The Success of Your Project Determines Your Future
Oludamilola Alalade
My name is (Damy). I am a gradu- ate student of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at Ball State University, Indiana. I am working on two projects for my thesis; 1) research- ing the removal of hydraulic fracturing fluid from petroleum wastewater using sorption techniques and methods, and 2) developing a method for cleaning up wetlands that have been polluted by hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is defined as the process of creating and propagating a fracture within a rock layer by means of applying hydraulic pressure in order to release petroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas, or other potential fuels for extraction. The energy from the injection of a highly pressurized fluid such as water creates new channels in the rock which can increase extraction rates and the recovery of fossil fuels.
We can also say hydraulic fractur- ing is a drilling method that uses large volumes of chemically treated water at high-pressure to free oil and natural gas trapped deep in underground strata. The chemical-enriched water and some groundwater are recovered from the well along with oil and gas. Major dis- advantages of hydraulic fracturing are
that it can require millions of gallons of relatively clean water, and the process may impart significant impacts on local ecosystems (e.g., water loss and pollu- tion).
I decided to embark on these two projects because hydraulic fracturing is used by exploration companies to extract oil and gas from the earth and during these processes a large amount of water is used. My first project goal is to develop an effective and affordable solution that is best for recycling waste water that is generated during hydraulic fracturing, while my second project goal is to look for the best way to clean up wetland pollution.
My Advice to Students Includes:
1. Choose a good cause for your project.
When writing a project, students should focus and identify the vari- ous problems which the community, industry and country are facing. There are many projects students can work on, but you need to look for the main one that will benefit everyone and also that will make you marketable when you are done with school.
2. Get the right supervisor for your project.
Before writing a project, it is impor- tant to contact the right supervisor or advisor in your field of research. There are lots of potential supervi- sors but that does not mean all of them will be the ideal one for you. Finding a project supervisor who is a good fit is the student’s respon- sibility. Communication between you and your advisor/supervisor is very essential. When working on your project, you will find it easier and not stressful if you have estab- lished good communication with your supervisor. Supervisors are there to guide you on how to carry
out your project.
3. Choose a good method and make it applicable.
The goal of project is to find a solu- tion to a problem which will cost less. When you are writing a creative project, you should remember that you are trying to develop the best alternative solution for a problem which will be better than other solu- tions. Remember that in some cases, the problem you are trying to solve may have already been solved by someone else. So what you need to do is to find a better solution and/or a cheaper method which will become more standard than the present one.
4. Look for Grants.
Grants are very important when you are working on a creative project. You need to look for grants that will help you fund your project. When you work closely with your professor it will be easier to get grants because most grants require both students and a supervisor. Supervisors can also help students to obtain grants.
5. Presentation and planning.
Students should look for conferences to attend and present their project. This is very important because it will allow people, organizations and prospective investors to know what the students are researching and writing, and also helps students to connect with people in the indus- try. Presenting at conferences also allows students to get a job in an industry.
As an undergraduate I conducted research on five oil wells and worked on one well. Presently I am pursuing my graduate program in Natural resources and Environmental Management. After my Master degree, I am planning to go back for my PhD in Geology, pass the PG exam and become a Professional Geologist.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56