Student Scientists Present Research at AGU Fall Meeting
by Lisa Yi, Notre Dame Science Teacher

Students in Notre Dame’s Independent Science Research program had the honor of presenting their research at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in San Francisco in December. The AGU conference is the largest Earth and space science meeting in the world with over 24,000 attendees.

During the poster session, the students are expected to share their work and answer questions from anyone who approaches them. Our Notre Dame students communicated their information passionately and with poise and professionalism. Word about their unique projects traveled around the poster session. Dipa Sur (‘18) commented that she overheard someone pointing out “That’s the dog treadmill project!” about her poster “Investigating the Kinematics of Canids and Felids.” while Sharon Truong and Riana Karim (‘17) fielded questions from tea-drinkers of all backgrounds about their project on the iron-binding capabilities of different teas. Alekhya Gurram, Sahithi Madireddy and Shruthi Shyam (‘19) received feedback from a fellow archer about their project entitled “The Effect of arrow mass and shape on the penetration of a target.”

Sharon Truong (‘17) shared the following reflection on their experience, "At AGU, we were immersed in an environment where student research is highlighted and emphasized alongside advanced laboratory research. Riana and I had the chance to present to scientists what we've discovered within our school lab as well as learn new things from researchers about the Earth and even our own project. Learning was everywhere; ground-breaking research and data pervaded the entire conference!"

The students were excited by the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to see the work of others in a wide variety of fields. Following the poster session, students were invited to a luncheon sponsored by the AGU Bright Students Training as Research Scientists (Bright STaRS) program which enables students to present their own research to the scientific community. During the luncheon, the students continued to make connections and have conversations with students from other schools and even other countries.

The student presenters and their project titles are below:
Sharon Truong (‘17) and Riana Karim (‘17): The Effect of Different Tea Varieties on Iron Absorption
Dipashreya Sur (‘18): Investigating the Kinematics of Canids and Felids
Mashia Mazumder (‘18): Experimental Investigation of Low-cost Cooling Methods
Sophia Barwegen (‘19): Effect of Wildfire on Sequoia giganteum Growth and CO2 Flux
Alekhya Gurram (‘19), Sahithi Madireddy (‘19), Shruthi Shyam (‘19): The effect of arrow mass and shape on the penetration of a target
Kamryn Richardson (‘20): Broken Chains: The Effect of Ocean Acidification on Bivalve and Echinoid Development