Ryan Owens

Evaluation of the Effect of Vegetation Sources on Smith Lake Biodegradable  Dissolved  Organic  Carbon (BDOC)

UAF Sophomore
B.S. Chemistry
Hometown: Palmer, Alaska

Ryan at Smith Lake collecting filtered lake water. The water will be analyzed in the lab for absorbance and fluorescence of organic matter, providing some context for the project.
Ryan at Smith Lake collecting filtered lake water. The water will be analyzed in the lab for absorbance and fluorescence of organic matter, providing some context for the project.

 

Ryan is a Summer 2023 Student Project Award recipient.

Under the mentorship of Emily Peterson, CNSM Graduate Student, and Dr. Sarah Ellen Johnston, Assistant Professor of Environmental Chemistry, Ryan's  research analyzes different sources of organic material present in and around Smith Lake to determine how these sources are influencing the productivity of the lake.

 

 

How is your project going so far this semester? 

My project has been going well. I enjoy the work that I’m doing and have been able to learn a lot about not just my particular project, but research in general.

Ryan in the lab filtering leachate solutions to 0.2 microns. This removes any microbial community that would consume the organic matter in the sample.
Ryan in the lab filtering leachate solutions to 0.2 microns. This removes any microbial community that would consume the organic matter in the sample.

How did you find out about URSA and what encouraged you to submit an application for funding?

 I’m not sure how exactly I heard about URSA. I suppose it’s one of those things on campus that’s so well advertised that it would be difficult to not know about it. I applied for URSA funding because I was given the opportunity to stay in Fairbanks and work in a professor’s lab over the summer, but I needed to bring in some external funding to make this possible from a financial standpoint.

How does your URSA project relate to your career or personal goals?

I’m really fascinated with aquatic and marine science, and this URSA project has further solidified my interest in this aspect of environmental science. Knowing this, I intend to further my degree with a focus on this field.

If you could share one piece of advice with students interested in pursuing URSA in the future, what would you say?

I would say that, if possible, you should work with someone who will give you some freedom with your project. I think it’s important to be able to make mistakes and correct them on your own.