By Claire Meara
My name is Claire Meara, an honors Environmental Soil & Water Science student in the CSES Department. My mentor is Dr. Shannon Speir (CSES). I successfully defended my thesis in October 2024 and am graduating this Fall. As my portion of the research is complete, we have plans to potentially continue working on the project, adding minor details, with the goal of eventual publication.
I chose my honors thesis topic after finding Dr. Speir as a mentor. I took her Wetland Soils class as a sophomore during the spring semester and I was encouraged to approach her by my academic advisor, Dr Wood. Soon after meeting with Dr. Speir, I knew I wanted to join her lab. I had an interest in water science, and as we have a limited number of classes on the topic, I thought doing my honors thesis on the subject would be beneficial. Dr. Speir had many great projects for me to work on and choose from, which I really appreciated. I have learned a lot about my honors thesis topic, including the effect of urbanization on our urban streams, due to pollutants being washed into water from paved surfaces. I have also learned a lot about winter salt application, and how beet juice is used as an “environmentally friendly” alternative, when this may not actually be the case.
Some challenges that I have faced in my research are scheduling conflicts and organization. I have learned how difficult it can be at times to schedule field dates or meetings, and the importance of utilizing technology tools with a group like a shared calendar. I have grown and learned a lot regarding communication, as well as labeling and the importance of organization in research. I have been assisted throughout this project by Dr. Speir, as well as my graduate student mentor, Caroline Ascombe, and Brynnen Beck, an undergraduate working on this project with me.
During my time working on this project, I was lucky enough to travel to two conferences out of state to present my research. I traveled with my lab group to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the summer of 2024 to the Society for Freshwater Science Conference where I presented a poster. Additionally, I travelled to San Antonio, Texas this Fall with a part of my lab and Brye’s lab to the Tri-Society’s Annual Meeting where I was able to do a virtual 15-minute presentation. Both of these opportunities were excellent ways to meet other students from other parts of the country, learn about neat research going on, and generally just expand my horizons. I have enjoyed working on an honors thesis during my time as an undergraduate because it gave me extremely valuable experience in research, and helped me to get a taste of what graduate school is like.
After I graduate in December, I plan to travel to Argentina, explore Patagonia, as well as participate in a medical mission trip in Africa. As far as future career plans, I am hoping to find an environmental job based out of Northwest Arkansas.
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