Melanie Kistnasamy ’22 will present her research at Gustavus Adolphus College at the Council on Undergraduate Research’s annual Posters on the Hill event, which would normally take place in Washington, D.C. This year, the virtual conference will be held April 27-28. Kistnasamy will be part of the virtual poster session that takes place on Wednesday, April 28 from 1-3 p.m. CDT.
The junior from Mauritius has been working since last summer on the research project, titled “Seven Mile Creek Watershed: Monitoring Water Quality and Ravine Erosion for a Sustainable Agriculture.”
The Posters on the Hill event receives hundreds of applications each year and only invites 60 participants to present. Not only do undergraduate students have the opportunity to showcase their work, but they also get to discuss what they have learned with members of congress.
“I like to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me,” Kistnasamy said of why she decided to apply to present her work. “Even though you are busy, it’s still important to present your research.”
Laura Triplett, Associate Professor in Geology and Environmental Studies, is especially proud of what Kistanasamy has accomplished.
“I’ve known Melanie for two years, as both a student in my environmental studies classes and as my summer researcher last year. She is a very driven and ambitious woman, and I’m proud of her for finding this opportunity and going for it. She is someone who sets out goals for herself, then is extremely reliable and organized in following through,” Triplett said.
The respect between Kistnasamy and Triplett is mutual.
“[Triplett] is a great professor and great mentor, but I think it goes beyond that. I consider her family‒she’s like my U.S. mom. She cares for students a lot, and she’s the type of person that if I need any type of help, I go to her,” Kistnasamy said.
During Posters on the Hill, Kistnasamy is excited for the opportunity to meet with Senator Tina Smith and tell her about her research. She also looks forward to presenting what she’s learned to like-minded peers.
“Just sharing your experience as a student researcher and sharing your results in the scientific community is important,” Kistnasamy said. “Meet other researchers and share that knowledge.”
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