My Story!
I am a water resources, mining, and geotechnical engineering research assistant at Colorado State University. I recently finished the last semester of my civil engineering undergraduate degree (B.S.) with the hope of continuing my education to learn more about our planet and its natural resources, while applying that knowledge to engineering design practices.
I have experience in the consulting industry and research/academia. I was introduced to research methods in a government setting while interning at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Geotechnical Laboratory. The next fall, I began working with a graduate student under my fluid mechanics professor to set up and run experiments measuring hydraulic conductivity in soils and geotextile fabrics lining irrigation canals. I continued to develop my research skills in CSU’s GeoEnvironmental Laboratory, where I performed property tests for a soil moisture sensing project.
My interest in water resources engineering continued to grow. I interned with Bohannan Huston, a civil engineering firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I contributed to a pilot project installing green stormwater infrastructure in a local neighborhood that dealt with frequent flooding. The opportunity to interact with the community as an engineer taught me the importance of designing solutions for people and the planet. Another consulting internship this past summer has given me confidence drafting in Civil3D and understanding the engineering design process. This semester, I am back in the GeoEnvironmental Lab. I am developing hydrologic models to understand the interactions between tailings (mine waste) facilities and atmospheric constituents and performing lab tests when needed.
In addition to my research work and career aspirations, I am first a student with a love for learning. My favorite classes have all related to how engineering designs interact with the natural environment. I have developed an understanding of water movement through fluid and river mechanics, and hydraulics. Undergraduate and graduate level hydrology courses have piqued my interest in the global water cycle and atmospheric dynamics. Water quality modeling and groundwater engineering have given me the basic tools to address issues like contaminant transport that threaten ecosystem health and our clean water supply.
Water engineering and atmospheric science were never paths I considered in high school; however, invaluable mentors and professors have sparked my passion in these critical fields. Thoughts of majoring in architecture quickly transitioned to civil engineering as I realized the impact of infrastructure on people’s lives. Experiencing the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and the Covid-19 Pandemic as I began my first year of college enhanced my understanding of the relationship between public and environmental health, and climate change. Ash and particulates from the wildfire threatened the Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins’ primary water sources. It is essential to understand the impacts of wildfire because all ecosystems, natural and man-made, are interconnected. Researching wildfire impact brings together my interests in river geomorphology, water/air quality, forest ecology, snowpack characteristics, and more.
My current goal is to pursue a graduate degree related to these fields. I am seeking opportunities to dive into the science behind civil engineering and apply this knowledge to create positive social and environmental change. I hope to be a part of research that enhances our understanding of water, weather, and climate challenges, while simultaneously developing solutions that can be put into practice in the consulting industry and government sector.