UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
of rocks and minerals. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know. But it was not until the Mineralogy class that I discovered my deepest passion: Geochemistry.
In that class, each student was given an “unknown specimen” on which to conduct a variety of geochemical analyses, including X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and my favorite, the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS). I became fasci- nated with lab work and research. Last year, my research was focused on the role of crystal geo- chemistry for the formation of basaltic ore depos- its. This year, I conducted research on a zoned metasomatic kimberlite in northern Colorado. Being a Geologist means that sometimes I work in a remote location taking samples with a rock hammer. It also means spending several hours in a lab trying to figure out the chemical identity of a specimen. I like that variety because it makes me feel that there are no limits to the work that a geoscientist can do.
It is an exciting time to be a geologist. In recent decades, scientists have learned so much about our planet and they have revealed revolutionary facts that have remarkably changed the way we look at nature. In this sense, Geology encompasses the knowledge we need to work for a better Earth. Every day, geoscientists work hard to figure out strategies to deal with issues such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, energy shortages and climate change. Geology not only strives to explain what happened in the past, it gives us the tools to ask
Chelsey Drake, SA-10573 University of Maine -
Farmington - Northeast Section
One of the first books I bought for myself after saving my allowance when I was a child was a small picture-laden guide on the planets in our solar sys- tem. I remember being both excited and confused that there was a vast, largely unknown environment beyond the world which we inhabit. That wonder has stayed
with me throughout my life and has been reinforced through my geology education. There are so many questions still lin- gering about the world around us, the features and processes we observe right in our backyard. I am driven to research and understand planetary processes, both Earth-bound and beyond.
I come from a low-income family and am the first to go to college, much less the first to even think of graduate level education. Because of my family’s socioeconomic background, I had to wait to fully commit to diving into my undergradu- ate degree. I believe that this waiting period has focused my interests and allowed me to fully home in on where and who I want to be. I know that I want to be at the forefront of plan- etary research, largely in structural and compositional fields, and I know that I want to be a Geologist.
I am incredibly passionate about Earth systems and geology, planetary systems, working on difficult questions and issues, and putting myself in new and exciting (albeit sometimes uncomfortable) positions that allow me to learn
www.aipg.org
the right questions to face the future. I want to be a Geologist because I want to understand the world’s biggest issues and to help solve them.
About the Essayist
Monike Distefano is a senior student in the Applied Geology and Economics programs at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Monike comes from Paraguay and was astounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, which sparked her passion in the Geosciences field. Monike is very passionate about research and will be continuing her graduate education to become a Geochemist.
about myself and the world around me. Intellectual curiosity is the primary force that drives my life today, and one of the fundamental reasons I want to be a Geologist. How has the formation of our planet differed from others, such as Mars or Venus? What has created Venus’ thick, caustic atmosphere? How do the heliosphere and magnetosphere protect life on Earth, and what other planets exhibit similar components? Could life be sustained on Earth without plate tectonics? I am incredibly interested in planetary habitability, and I find questions such as these fascinating. These questions empha- size my motivation for completing my undergraduate degree, pursuing graduate level education, and eventually becoming a planetary geologist.
I know you probably hear this a great deal, but I would love to obtain a position with NASA upon completing my Ph.D degree in some area of planetary geology. The thought of being involved with space missions and consulting with engineers on surficial and structural features and chemical composition of materials observed on other astral bodies is incredibly motivating. Observing the fates of other planets can give huge clues into what makes Earth ripe for life, and what could possibly go wrong in the future. I am eager to be involved in this research. This is why I want to be a Geologist.
About the Essayist
Chelsey is a native of Maine and is a Junior at UMaine Farmington. Her interests include mineralogy, structural geol- ogy, and geochemistry, especially of other planets. She hopes to go to graduate school at CU Boulder and work in Planetary Geology at NASA.
Jul.Aug.Sep 2020 • TPG 13
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