Latest News (Aug 2024) - Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences

Gooch completes internship at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

August 29, 2024

Emilee Gooch, a double major in Environmental Science and Fisheries & Wildlife Management, spent more than two months this summer as an intern with the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. During that time as a wildlife biology intern, she participated in a wide range of activities from aquatic management and fish trapping to vegetation sampling and wildlife surveying, to hydrological monitoring and environmental outreach. She also wrote regular blog postings detailing her experiences and reflections. Emilee immersed herself in learning and returned to campus well poised to make the most of her senior year.

A highlight for Emilee was learning to survey waterfowl and shorebirds. She reflected that, “Participating in the banding of a variety of avian species was by far my favorite thing I got to experience, and the skills gained were invaluable.” She followed up by observing as follows:  “My biggest takeaway from this experience is the importance of going into every experience with an open-mind and willing attitude. By saying yes to every opportunity offered, I feel I gained the most I could from this experience.”

Emilee concluded, “thanks to this internship I can truly say I feel much more prepared for what the future may hold, from graduate school to a job. Having the chance to learn field skills every day while also observing professionals…at work, I have a much better idea now of what a career in this field may entail and the types of skills necessary to be successful. I now have a stronger understanding of the different types of careers available when working for either the federal government or a nonprofit organization. I am extremely grateful to have experienced all parts of this internship, from the field work to the visitor services and outreach, and I believe it has been invaluable.” Emilee appreciates all that the internship opportunity provided and the experiences and connections she gained.

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NMU Hoop House honored as 2024 Student Organization of the Year

August 26, 2024

At the 2024 Leadership Recognition Banquet Awards in April the Hoop House Student Organization was recognized as the Student Organization of the Year. EEGS alumna Maddy Humphrey (BS '21 Environmental Studies and Sustainability) worked at the NMU Hoop House for her Freshman Fellowship project, and launched the Hoop House Student Organization in Fall 2018. After Maddy graduated, Mary Kelly (BS '24 Environmental Science) assumed the leadership role, ultimately training co-leaders to help ensure a smooth transition after she completed her degree.

The mission of the NMU Hoop House is to serve as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food. The Hoop House is a student-led venture—welcoming to all who wish to share their expertise or learn how to plant a seed, harvest a cucumber, or make a batch of pickles or soup. 

Co-leader Madison Carico explained, “There is no other space on campus as inclusive and inspiring as the Hoop House. Welcoming to any student who wishes to learn more about the ins and outs of gardening, food sovereignty, and the bountiful relationship of a positive community, the Hoop House quickly became my favorite campus organization after my first visit.”

Claire Llewellyn, another co-leader, commented, “The Hoop House has brought me a sense of community that I was looking for when I transferred to NMU. I got to meet other wonderful people that were passionate about sustainability and gardening.”

May 2024 graduate Mary Kelly summed it up as follows: “The Hoop House…contributes to the University’s sustainability goals, exposes students to careers in agriculture and food systems, and provides a space for NMU and Marquette community members to engage in local food sovereignty. The Hoop House is also a creative place, both artistically and agriculturally. Opportunities to experiment with different irrigation, tomato trellising, and soil remediation methods (among many others!) regularly transform the Hoop House into an active learning classroom. As a co-leader of the Hoop House, getting to interact with diverse groups of people each week and learning by doing makes this group one of the most rewarding at NMU.” 

Students who want to join should register for the Hoop House on The Hub. Members of the community are welcome to compost their food scraps at the Hoop House or email hoophouse@nmu.edu to find out how they can volunteer with gardening.

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Lafuente begins two-year term Assistant Professor appointment

August 13, 2024

Dr. Angela Lafuente begins a two-year term appointment in the EEGS Department as an adjunct Assistant Professor. Dr. Lafuente hails from Spain. She recently completed a postdoctoral research position at Michigan Technological University for which she investigated the movement of carbon through the soil and atmosphere and the storage of carbon in peatlands of South America. Sites of her research on global change, fluxes of greenhouse gases, and soil ecology range from the tropics (Colombian Andes and Peruvian Amazon) through the middle latitudes (wetland restoration in the U.P.) to the Arctic (peatland ecology in Finland). This semester Dr. Lafuente will share her knowledge and passion for these topics while teaching GC 202 Soils and GC 465 Hydrology. We welcome Dr. Lafuente to Marquette and know that she will appreciate the colorful fall foliage as she explores new landscapes with her camera in hand. Then expect to see her out skiing (downhill and cross country) as soon as the snow flies.

Where are you from?

I am from Spain. I was born and raised in Madrid, however my family comes from Huesca in northern Spain. As a child we travelled every summer to Huesca and the Pyrenees and I feel like I am from Huesca.

What is your academic background?

I studied Biology in Madrid, Spain and then specialized in Ecology and Biotechnology. After graduating I moved to Sweden where I completed a four-month master course in Arctic Ecosystems. Then I moved to Barcelona, Spain to complete a Master of Science in Oceanography. After finishing my M.Sc., I moved to Finland where I started working with greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes and climate change in boreal peatlands. After a year and a half in Finland I moved back to Madrid, Spain to start a PhD.

What is something especially interesting that you’ve learned from your research?

When I started my Ph.D. I learned about biological soil crusts or biocrusts (communities of fungi, lichens, cyanobacteria, bryophytes, algae, bacteria, and archaea that live in the top few centimeters of the soil). Learning how much life you can find in the top few centimeters of dryland soils and the key roles that biocrusts play in carbon and nitrogen cycling is amazing.

What led you to this two-year term position at NMU?

I moved from Spain to Houghton four years ago as a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan Tech. I have been working on soil–atmosphere carbon fluxes and carbon storage in peatlands from the Colombian Andes and Peruvian Amazon. I really enjoy teaching and sharing my passion for the topic with others. This two-year position at NMU allows me to teach soils (one of my favorite classes when I was a student) and continue to enjoy living in the UP.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love being outdoors (for work and outside of work!) and spending time with friends and my dog. In the summer I love riding my bike and I volunteer on bike events as a bike patroller. I started paddle boarding last summer and when it gets hot I love paddle boarding with my dog and exploring rivers and lakes. I also love hiking mountains.

In the winter I always have a pair of skis with me. Some days I will cross country ski in the morning before going to work and then downhill ski after work. I also volunteer as a ski patroller at Mont Ripley in Houghton.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

I used to pursue photography but I have not been taking pictures lately. My goal this fall is to get my camera out again.

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Mital is fifth Senior Success Advisor to join “Team Science”

August 13, 2024

In her role as a Senior Success Advisor for the Physical and Natural Sciences Cluster, Jennifer Mital (pronounced ME-tall) will advise students in EEGS, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. To this position Jen brings extensive experience as a high school teacher, coach, and advisor. Jen and her family relocated to Marquette County after being captivated by the natural beauty of the U.P. and a thriving downtown Marquette. Before students arrived for Fall 2024 began, Jen shared the following background information to help us get to know her:

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and lived briefly near St. Louis after graduating college; however, for the past eighteen years I've called the Quad Cities, near the Iowa / Illinois border and the mighty Mississippi River, my home.

Describe the pathway that led you to your position as a Success Advisor at NMU. 

I have enjoyed teaching high school English for the past twenty four years, coaching volleyball, and sponsoring various student clubs like NHS, FCA, and environmental clubs.  I've always enjoyed interacting one on one with students, so this transition to an advising role seemed like a logical and natural next step for my career and personality as a helper. Living in the beautifully wild UP and advising NMU students is really a dream come true for me.

What are you looking forward to most in this position?

Getting to know the students and helping them thrive at NMU—academically and holistically. I’m really excited to be part of their success. I look forward to connecting students with resources to help them grow. I am also happy to be part of the NMU community. 

What would you like students to know about you?

Although my academic background is in English Education, Educational Administration, and Clinical Mental Health, I love the sciences. I want students to know that I am their advocate and am here to help. They can ask me questions about school, life, and the future. When they meet with me they can expect a smile, support, and encouragement so that they can be productive and happy in life.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am an outdoor enthusiast and try to spend as much in the natural world as possible. When I’m not at work, I am fishing, kayaking, or hiking with my family. I look forward to rock climbing, skiing Marquette Mountain, and exploring the area’s cross country skiing trails. I also enjoy writing, research, and gardening.  

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Abbott serves as Senior Success Advisor on “Team Science”

August 13, 2024

In January 2024, Ruth Abbott joined Team Science as a Senior Success Advisor for the Physical and Natural Sciences Cluster. Ruth previously worked in the Olson Library, so she had experience working with NMU undergraduates. Before taking that position, Ruth earned her Master of Arts in English at NMU. We checked in with Ruth after she had completed her first semester of advising:

Where are you from?

I’m originally from a small town in rural southwestern Michigan. I studied English and Education at Michigan State University. Then I taught high school for three years before moving to Mexico. There I spent a decade in a village with 1,000 residents learning their language and developing transition primers to help them learn Spanish. While there I developed an interest in medicinal plants. Later, I pursued a series of positions at the College of the Marshall Islands, including instructor, dean, and accreditation officer. I’ve lived almost two decades overseas. In 2017-18, I moved back to Michigan and made my way to Marquette for graduate school.

Describe the pathway that led you to your position as a Success Advisor at NMU.

I like working with students, especially First Generation students. When I worked in the Olson Library, I enjoyed working with and talking to students. I was excited when I heard about this position because it allowed me to know and work with even more students. I’m very pleased to be advising science students in particular because I started my college career studying marine biology.

What are the most rewarding parts of your job?

Helping students make their way through Northern is a highlight. I get energized talking with students and getting to know them.

What would you like students to know about you?

I’m a student too. I am pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), so I can empathize. I actively support first-generation college students. I want students to feel free to ask all those academic culture questions. I’ll find the answer if I don’t know it.

Another fun fact is that I was part of the Youth Conservation Corps in Hiawatha National Forest when I was 16. I have lots of books to identify birds, trees, rocks and other aspects of nature. In the evenings you can often find me on the beach rockhounding and looking for agates and Yooperlites.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like pioneer crafts such as spinning and weaving. I appreciate the sustainability of using natural fibers and dyes, so I try to use these materials as much as possible. Since sustainability is a theme, an adjacent interest is working to lower the cost of attending college. One way I do that is to support the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER).

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

I am trying to learn GIS (Geographic Information Systems). As part of my MFA I am locating and writing about unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Marshall Islands. I want to map where the people are compared to where the unexploded bombs and other ordnance are to increase safety. Maybe you’ll see me in the GIS/RS Lab creating a map.

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Culbert Joins Superior National Forest Staff

August 13, 2024

Scott Culbert (BS, Environmental Science, 2019) is now a forest ecologist and climate change coordinator with the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. Superior National Forest covers three million acres, making it is the largest national forest east of the Mississippi.

Culbert will provide ecological and climate change expertise and training, as well as developing partnership agreements and research permits. He also contributes to the Minnesota Research Reader and Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory.

Please visit Northern Today to learn more about Scott.

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