Geographical Information Systems
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are used to spatially represent data. The ArcGIS software is widely used for satellite imagery, epidemiology, remote sensing, and more. I enrolled in a GIS class for my senior year elective.
The midterm assignment for this class was to design a poster with maps of a college that interests you. The requirements were to include an inset map and five maps with the same scale.
My most recent assignment was to create a Thanksgiving-themed map. I decided to create a map honoring the true heroes of Thanksgiving dinner: potatoes. My map displays each state's favorite potato dish and the annual potato production in 2017.
The first assignment for this class was to gather online data points and create a thematic Halloween map. I found that a surprising number of horror movies are filmed in New Jersey, especially in the Pine Barrens.
Historical Analysis
My research skills for scientific writing have been applicable in many other situations, such as finding historical sources. In US History I, I was assigned to research and analyze a historic photograph from the Civil War. I reflected on the controversy surrounding the "Home of Rebel Sharpshooter" photograph and related it to current events.
Field Experiences
Many of the courses I have taken at MATES include a field component: Marine Biology, Research Methods, Aquatic Ecology, Research Methods II, Advanced Oceanographic Research, Environmental Science. I have acquired experience with: seining, kayaking, birding, dissolved oxygen tests, YSI multimeters, turbidimeters, sample collection, species identification, and more.
Field Write Ups
After collecting data in the field, I perform statistical analyses using Microsoft Excel and Tukey HSD tests and compile my findings into field write ups, improving my scientific writing skills.
Literary Analysis
I am also adept in analyzing literature. In this paper, I analyzed the juxtaposition in the narrative poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Each character displays contrasting personality traits, developing their character and conveying the theme.
This is creative characterization project in which I analyzed the Prioress from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The assignment was to imagine the character's cell phone and the apps, backgrounds, and media the character uses.
Laboratory Skills
Throughout my four years at MATES, I have acquired chemistry, physics, biology and environmental laboratory skills. I am experienced with agar plates, titrations, gel electrophoresis, Drosophila merganster (fruit flies), Enteroalert testing for Enterococcus sp., colorimetry, spectrophotometry, moisture analysis, particle size analysis and more.
