Diamond Lee
Saturday, May 14, 2011
NGWA 2011 Summit
I was invited to present my research on aquifer storage and recovery systems (ASR) at the NGWA 2011 summit in Baltimore, MD. I had been working on the research for two semesters when I was told I would be going to present the research and possibly recieve a scholarship.
I flew to Baltimore and stayed in the Hyatt hotel, where the conference was being held. I was scheduled to present the first and second day. However, I had to inform my judge that my poster had missed the plane, but would be there for the second day of presentations. He was very understanding and I was able to present my research the second day. Everyone was very impressed that an undergraduate was able to carry out the research and actually understand what it was trying to solve.
Unfortunately I did not recieve the scholarship, but it was a very beneficial opportunity for myself. I was able to gain experience presenting and knowledge by attending the different classes they offered on ASR systems.
I flew to Baltimore and stayed in the Hyatt hotel, where the conference was being held. I was scheduled to present the first and second day. However, I had to inform my judge that my poster had missed the plane, but would be there for the second day of presentations. He was very understanding and I was able to present my research the second day. Everyone was very impressed that an undergraduate was able to carry out the research and actually understand what it was trying to solve.
Unfortunately I did not recieve the scholarship, but it was a very beneficial opportunity for myself. I was able to gain experience presenting and knowledge by attending the different classes they offered on ASR systems.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Working with aquifers
Since my REU at University of Texas -Arlington, I was offered a job working with the CREST program at Texas A&M-Kingsville. I work with a graduate student using Microsoft Access and a program called PHREEQC, which is used to input the different elements in the water of the various aquifers. Then using this program we are able to virtually mix the water and see if the levels are safe to use for drinking and other things.
In May I will be going to Baltimore to present this research at a conference. I am somewhat nervous because I have to create a poster and speak in front of some very knowledgeable people. However, as seen in my previous blogs I was required to create a poster for the REU program, so I don't feel completely lost on that part of my job.
In May I will be going to Baltimore to present this research at a conference. I am somewhat nervous because I have to create a poster and speak in front of some very knowledgeable people. However, as seen in my previous blogs I was required to create a poster for the REU program, so I don't feel completely lost on that part of my job.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Back at Texas A&M Kingsville
In order to spread the knowledge that I gained from the REU program at UTA, I have applied with the Javelina Research Symposium. Also, Kai has scheduled a meeting with the Society of Women Engineers, in order to present our findings.
Resulting from my participation in the REU program, I was offered a research job with the environmental engineering department at my school. The professor which gave me the recommendation for the REU program, Dr. Uddameri, has hired me to work on a water resource project. I will be working with a graduate student.
The REU program has opened up opportunities for me that I would not have had the chance to do without the program.
Resulting from my participation in the REU program, I was offered a research job with the environmental engineering department at my school. The professor which gave me the recommendation for the REU program, Dr. Uddameri, has hired me to work on a water resource project. I will be working with a graduate student.
The REU program has opened up opportunities for me that I would not have had the chance to do without the program.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Coming Home
It was a very emotional last day. Everyone was packing and getting ready to leave. We were all asking each other "what time are you leaving?" and hoping we weren't going to be the last one. It was very sad, but at the same time we were ready for it to be over so we could see our family. Bittersweet, the perfect word to describe it. Saying goodbye to all the people I met this summer was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Especially, saying goodbye to Ryan, Giancarlo, and Arpita. Kai became my best friend, and I am SO glad that she is going to be going to Kingsville. Ryan also became a really good friend and unfortunately his is staying in Arlington and going to school at UTA. Arpita is a grad student at UTA, so she is definitely staying. Giancarlo is going to UTA and lives in Jamaica.
My dad came to pick me up around one thirty, with my brother. It was a long eight hour drive home, but it was worth every second spent in that crowded truck. We arrived home around nine thirty that evening; my mom was extatic to see me. I was able to actually show my family my work. I showed them my presentation; I think they were asleep by the end of it. I was so excited about my research, I told all my family and friends.
My dad came to pick me up around one thirty, with my brother. It was a long eight hour drive home, but it was worth every second spent in that crowded truck. We arrived home around nine thirty that evening; my mom was extatic to see me. I was able to actually show my family my work. I showed them my presentation; I think they were asleep by the end of it. I was so excited about my research, I told all my family and friends.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Reflection Paper
This summer I applied and was accepted into the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. I worked on the Air Dispersion Modeling project, where I helped plan for airborne terrorism releases in the Dallas downtown area. There were three other people working on the project with me, Kai Williams, Ryan Landrith, and Rachel Morrison. Kai and I were assigned as roommates so it was cool that we were on the same project. We introduced ourselves to Ryan and Rachel the day of orientation. I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the program as far as the research we were going to be doing. Once I got to Arlington I was given an overview of the work I was supposed to do. At first I felt a bit overwhelmed, but once the work actually started I felt comfortable and confident in what I was doing.
I was taught how to use Hotspot 2.07.1 to predict concentrations of radioactive substances following a potential terrorist attack. Before I could start using the program we had to learn how the Hotspot program came up with the outputs. Dr. Sattler, the professor that led my group, lectured on the calculations used and what air dispersion modeling involved. Also, an undergraduate student, Arpita Gandhi, helped to get me and the others familiar with the computer program. Once I learned the basics about the program I was ready to begin my trials. I modeled Strontium Chloride in several explosion and fire scenarios. I used different parameters in the scenarios in order to determine which would give me the worst case. I changed the wind speed between 1m/s and 6m/s. I also tested it with different stability classes. It was easy to find the worst case because of the charts and tables Hotspot was able to generate using the various inputs. I took the worst case, of the fire and of the explosion, and evaluated them for duration of one year. After evaluating my data, I compared my data to the others in my group. Strontium Chloride caused the minimal damage to the area we tested.
We also toured a cement plant, Holcim, in order to learn about the smoke stacks and what comes out of them. It was required by the plant to wear steel toes, a hard hat, and goggles. My size shoes were not available, so I was stuck with a pair that was about three sizes too big. When we arrived, we signed in and were taken to a conference room. There we listened to several people talk about Holcim and what they did. It was surprising to learn that the smoke that comes out of the plume was majority water. Finally, we were briefed on the safety regulations. Once all the forms were signed, we were taken on a tour of the facilities. The lab part of the plant was where they would test the cement to failure in order to determine the best way to make the cement. We were taken to the control room and shown how they monitor what part of the plant was active. They also took us to the top of the plume where we were able to see the surrounding plants. The area was full of limestone which is the key to having durable cement.
This program was beneficial to my career both academic and professional. I will be able to go back to my home school and share my knowledge on what I have learned and continue learning with others. Its given me insight into a possible future job opportunity working with air dispersion modeling. I am very excited to see what the next couple of years bring. I have expanded my social and professional network, friends I will keep for the rest of my life, not only the people in my group, but the entire program. Dr. Sattler has already offered her assistance for future internship opportunities.
Overall, this was an excellent program to be a part of during the summer. It provided me with a chance to learn how to conduct research and process the data collected. The only part of the program that was regretable was the unorganization, however, it was completely understandable and I know next summer will be better. I would reccomend this program to a number of people in my field, or wanting to get into my study area.
I was taught how to use Hotspot 2.07.1 to predict concentrations of radioactive substances following a potential terrorist attack. Before I could start using the program we had to learn how the Hotspot program came up with the outputs. Dr. Sattler, the professor that led my group, lectured on the calculations used and what air dispersion modeling involved. Also, an undergraduate student, Arpita Gandhi, helped to get me and the others familiar with the computer program. Once I learned the basics about the program I was ready to begin my trials. I modeled Strontium Chloride in several explosion and fire scenarios. I used different parameters in the scenarios in order to determine which would give me the worst case. I changed the wind speed between 1m/s and 6m/s. I also tested it with different stability classes. It was easy to find the worst case because of the charts and tables Hotspot was able to generate using the various inputs. I took the worst case, of the fire and of the explosion, and evaluated them for duration of one year. After evaluating my data, I compared my data to the others in my group. Strontium Chloride caused the minimal damage to the area we tested.
We also toured a cement plant, Holcim, in order to learn about the smoke stacks and what comes out of them. It was required by the plant to wear steel toes, a hard hat, and goggles. My size shoes were not available, so I was stuck with a pair that was about three sizes too big. When we arrived, we signed in and were taken to a conference room. There we listened to several people talk about Holcim and what they did. It was surprising to learn that the smoke that comes out of the plume was majority water. Finally, we were briefed on the safety regulations. Once all the forms were signed, we were taken on a tour of the facilities. The lab part of the plant was where they would test the cement to failure in order to determine the best way to make the cement. We were taken to the control room and shown how they monitor what part of the plant was active. They also took us to the top of the plume where we were able to see the surrounding plants. The area was full of limestone which is the key to having durable cement.
This program was beneficial to my career both academic and professional. I will be able to go back to my home school and share my knowledge on what I have learned and continue learning with others. Its given me insight into a possible future job opportunity working with air dispersion modeling. I am very excited to see what the next couple of years bring. I have expanded my social and professional network, friends I will keep for the rest of my life, not only the people in my group, but the entire program. Dr. Sattler has already offered her assistance for future internship opportunities.
Overall, this was an excellent program to be a part of during the summer. It provided me with a chance to learn how to conduct research and process the data collected. The only part of the program that was regretable was the unorganization, however, it was completely understandable and I know next summer will be better. I would reccomend this program to a number of people in my field, or wanting to get into my study area.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Research Log 7/2/2010 to 8/10/2010
2 July 2010, Friday
Orientation day - met with Dr. Yazdani and got a brief description of the different projects
introduced to the other participants and professors
overview of the facilities
REU purpose and outcome described
6 July 2010, Tuesday
Met with Dr. Sattler at 10:30am in Rm 414 to discuss what we wanted to model in the Hotspot 2.07.1 program
given and went over two handouts of power point on air pollution
7 July 2010, Wednesday
Met with Dr. Sattler at 9am went over handout of power point on air pollution meteorology and a handout of the Gaussian Dispersion model
Read chpt. 5 in the Practical Guide to Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling by D. Bruce Turner, CCM and Richard H. Schulze, P.E., QEP
8 July 2010, Thursday
Met with Dr.Sattler at 10:30am
brought laptops after lunch in order to start working in the Hotspot program
Met graduate student assistant, Arpita Gandhi, who introduced us to the Hotspot program
9 July 2010, Friday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
went over power point of "plume rise" and "methods of determining dispersion parameters sigma y and sigma z"
12 July 2010, Monday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
went over power point on "air pollution meteorology - winds"
13 July 2010, Tuesday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
lectured on air pollution
14 July 2010, Wednesday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
lecture covered inversion layers, first order chemical rxns, settling, wet and dry deposition, averaging time changes
15 July 2010, Thursday
Met with Sattler 8:30am - 12pm, given articles to read in order to determine parameters
Ethics workshop 1:30pm - 4:00pm
16 July 2010, Friday
Met with Sattler 1pm - 3pm, lecture
19 July 2010, Monday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
researched TEDE levels
explosion scenarios
20 July 2010, Tuesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
explosion scenarios
21 July 2010, Wednesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
explosion scenarios
22 July 2010, Thursday
Took a tour of the Holcim Cement Plant 8:30am - 3:00pm
23 July 2010, Friday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
evaluating inputs for explosion
26 July 2010, Monday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
fire scenarios
27 July 2010, Tuesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
fire scenarios
28 July 2010, Wednesday
9am - 11:25am work with Hotspot
REU Assessment 12pm -1pm
29 July 2010, Thursday
Research Training workshop 9am - 3pm, Rady Room
30 July 2010, Friday
9am - 3pm, worked on Hotspot models
11am, met with Dr. Sattler to discuss progress of the project
2 August 2010, Monday
9am - 2pm, finalizing parameters and organized the comparative tables of data, discussed final presentation
3 August 2010, Tuesday
9am - 2pm, worked from home on slides for presentation
4 August 2010, Wednesday
9am - 11am, worked on combining slides for final presentation
11am - 1pm, watched "Garbage: The Movie" Rm 100 in Nedderman
1:30pm - 3pm, continued working on final presentation
4pm, worked on poster
5 August 2010, Thursday
9am - 3pm, cleaned up the final presentation
worked on poster and reflection paper
6 August 2010, Friday
9am - 12pm, Designed web page for the REU program
1pm, cleaned up final presentation
2pm, met with Dr. Sattler, ran through the presentation and received feed back from Dr. Sattler
7 August 2010, Saturday
finished and submitted poster to Dr. Yazdani
worked on reflection paper
9 August 2010, Monday
finalize presentation for 8/10
finish working on the deliverables for the REU program
10 August 2010, Tuesday
Summer End workshop 9am - 3pm
Orientation day - met with Dr. Yazdani and got a brief description of the different projects
introduced to the other participants and professors
overview of the facilities
REU purpose and outcome described
6 July 2010, Tuesday
Met with Dr. Sattler at 10:30am in Rm 414 to discuss what we wanted to model in the Hotspot 2.07.1 program
given and went over two handouts of power point on air pollution
7 July 2010, Wednesday
Met with Dr. Sattler at 9am went over handout of power point on air pollution meteorology and a handout of the Gaussian Dispersion model
Read chpt. 5 in the Practical Guide to Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling by D. Bruce Turner, CCM and Richard H. Schulze, P.E., QEP
8 July 2010, Thursday
Met with Dr.Sattler at 10:30am
brought laptops after lunch in order to start working in the Hotspot program
Met graduate student assistant, Arpita Gandhi, who introduced us to the Hotspot program
9 July 2010, Friday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
went over power point of "plume rise" and "methods of determining dispersion parameters sigma y and sigma z"
12 July 2010, Monday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
went over power point on "air pollution meteorology - winds"
13 July 2010, Tuesday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
lectured on air pollution
14 July 2010, Wednesday
Met with Dr. Sattler 9am to 2pm
lecture covered inversion layers, first order chemical rxns, settling, wet and dry deposition, averaging time changes
15 July 2010, Thursday
Met with Sattler 8:30am - 12pm, given articles to read in order to determine parameters
Ethics workshop 1:30pm - 4:00pm
16 July 2010, Friday
Met with Sattler 1pm - 3pm, lecture
19 July 2010, Monday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
researched TEDE levels
explosion scenarios
20 July 2010, Tuesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
explosion scenarios
21 July 2010, Wednesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
explosion scenarios
22 July 2010, Thursday
Took a tour of the Holcim Cement Plant 8:30am - 3:00pm
23 July 2010, Friday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
evaluating inputs for explosion
26 July 2010, Monday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
fire scenarios
27 July 2010, Tuesday
Hotspot modeling 9am - 2pm
fire scenarios
28 July 2010, Wednesday
9am - 11:25am work with Hotspot
REU Assessment 12pm -1pm
29 July 2010, Thursday
Research Training workshop 9am - 3pm, Rady Room
30 July 2010, Friday
9am - 3pm, worked on Hotspot models
11am, met with Dr. Sattler to discuss progress of the project
2 August 2010, Monday
9am - 2pm, finalizing parameters and organized the comparative tables of data, discussed final presentation
3 August 2010, Tuesday
9am - 2pm, worked from home on slides for presentation
4 August 2010, Wednesday
9am - 11am, worked on combining slides for final presentation
11am - 1pm, watched "Garbage: The Movie" Rm 100 in Nedderman
1:30pm - 3pm, continued working on final presentation
4pm, worked on poster
5 August 2010, Thursday
9am - 3pm, cleaned up the final presentation
worked on poster and reflection paper
6 August 2010, Friday
9am - 12pm, Designed web page for the REU program
1pm, cleaned up final presentation
2pm, met with Dr. Sattler, ran through the presentation and received feed back from Dr. Sattler
7 August 2010, Saturday
finished and submitted poster to Dr. Yazdani
worked on reflection paper
9 August 2010, Monday
finalize presentation for 8/10
finish working on the deliverables for the REU program
10 August 2010, Tuesday
Summer End workshop 9am - 3pm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)