Cohort 1 (2021-23)
Cohort 1 students each presented research posters at the OSU Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) Showcase on May 18th, 2023.
Fire and Ice
Mentors: Jennifer Hutchings & Kenneth Hughes
Genevieve Sauret (she/her)
Major: Geology
Why ARC-Learn? ARC-Learn is the perfect way to get involved in research in a subject I was passionate about with dedicated mentors and peers who shared similar interests. I was excited to learn more about and study the Arctic. Additionally, I wanted to gain skills such as coding, teamwork, and scientific writing. Research has always been something I wanted to do, and ARC-Learn has allowed me to work on something that I truly care about.
Areas of science interest: Geology with a focus on glaciology, ice-shelf stability, global sea-level rise, climate change
Research project: My project is titled Bathymetry and Ocean Current Mapping Around the Lomonosov Ridge. The Lomonosov Ridge rises up thousands of meters from the ocean floor in places and has a noticeable impact on temperature and ocean current circulation. I will be trying to estimate how these effects impact sea ice distribution.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Cheyenne Yost (she/her)
Major: Geology
Why ARC-Learn? To gain a better understanding of research and expand my experience.
Areas of science interest: Volcanology, climatology, natural Hazards
Research Project: I am looking at explosive eruptions - both global and regional - in recent years, and comparing eruptions to sea ice extent. By using the eruption date and emission info I will look to see if sea ice coverage and thickness changes after the eruption(s) to determine if there is a correlation between the eruption and arctic sea ice.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Marine Heat Waves and Ecosystem Impacts
Mentors: Emily Hayden, Laurie Juranek
Ella Carpenter (she/her)
Major: Environmental Sciences
Why ARC-Learn? I have been wanting to learn more about the Arctic, especially in an interactive setting, and was excited to be involved in research. The timeline of this program was also a big factor in my decision, it allows for flexibility and a more in-depth understanding of the research we are doing.
Areas of science interest: Marine biology, climate science, intersections of atmospheric and marine processes
Research project: Impacts of marine heatwaves on nutrient availability in the Bering Strait: My research group is focussing on how marine heatwaves have influenced various biotic and abiotic processes in the Bering Strait region of the Arctic, and my focus is on nutrient availability, specifically nitrate concentrations.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Helena Rocha (she/her)
Major: Biology (marine biology option)
Why ARC-Learn? It sounded like an interesting and great opportunity!
Areas of science interest: Mollusks (specifically snails and octopus), ecosystem conservation and education
Research project: My research is looking at how populations of ringed seals near the Bering Sea are affected by changes in temperature and ice levels.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Kacper Kardasz
Major: Environmental Sciences
Why ARC-Learn? I have always been interested in Earth's Arctic regions and pursue research in this area. ARC-Learn has been a great opportunity for me to explore the region through interdisciplinary topics and make new connections as to how the Arctic is changing ecologically, geographically, and socio-culturally.
Areas of science interest: Geospatial patterns, physical and biological oceanography, climate science, and ecological indicators.
Research Project: My project has specifically been looking at the change in seabird species distribution patterns in the Bering Sea over several years. I believe that assessing how seabirds have responded to ecosystem impacts in the past, such as marine heat waves, could help better understand how fisheries are impacted as well, and provide insight as to how Arctic ecosystems are changing and adapting to increased human and climate impacts.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Changing Coastlines
Mentors: Yvette Spitz, Natasha Christman
Vincent Von Lau (he/him)
Major: Climate Science
Why ARC-Learn? It seemed like a great way to fit in some research experience without having to worry about time constraints.
Areas of science interest: Climate related policy, reduction of mass animal agriculture, jailing of oil executives (half joking)
Research project: Evolution of North Slope Radiative Forcing due to Changes in Soil Temperature. I'm looking into the link between certain Alaskan biomasses and the soil temperature. As the active layer (around 10 cm deep) begins to warm quicker and earlier, certain plant life begins to crop up in larger numbers than usually. Alaskan wetland areas are more prone to radiative forcing than the Uplands, so an increase in wetland area could lead to larger increases of radiative forcing.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Sarah Fulford (she/her)
Major: Geography & Geospatial Systems
Why ARC-Learn? I have loved the arctic since I was a kid, and I know how fragile the environment is and how it needs our help to reverse issues we caused.
Areas of science interest: Geography, sustainability, geology, ecology, human-environment interaction
Research project: The project is centered around comparing the changes of the Sag, Elson, and Kaktovik river deltas along the north Alaskan coastline. I will be assessing information on river discharge, delta size and the compositional change over the last 30 years and whether there has been an higher increase in negative changes in the Sag river, since that one runs along the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Lauren Hanley (she/her)
Major: Environmental Science and Geography
Why ARC-Learn? The ARC-Learn program seemed like a great way to learn about the process of research in a setting outside of the classroom. The long-term timeline and the freedom to design your own research project seemed really appealing to me. Additionally, I was very interested in learning more about the Arctic region and applications of what I am studying.
Areas of science interest: Natural resource management, GIS, conservation.
Research Project: I am researching permafrost thaw and its implications on coastal communities and infrastructure. I am interested in identifying areas at high-risk or permafrost thaw and looking to learn how to identify on a map the communities that are the most at-risk.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Harmful Algal Blooms
Mentor: Laurie Juranek
Amanda Kent (she/her)
Major: Oceanography
Why ARC-Learn? I have a growing interest in polar oceanography and it was a great opportunity for me to be able to learn more about and study current polar issues.
Areas of science interest: Zooplankton (krill), phytoplankton (harmful algal species), zooplankton - phytoplankton dynamics
Research project: I am studying a specific harmful phytoplankton species called Alexandrium catenella that is known to lay dormant in colder ocean sediments for potentially thousands of years. Due to rising global temperatures, they are becoming more abundant and a growing issue to surrounding ecosystems and fishing communities in Alaska as they produce a neurotoxin called saxitoxin that can cause paralysis or death. I am hoping to see if the prescence of the saxitoxin in ocean systems affect zooplankton grazing rates.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Kelsey Winters (she/her)
Major: Environmental Sciences
Why ARC-Learn? I didn't really know anything about the Arctic, but I was interested in getting hands-on experience with research on climate change. Once I learned that the program was going to be more student-led with support from faculty members, and that we would have time to learn and develop skills to help with the research process, I decided to enroll!
Areas of science interest: Environmental chemistry, environmental forensics, environmental toxicology, ecology, geographic information science (GIS)
Research project: I am looking at past bloom events in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea near Alaska to see what conditions were like at the time of the algal blooms. Using these past bloom events, I can compare temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient levels to determine if there is a common trend between them.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Rachael Durr
Major: Ocean Science
Why ARC-Learn? I had taken a polar oceanography course that I really enjoyed and upon seeing the program description, I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn more about the field while also gaining research experience.
Areas of science interest: Marine geology, harmful algal blooms, biogeochemistry, and physical oceanography
Research project: Harmful algal blooms are commonly determined by the high level of chlorophyll. Barrow Canyon, Alaska contains a large cyst bed of Alexandrium catenella, a toxic species that has the potential to awaken due to warming waters and ocean currents changing. Upwelling has shown to be increasing in frequency and intensity, as well as disturbing sediments where algal cysts are found. There is high opportunity for these algal cysts to become exposed to conditions that could potentially awaken them. My research included finding the number of upwelling events and the time of their occurrence to see if there is correlation between them and chlorophyll concentrations.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Christian Noll (he/him)
Major: Oceanography
Why ARC-Learn? To gain practical experience in the research process, to expand my knowledge of the Arctic, and make connections with peers and faculty with similar interests.
Areas of science interest: Marine nitrogen and carbon cycling, harmful algal blooms, domoic acid, and species interactions between phytoplankton and zooplankton
Research Project: I am investigating the potential for domoic acid to alter the flow of nitrogen in the phytoplankton —> zooplankton —> fish food chain. This may explain the advantage of producing domoic acid, as it could indirectly reduce herbivory on the diatoms which produce the toxin. In lieu of tank experiments, I am constructing an ecological model to provide theoretical support for my hypothesis.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Changing Primary Productivity
Mentor: Miguel Goni
Chandra La (she/her)
Major: Environmental Sciences
Why ARC-Learn? I joined ARC-Learn for more experience with the scientific process and data handling! I also wanted to learn more about Polar science.
Areas of science interest: Sustainability and conservation, ocean science, and ecology
Research project: Investigating the limits and controls on primary productivity in Pacific Arctic waters.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Demi Vasquez (she/her)
Major: Environmental Sciences
Why ARC-Learn? To understand current arctic challenges and learn how different communities are being affected by climate change.
Areas of science interest: marine ecology, invertebrate biology, microorganisms, polar science, ocean science, animal science, evolutionary science, conservation biology
Research project: I am looking into zooplankton abundances, whether they are increasing or decreasing and possible factors affecting abundances in the Chukchi or Bering Sea.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence 2023 Research Poster
Sierra Smith (she/her)
Major: Marine biology
Why ARC-Learn? A professor of mine recommended it to me, it sounded very cool and the stretched out workload was very reasonable for my schedule.
Areas of science interest: I really like phytoplankton!! As well as the larger systems of ecology. I’ve been really interested in ice algae so ARC-Learn has been perfect for me to explore that field.
Research project: As temperatures increase and ice concentrations thin we are seeing higher rates of disease in phytoplankton and ice algae communities. I want to take previous recorded data of variables such as temp, ice concentration, and nutrient levels to make assumptions on the primary producer community and their stress/how vulnerable phytoplankton are to diseases and how this in turn effects the overall arctic community.
See Cohort 2 (2022-2024) Students
Return to ARC-Learn page