of poster incorporates research from peer reviewed prior PAP studies. I learned how to assemble a poster and articulate laboratory data to a diversity of educational disciplines. Strengths include good description and display of figures and tables. Weakness is that the poster contains too many words. If I were to recreate this artifact, I would shorten the introduction section and add more to my verbal presentation.

I created a conservation plan for the Brown Howler Monkey in my ENVS428 Conservation Biology class. My conservation research involved Brown Howler behavioral ecology, biggest threats to survival, stakeholders and conservation plan. Research in brown howlers was found from academic journal articles from organizations working in Brazil and Argentina studying the brown howler monkey. I also utilized a broad range of sources including academic institutions to government policy documents to form the conservation plan. Strengths include broad use of sources. Weaknesses is the lack of applicable PA, PES and ecotourism prior research in brown howler habitat. If I were to recreate I would investigate more research about the pros and cons of the trio of protected areas, payment for ecosystem services and ecotourism in brown howler habitat.

I developed an ordination-correlation analysis report in my ENVS450 Forest & Landscape Ecology course. This artifact demonstrates data interpretation of topographic factors on Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir composition using ordination-correlation analysis in R. Data presentation using R provides concise and clear graphical representations of variables being accessed. I learned to utilize R software and run ordination-coordination analysis. Strengths include data interpretation and deriving conclusions in the discussion from raw data. Weaknesses involve proposing little mechanism or reasoning as to why high TRMI, north facing slopes and valley may impact Douglas Fir dominance. If I were to recreate I would research more into proposing mechanism as to why the found topographic influenced stand composition.

I researched the current municipalization of Eau de Paris public water company in Paris and offered a proposed policy to improve Eau de Paris services. This article was developed for a EC418 Environmental Economics and Law course I took Fall 2020. I examine the Paris Water public water company and propose a potential policy to strengthen the overall policy through aspects such as economics, sustainability and metrics. Water is a natural resource and through this artifact I was able to understand and address water management issues and potential solutions through a multi-disciplinary approach. I learned that management of natural resources involves considering all stakeholders and multi-discipline collaboration. Strengths include in depth analysis of successes and failures of Eau de Paris. Weaknesses involve unreliable data that discusses failures of Eau de Paris. If I were to recreate project, I would examine more reliable literature for potential improvements that could be made for Eau de Paris.

I review and analyze Eating Apes in my ENVS428 Conservation Biology course. I learned during this project that the book addresses the ethical and social implications of the primate bushmeat trade among wild primates (chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos) in Central Africa. The book review covers topics about the positive feedback relationship of logging and primate hunting, large corporation involvement like CIB and WCS in the issue and culture of bushmeat consumption. I learned that regulation and enforcement of illegal logging laws can reduce the amount of illegal logging and primate hunting. Strengths include thorough examination of relevant stakeholders in African bushmeat crisis. Weaknesses include my limited proposal that address the bushmeat crisis. If I were to recreate this poster I would research more about acquiring funding that can effectively regulate economic stakeholders in primate hunting and logging . This may require introducing protected areas, research communities nearby or introducing guards to protect primate habitat.