The 2024 Research in the Rotunda featured 16 Freshwater Collaborative-funded research projects. Students shared more about their experience.
Student: Anna Bowman
University: UW-Parkside
Major: Geosciences
Expected graduation date: Summer 2024
Mentor: Zhaohui (George) Li
Summarize the research and your role.
This specific research project was to test the dye-removal capacity of dolomite and heat-treated dolomite. Our findings were that heat-treated dolomite performed significantly better than raw dolomite. I was Dr. Li’s (my faculty advisor) research assistant.
What skills did you learn?
Throughout this project, I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with others — whether coordinating schedules to make sure we set up and take off our samples at the right times, or (through Research in the Rotunda) explaining our research results in less technical terms. I’ve also learned how to use different kinds of lab equipment: centrifuge, x-ray diffractor, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR for short), just to name a few.
What has been your favorite part about this experience?
Personally, my favorite part about this project was literally seeing how well each test (pH, ionic strength, temperature, and time) performed. Since we used dyes, we could see how dark or light the solution was before and after centrifuging and filtering. Sometimes, the raw dolomite wouldn’t be very effective, but it would make a pretty purple solution.
What are some of the opportunities you’ve had because of this research?
Some opportunities I have had because of this research are the chances to present at other conferences, namely the National Conference for Undergraduate Research and the Parkside Student Showcase, both in April.
What kind of career do you hope to go into after graduation?
After graduation, I’m thinking of pursuing graduate school for something water related (not sure if I want to go into hydrology or hydrogeology yet).
How will this experience help you attain your career goals?
I believe this experience will help in the future. Right now, I’m thinking about working in a geology/ environmental geosciences lab, so this will definitely give me a head start. Even if I don’t end up working in a lab, I’ll know how to work well with others.