Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Nsea - Gis Intern, Maximillian Yost

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Most of my work included updating, editing, and creating GIS feature layers and maps used by the NSEA restoration crews, and creating maps and story maps that could be viewed and easily digested by the public. With my role, I got to work on projects with both the educational and the field side of NSEA.

Whatcom Land Trust, De Oliveria Adriano

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This spring I worked with a local non-profit, the Whatcom Land Trust, as a GIS/GPS specialist in their stewardship department. Whatcom Land Trust aims to buy land for the main purpose of conservation. They also buy up conservation land easements, which are the rights to land development. This allows WLT to restrict any further development of land in the future, even if the landowner sells their property. As a nonprofit, they are heavily restricted by their available funding, and are forced to utilize mostly donations and State Grant funding. Even so, they own around 6,500 acres of property and are …

Mt Baker Snow School Intern, Katrina Doerflinger

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This February and March I volunteered as an environmental educator with the program. I brought students up on the mountain to different outdoor lessons hosted by the Snow School’s partners. I also had the opportunity to teach my own workshop on snow crystal formation in the atmosphere. This program is part of a 3-year-long education initiative called Snow to Sea to teach middle school students about our local watershed. We are their first exposure to this initiative at the very top of the watershed: Mt. Baker. It's so rewarding to see students, many of which have never been to Mt. …

Skagit County Public Works Intern, Cynthia Elston

College of the Environment Internship Reports

During my internship with Skagit County, I had the opportunity to participate in various programs contributing to the organization's mission of protecting and enhancing the natural resources in the county. The following paragraphs provide an overview of my involvement and contributions in each program.

Nsea Intern, Mckenna Varela

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The main focus of my position throughout this internship was to engage with the community members who volunteer on Saturdays from 9am - 12pm. Usually, there were only a handful of volunteers, maybe between 30 - 40; they would all have questions about the work we do, the importance of the riparian buffer along streams, and how each intern found their way to NSEA.

Surficial Geologic Map Of The Hadley 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Warren County, Kentucky, Matthew Massey, Meredith Swallom, Antonia Bottoms, Wes Buchanan, Bailee Nicole Hodelka, Emily Morris

Contract Reports--KGS

The Hadley 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Warren County northwest of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Regionally, the quadrangle is entirely within the Mammoth Cave plateau, which is located in the Mississippian Plateaus physiographic region (McDowell, 1986). The Mammoth Cave plateau is a regional west-dipping cuesta, that has been extensively incised by the Green and Barren Rivers and their tributaries. The area is underlain by Upper Mississippian to Lower Pennsylvanian (Rainey, 1963): the lowest fluvial valleys are underlain by Ste. Genevieve Limestone; Girkin Formation is exposed on the steep slopes between the lower valleys and higher plateau; the plateau is underlain by …

Surficial Geologic Map Of The Bowling Green North 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Warren County, Kentucky, Meredith Swallom, Matthew Massey, Wes Buchanan, Bailee Nicole Hodelka, Hannah Hayes, Charles Wells Iii, Emily Morris

Contract Reports--KGS

The Bowling Green North 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in Warren County immediately north of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Regionally, the quadrangle includes parts of the Pennyroyal and Mammoth Cave plateau, both within the Mississippian Plateaus physiographic region (McDowell, 1986). The Dripping Springs escarpment, which separates the lower-elevation Pennyroyal from the higher-elevation Mammoth Cave plateau is highly dissected in the quadrangle. Topography in the Pennyroyal is characterized by pervasive sinkhole development across the low-relief Pennyroyal, which is mostly underlain by the Mississippian St. Louis Limestone, Ste. Genevieve Limestone, and Girkin Formation (Shawe, 1963). Higher-relief topography is restricted to the slopes of the …

Assessing Compressed Air Energy Storage (Caes) Potential In Kentucky To Augment Energy Production From Renewable Resources, J Richard Bowersox, John B. Hickman

Report of Investigations--KGS

Fossil fuel power plants in Kentucky have some of the highest emissions of greenhouse gasses in the United States. One potential strategy for mitigating greenhouse gasses from electric power generation is the co-installation of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) and a renewable source such as photovoltaic solar electricity generation (PV solar generation). CAES with complementary co-installed PV solar generation enhances stand-alone PV solar generation because CAES power is available at night.

CAES, however, requires both a site where large volumes of compressed air can be stored in the subsurface, and a heat source to prepare the stored air prior to …

Realizing The Heteromorphic Superlattice: Repeated Heterolayers Of Amorphous Insulator And Polycrystalline Semiconductor With Minimal Interface Defects, Woongkyu Lee, Xianyu Chen, Qing Shao, Sung Il Baik, Sungkyu Kim, David Seidman, Michael Bedzyk, Vinayak Dravid, John B. Ketterson, Julia E. Medvedeva, Robert P.H. Chang, Matthew A. Grayson

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

An Unconventional "Heteromorphic" Superlattice (HSL) is Realized, Comprised of Repeated Layers of Different Materials with Differing Morphologies: Semiconducting Pc-In₂O₃ Layers Interleaved with Insulating A-MoO₃ Layers. Originally Proposed by Tsu in 1989, Yet Never Fully Realized, the High Quality of the HSL Heterostructure Demonstrated Here Validates the Intuition of Tsu, Whereby the Flexibility of the Bond Angle in the Amorphous Phase and the Passivation Effect of the Oxide at Interfacial Bonds Serve to Create Smooth, High-Mobility Interfaces. the Alternating Amorphous Layers Prevent Strain Accumulation in the Polycrystalline Layers While Suppressing Defect Propagation Across the HSL. for the …

Wwu Research Assistant Intern, Itzel Perez

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My 2-credit research project focused on the degradation of polymers, such as Low-Density Polyethylene and Polycarbonate, within the human digestive system. Throughout my project I had been working with my advisor, Dr. Montaño, as well as my research partner, Ashlynn Lee, to develop an in-depth understanding of polymers. I first began doing research on polymers of interests and narrowed down to two specific plastics- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and PC (Polycarbonate).

Senior Project - Sehome Arboretum Soils, Johnathan Billecci

College of the Environment Internship Reports

In some areas of the Arboretum, the canopy has been transitioning from coniferous Douglas fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii) to deciduous big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Dieback of mature Douglas fir trees may be due to the slow-growing root rot fungus, Coniferiporia weirii, or the story may be more complicated. Other soil characteristics like nutrient availability and soil biota communities may influence the susceptibility of mature Douglas fir to C. weirii. To better understand why this transition is happening, Rebecca Bunn is putting together a research class which will evaluate whether other soil characteristics may be contributing to the dieback of Douglas …

Spmc Research Assistant, Ben Molenhouse

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Upon receiving the opportunity to work at Shannon Point Marine Center on the eelgrass research team I was absolutely thrilled to take part in the experiment. Our goal for the continuing experiment is to study the effects of climate change on eelgrass, Zostera marina, populations from the Puget Sound region. Particularly, we are researching the effects of warming ocean water temperatures on eelgrass populations. My past experiences entailed mostly work and experience in terrestrial settings, in courses at Western, on a seasonal forestry crew position that I worked over the past couple summers, and in my own personal free time. …

Wwu Herring Stock Research Intern, Alexandra Haase

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This internships main goal was to follow up the work of former graduate student Heidi Stewart, and explore the predation activities of large predators in Herring spawning habitats. Last year, Dr. Sobocinski and Heidi placed metal nets in different Bays around the Salihs Sea. This was to isolate herring spawn, in order to see the impact of predators on herring spawn. During this time, I was brought onto their research team as a field assistant and video processer. Heidi trained me in her procedures and gave me my first taste of environmental field work.

Mt Baker Snow School Intern, Megan Moran

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My internship with Northwest Avalanche Center’s (NWAC) Mt Baker Snow School (MBSS) spanned from February to May of 2023. During my time at Mt Baker Snow School, I was able to engage in lots of hands-on learning opportunities, both for myself and the students I was leading. Through the primary scope of my internship, which was leading student field trips, I was able to combine snow science knowledge from my Western classes with tools and guidance provided by MBSS to facilitate a fast paced, hands-on learning environment and get students excited about our mountain systems in Whatcom County. During MBSS, …

Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program Intern, Zeppelin Poole

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The Bellingham Parks volunteer program is a part of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation department. The volunteer program is responsible for four main volunteer-based events/roles. The first is to set up and host volunteer work parties at different parks throughout Bellingham, which includes prepping the work party, setting everything and all required materials up, teaching volunteers how to carry out the work, maintaining a safe and fun environment, making sure people enjoy the work party and that everything is being done properly, and then cleaning up the work party once it is finished. The second is help set people up …

Washington Conservation Corps Intern, Maczenzie Kelm

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My work with the Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) was with a restoration crew sponsored by the Skagit River Systems Co-op. The organization does work in the Skagit river basin to restore salmon habitat. The focus of this work is on riparian areas, in the summer season which I had worked we primarily maintained sites where plantings had been done previously. This was done through brush cutting survival rings around young plants, as well as removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and morning glory either through herbicide use or brush cutting. Hours worked with WCC were ten hours four days …

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Intern, Ava O'Neill

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This spring I interned at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. I chose to apply for the green crab intern position at Padilla Bay because I have always had a fascination with crabs. Growing up, I spent my summers at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island, kayaking in the Salish Sea and hiking shorelines dotted with madrone, Douglas fir, and seaside juniper. Hours would go by in the sunshine with my friends, turning over rocks and searching for the shore crab with the coolest carapace, or poking sea anemones and watching them squirt. The excitement of flipping a rock and …

Salish Scientists Summer Camp Internship, Jayden Lehner

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The non-profit is one of the fourteen Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) in Washington State. They work to foster a community that cares about bringing awareness to salmon and giving everyone opportunities to contribute to the success of salmon. Salmon are an essential part of the Pacific Northwest, for people and the environment. During the summer, they run a Salish Scientists Summer camp held at the Willow Creek Salmon and Watershed Education Center in Edmonds, Washington. The center is a hatchery that they raise salmon fry to release into Willow Creek. The wetland on site is incorporated into many of …

Institute For Watershed Studies Research Assistant, Julia Ralston

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Going into this internship I had a couple of learning objectives, and I feel I was able to complete all of them successfully. First, I was expecting to learn the specific techniques for lake sampling and how to collect those samples without compromising them. This was a goal that I feel was completed. I was taught a method of sampling that works well for small lakes, like the ones that we sampled from. For most lakes we used waders and waded into the lake. We brought with us a very long pole with a bottle at the end of it. …

City Of Auburn Parks Dept Intern, Audrey Patton

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My roles include weeding, removing invasive plants such as English Ivy (pictured below), hedging shrubs, pruning trees, watering flowers, designing garden beds, and planting annuals and perennials. Over the last 7 weeks, I have greatly increased my knowledge of natural systems in cities, specifically parks and gardens.

Wwu Sustainability Engagement Institute Data Ambassador, Ashley Olson

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My internship almost entirely surrounded the project of working towards completion and submission of the WWU Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) report to receive a score assessing where our institution is both independently and comparatively in our progress towards an optimally sustainable campus. The role of my position as the data ambassador was to gather data from numerous departments and individuals throughout our campus network and craft technical writing within the majority of sections to further explain our campus operations and the data I compiled. The objective for …

Pnnl Renew Pathway Summer School Intern, Sonya Alcocer

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Guided by federal policy, and in partnership with industry experts and the research community, PNNL scientists and engineers work every day toward a sustainable energy future for all that is not just imagined, but real. This immersive, cohort-based program introduces students to the teams at PNNL that conduct research in renewable energy science. The Pathway Summer School program provides students with mentoring, professional development, experiential learning, engaging field trips and tours, and conversations with leading experts in topics such as renewable energy, energy equity, and technology.

Salish Scientists Summer Camp Internship, Jayden Lehner

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The non-profit is one of the fourteen Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) in Washington State. They work to foster a community that cares about bringing awareness to salmon and giving everyone opportunities to contribute to the success of salmon. Salmon are an essential part of the Pacific Northwest, for people and the environment. During the summer, they run a Salish Scientists Summer camp held at the Willow Creek Salmon and Watershed Education Center in Edmonds, Washington. The center is a hatchery that they raise salmon fry to release into Willow Creek. The wetland on site is incorporated into many of …

Institute For Watershed Studies Research Assistant, Julia Ralston

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The IWS conducts water quality research on bodies of freshwater and for some of their projects they collaborate with local government, and other organizations on water quality issues. I first learned about IWS from a job listing for their summer research assistant position, which entailed doing in the filed sampling of around 60 small lakes in the area, and also doing some lab work with those water samples. At the time I was taking a Watershed Biogeochemistry class at WWU, and my class was able to take a tour of the IWS labs and learn a little bit about what …

City Of Auburn Parks Dept Intern, Audrey Patton

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This summer, I am grateful to be employed by the City of Auburn working as a horticulturist. Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating plants. My roles include weeding, removing invasive plants such as English Ivy (pictured below), hedging shrubs, pruning trees, watering flowers, designing garden beds, and planting annuals and perennials. Over the last 7 weeks, I have greatly increased my knowledge of natural systems in cities, specifically parks and gardens.

A Novel Technique For The Quantitative Determination Of Wettability Of A Severely Heterogeneous Tight Carbonate Reservoir, Saleh Al-Sayegh, Ralph E. Flori, Waleed Al-Bazzaz, Abdulaziz Abbas, Ali Qubian, Hasan Al-Saedi

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The objective of this study is to accurately measure the wettability contact angle of a cretaceous carbonate reservoir in a vertical well set-up known for as an unconventional tight carbonate oil reservoir. Also, to investigate the relative heterogeneity of these samples using digitally captured images; these images accurately capture natural pore-system in this carbonate rock samples and their wettability performance attributed towards building a vertical depth wettability/heterogeneity model. To capture, measure and model natural tight matrix static contact angle wettability in order to understand their new physics that will advance unconventional tight oil reservoir characterization. Entire vertical well depth reservoir …

Practical Imaging Applications Of Wettability Contact Angles On Kuwaiti Tight Carbonate Reservoir With Different Rock Types, Saleh Al-Sayegh, Ralph E. Flori, Waleed Al-Bazzaz, Sohaib Kholosy, Hasan Al-Saedi, Abdulaziz Abbas, Ali Qubian

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study focuses on a tight carbonate reservoir which is located in Northern Kuwait and is classified as an unconventional reservoir. A practical imaging technique of wettability contact angle (θ°) presents "big data" as well as relative-permeability (Krw and Kro) measurements. Also, modeling, through rock image technology, the vast well-documented grain/pore boundary morphology available inside fresh rock fragments have achieved good results. Conventional laboratory relative-permeability experiments are expensive and time-consuming. This study introduces a novel method to measure/calculate relative permeability through fast, less expensive, non-destructive, and environmentally friendly techniques of imaging technology. One tight carbonate reservoir is selected, imaged, processed, …

The Sounds Of The Deep Sea: Is There A Monster In Our Depths?, Tanisha Shende

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Determined Mechanism For The Formation Of 2-Bromo-3-Methylbutane, Gabriele Cross

Senior Honors Projects

Carbocation rearrangements are particularly interesting mechanistic steps in organic reactions. Carbocations form when a carbon atom within a molecule is electron deficient, giving it a positive charge. A rearrangement occurs when either a hydrogen atom or methyl group from an adjacent carbon atom in the molecule moves to the carbocation, thus moving the carbocation to the adjacent carbon. This rearrangement only occurs if the newly formed carbocation is more stable than the previous carbocation. These concepts are typically taught in organic chemistry courses. Researchers from Villanova University, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and Bethel University designed an experiment to help …

Discovering Optimal Strategy In Tactical Combat Scenarios Through The Evolution Of Behaviour Trees, Martin Masek, Chiou Peng Lam, Luke Kelly, Martin Wong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper we address the problem of automatically discovering optimal tactics in a combat scenario in which two opposing sides control a number of fighting units. Our approach is based on the evolution of behaviour trees, combined with simulation-based evaluation of solutions to drive the evolution. Our behaviour trees use a small set of possible actions that can be assigned to a combat unit, along with standard behaviour tree constructs and a novel approach for selecting which action from the tree is performed. A set of test scenarios was designed for which an optimal strategy is known from the …