Kira Harris is a recent BS graduate (Spring 2020) from SES advised by Audrey Sawyer. She is now a graduate student at the University of Arizona in the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research. Here, Kira shares how Friends of Orton Hall helped her further her studies.
From 2017 to 2020, I worked with Dr. Audrey Sawyer to study the relationships between sediment properties, river morphology, and hyporheic exchange. My research at OSU consisted of performing grain size analyses on over 50 sediment samples from a single alpine river meander, along with analyzing ground-penetrating radar data taken of the riverbed. In addition to my thesis research, I also worked as an Education and Outreach Intern at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, where I curated content for the NSF-funded project titled Virtual Ice Explorer, as well as creating virtual reality tours that allow the public to immerse themselves in the research and expeditions carried out by Byrd Center scientists.
Thanks to the funding from Friends of Orton Hall and my advisors, I presented two posters at the 2019 AGU Fall Meeting that showcase my work in these different fields. Because of these two research projects, I was able to interact with conference participants for twice the amount of time that just one poster would allow. Sharing both research projects will not only double the face time, it will also help me refine my research with the School of Earth Sciences and the Byrd Center, as well as equip me with critical communication skills that will benefit me as I pursue academia. I would like to thank FOH and my advisors for providing the funding that will allow me to have this experience to further my career in Earth Sciences!
The School of Earth Sciences relies on the generous support of our alumni and friends to provide programs, scholarships and facilities that enrich the experience of our students, provide life-changing opportunities, and enable world-changing discoveries. The Friends of Orton Hall gifts are distributed to students in support of degree research work. If you are interested in giving to support the Friends of Orton Hall or other funds, please visit our giving page.