PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

In September of 2019, I began my first semester at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). I am currently working toward my PhD in physical oceanography working in Dr. Brice Loose's lab (Geotracer Kitchen). The research I am on working on now contributes to the Polynyas, Ice Production, and seasonal Evolution in the Ross Sea (PIPERS) project. My first year was funded through PIPERS, and this year my work is funded through the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant as a NASA RISG Graduate Fellow. 

CHEMISTRY

Laura's previous experience as an intern at the Everett Environmental Laboratory expanded her learning and skills in many ways (see Work Experience page). This internship provided her with hands-on experience operating an Agilent ICP-MS to analyze water, biological tissue, soil, and many other types of samples. This experience sparked Laura's interest in chemistry, which ultimately led her to pursue a Chemistry degree at Pacific Lutheran University. 

​I continued marine research at PLU with Dr. Sheri Tonn. Together we worked to assess the lasting effects of the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) Smelter that operated in Commencement Bay (Tacoma, WA) from 1890-1985. This research assessed legacy effects of the smelter via heavy metal concentrations in mussel tissue. The primary metals of interest were arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc. The results can be found in my capstone thesis for my Chemistry degree (linked below). Any results or information used from this paper must be cited accordingly. Please contact me directly if you have any questions.  
Glastra_Chemistry_Thesis.pdf
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Sonogoshira Coupling product: 1-(hex-1-ynyl)-4-nitrobenzene from 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene and 1-hexyne.
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Students and faculty members aboard ORCA's research vessel the Phocoena.

OCEAN RESEARCH COLLEGE ACADEMY

During my last two years of high school (2013-2015), I attended a private program for high school students to earn college credits. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) in 2004. At ORCA I participated in monthly State of Possession Sound (SOPS) cruises to collect data that provided insight on the health of the local ecosystem. These data have been collected throughout the past decade, and are now being used by the Washington State Ferry system. The WSF system is using these data as a reference for the baseline health of the local ecosystem in Mukilteo as a new ferry terminal is being constructed (1, 2, 3). 

During SOPS cruises, ORCA students collected samples of water to analyze nutrient contents, dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, temperature, pH, and salinity via YSI instruments and Niskin bottles. Marine mammals and species of birds were recorded, and sediment and plankton samples were collected as well. Students at ORCA continue to collect these data on a bi-monthly basis.