SCRiM Summer Scholars 2015
The SCRiM Summer Scholars Program enables selected undergraduates and early career graduate students to work on independent research projects under the mentorship and support of SCRiM researchers. Students in the SCRiM Summer Scholars Program work on their projects full-time for nine weeks in the summer, starting 1 June 2015. In order to allow the Summer Scholars to fully focus on their research, SCRiM provides each Scholar with a stipend of $4,500. The students live in university apartments and receive full access to Penn State facilities.
In addition to conducting independent research, the Summer Scholars attend weekly student development luncheons. Through these activities, the Summer Scholars share their ideas, discuss individual projects, and interact with SCRiM investigators and researchers. This year, the Summer Scholars had the opportunity to spend time with Dr. Robert Nicholas, Dr. Klaus Keller, Dr. Patrick Applegate, Dr. Gregory Garner, Dr. Murali Haran, Dr. Douglas Bessette, Dr. Chris Forest, Dr. Mort Webster, Dr. Bryan Cwik, and SCRiM graduate student Robert Ceres.
At the completion of the program, the Summer Scholars presented their work at a Research Symposium hosted by Penn State’s Physics and Materials REU Program on Thursday, July 30th.
Details on how to apply for SCRiM Summer Scholars 2016 will be posted to this website in January 2016.
Christine just completed her Sophomore year at the University of Richmond, pursuing degrees in Environmental Studies, Philosophy, and German. This summer, Christine worked under the supervision of Dr. Bryan Cwik, developing a schema for calculating social vulnerability to climate change.
Lydia graduated in May 2015 from Franklin & Marshall College with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minor in Chemistry. This summer, Lydia worked under the supervision of Dr. Erica Smithwick, mapping shifts in cash crop production in the American Midwest due to climate change. She is currently continuing her work with Dr. Smithwick as a research assistant.
Domitille is currently a master's student at the Aix-Marseille University in France studying Physical and Biogeochemical Oceanography. This summer, Domitille worked under the supervision of Dr. Klaus Keller and Dr. Alexander Bakker on characterizing uncertainties of sea-level projections.
Jackson graduated in May 2015 from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Environmental Studies: Conservation and Ecology and minor in Speech and Debate. This summer, Jackson worked under the supervision of Dr. Douglas Bessette on understanding how climate change adaptation workgroups influence municipalities to build resilience.
Christian graduated in May 2015 from Fort Valley University with a B.S. in Mathematics and will join Penn State as a junior in the fall, pursuing a second B.S. in Geosciences. This summer, Christian worked under the supervision of Dr. Patrick Applegate on maps of New Orleans with variable amounts of future sea-level rise.
Joan just completed her junior year at Lafayette College, pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and minor in Economics. This summer, Joan worked under the supervision of Dr. Ken Davis on examining Indianapolis' CO2 emissions and economic conditions.
Nick just completed his junior year at Penn State, pursuing a degree in Mathematics and minors in Statistics and Economics. This summer, Nick worked under the supervision of Dr. Murali Haran, modeling precipitation patterns at different spatial locations across the United States.
Samuel just completed his junior year at Penn State, pursuing a degree in Physics and minors in Mathematics and Spanish. This summer, Samuel worked under the supervision of Dr. Jim Kasting on implications for global warming relating to the human response on heat stress.
Mona just completed her junior year at Morgan State University, pursuing a degree in Actuarial Science. This summer, Mona worked under the supervision of Dr. Chris Forest on a statistical analysis of tidal gauge data.