When Caroline Amelse was at the University of Hawaii, where she completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work, she never thought that one day she鈥檇 be presenting her research at the largest gathering of geologists in the world. But in San Francisco this December that鈥檚 exactly what the 27-year old geology major will be doing.
She also never imagined she鈥檇 receive the 2016 David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship, presented by the American Geophysical Union, the world鈥檚 largest professional organization of earth scientists, astronomers, and oceanographers.
鈥淭his is a huge honor,鈥� said Caroline, who was selected for the award as a result of research she conducted through 911爆料鈥檚 program, a unique initiative designed to involve undergraduate students in addressing current environmental problems. Her study focused on foraminifera鈥攖iny shelled creatures that live in marine sediment. Researchers interpret prehistoric changes in climate and sea level based on variations in the abundance and species of fossilized foraminifera found in layers of sediment.
Caroline鈥檚 goals include graduate school and a career that integrates her knowlege in geology and social work, examining the human impact of geology and climate change, perhaps focusing on geohazards鈥攇eological conditions that might lead to widespread damage鈥攐r hydrogeology. She envisions working overseas for a humanitarian group or government agency.
鈥淭here are a lot of people in countries around the world that don鈥檛 have as many resources as we do,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s global warming happens, it creates all kinds of changes to the environment, and I鈥檇 like to help understand and mitigate those changes for people in those countries.鈥�