Environmental Science MS
ENSCI Student Attends CSU Water Conference
Mary Snook, a current Environmental Science Master’s student, attended the CSU Water Conference this past year. She is also completing a thesis project as part of her thesis degree requirement. When not in the classroom, Mary can be found working in the Jue Lab or mentoring students in the National Human Genome Research Institute GREAT Scholars Training Program in Genomics, a program that aims to train undergraduate students for careers in genomics.
We recently touched base with Mary to learn more about her experience, project, and overall experience as a CSUMB graduate student. Check out her interview below!
In 3-4 sentences, please summarize your research/presentation.
I am studying bioremediation, and how we can use bacteria to clean up aquatic pollution. I use molecular genetics to understand how bacteria are able to eat and degrade harmful pesticides that run off of agricultural fields. This will help us treat aquatic pollutants in new, and potentially more effective, less invasive ways to prevent them from entering aquatic ecosystems.
What was your favorite part of the conference (that you attended recently)?
I attended the CSUWATER conference this year, where I had the opportunity to learn about other research on California's aquatic systems. My favorite part of this experience was the opportunity to see how much exciting research other students were doing, and how many people were excited to learn about California's extremely varied and complex water resources.
What did you gain from this experience and does this experience contribute to your career goals?
I was able to talk with others in working groups to come up with ideas for shared resource programs we could all benefit from. I also learned about funding opportunities from organizations such as SCCWRP, which I will definitely pursue in the future.
What are your future plans (career, academic, etc.)?
I hope to pursue a pHD after this program, and eventually to have the opportunity to conduct my own research directed at microbial metabolism of highly persistent pollutants such as plastics and other long-lasting organic molecules that do not biodegrade in the environment. I love research and hope to continue with this path, whether in academia or elsewhere.
Any advice for fellow students interested in participating in this kind of research?
Contact me (msnook@csumb.edu)! We are looking for a lab tech and some undergraduate research assistants to help with this research next semester, and assisting in a research lab is a great way to find out how to ask and answer scientific questions if you are interested in pursuing more research in the future.
What is your favorite part of being a graduate student at CSUMB?
I had a very specific interest in microbial bioremediation, and it was the main reason I joined this program, so I am very happy that I have been given the freedom to ask and answer my own questions in this context, and supported in all the directions I wish to take my research. Everyone I have worked with here has been invested in my success, and supportive of the work I am doing in any way they can be.
Congratulations on this opportunity, Mary! We look forward to seeing where your academic and professional endeavors take you.