Internship Journey within HMEI: Personal Insights and Learnings
By Rebecca Cho, Natural Sciences Correspondent
In the heart of the Ivy League, Princeton University's High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) offers a unique platform for undergraduate students to delve into the multidisciplinary aspects of climate change and environmental impacts linked to energy production.
During the summer of 2023, a rising college sophomore embarked on an enriching journey as an HMEI intern. The opportunity presented itself through the Office of Undergraduate Research, and the intern was eager to develop relationships with mentors experienced in geochemistry and gain experience working in a university research lab.
The intern's project, "Reconstructing the marine environmental changes across the Cretaceous/Paleogene Mass Extinction with Nitrogen Isotopes in Planktonic Foraminifera," piqued their interest, and they found themselves working in the Sigman laboratory. The intern's HMEI internship affirmed their interest in studying Geosciences as their concentration at Princeton.
The intern was part of a collaborative and healthy lab environment where they could ask questions and learn. They developed a solid understanding of fundamental methodologies and scientific concepts regarding reconstruction modeling in geochemistry. The intern was inspired to continue seeking a deeper understanding of how the physical and living world responds to significant environmental changes.
The intern's graduate student supervisor shared advice from their undergraduate and graduate experience, guiding the intern through the intricacies of the project. However, the specifics of this guidance are not detailed in the article.
The article also discusses choosing a lab for research, but no specific details are provided. The intern's experience underscores the importance of finding a lab that aligns with one's research interests and fosters a nurturing environment for learning.
The HMEI internship program supports exploration of complex environmental challenges through collaborative projects, enhancing students’ understanding of the science, policy, and technology behind climate and environmental solutions. The intern's summer research experience provides a valuable insight into the world of environmental science and policy, preparing them for future academic endeavors or careers in the field.
The article is found in the sections "Funding", "Summer Research", and "Lab Research", offering a comprehensive guide for undergraduate students interested in pursuing similar opportunities.
In conclusion, HMEI's projects have a broad environmental focus centered on climate and energy-related issues, and undergraduate internships provide real-world research opportunities that build expertise and prepare students for advanced studies or careers in environmental science and policy.
- The opportunity for the intern to delve into independent work in the science field, specifically undergraduate research focused on reconstructing marine environmental changes, was provided through Princeton University's High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
- Pursuing an HMEI internship not only fosters education-and-self-development by working in a university research lab, but also affirms a student's interest in a particular field, as the intern's experience has shown an increased focus on studying Geosciences at Princeton.
