A group of Penn State students recently traveled to Australia as part of a partnership between Penn State and Monash University to conduct research aimed at better understanding sources of decreased water quality in watersheds, in addition to finding possible solutions.
The National Science Foundation-supported International Research Experience for Students took place during July and early August. During the trip, students from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and other colleges performed state-of-the-art field and laboratory research focused on the Gippsland Lakes watershed.
“This program gave me memories that I will never forget, academic knowledge that I will apply in my future, and the opportunity to learn about a culture with which I was previously unfamiliar,” said Christina Cheng, a third-year biological engineering student. “We met incredible people at Monash who guided and supported us throughout our research experience.”
Lauren McPhillips, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering and civil and environmental engineering, mentored the students. In addition to teaching them about general hydrology, watershed management practices and water quality field and lab methods, she partnered with the College of Engineering Center for Global Engineering to facilitate their training on topics relating to Australian culture.
Source: psu.edu
Photo Credit: Pennsylvania State University
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education