The following post was written by UHP student and SURE Award winner Julia Wagner.
When I set out to study urban sustainability for my senior honors thesis, I never thought that it would land me in a landfill in the middle of South America. But research, folks, can be exciting!
I was visiting the CEAMSE landfill outside of Buenos Aires to get a better understanding for the city’s sustainability planning in regards to their waste management. I wanted to understand the impetus behind the City’s new recycling program, which not only stands for waste reduction but social justice.
As I stood, looking over a mountain of trash, I reflected on how I got there. It started with a semester of study abroad in Buenos Aires, during which I fell in love with the city’s passion, volatility, and depth. The famous portenos, or Buenos Aires locals, take what they need, and keep innovating until they get it. One particular group, a sector of informal waste-pickers who organized to create their own cooperatively-run businesses really inspired me to return and dig deeper into this fascinating place and study the role of waste in the city. Finally, the SURE Award ensured that I had enough funds to travel back to South America and get the much needed ethnographic interviews to complete my research.
Garbage, it turns out, is a major urban problem all over the world. How cities decide to manage their waste has huge environmental, political, and social implications in their localities. Waste, as product of the items we consume, tells a lot about a people’s culture and values. Many of the materials that we throw away, like plastic, glass, and cardboard, can also be very useful when cycled back into the industrial process; thus, waste is also a valuable resource. In a world where extractive activities become more expensive, recycling has grown into a bustling industry.
It was out of economic necessity that many people started collecting spare recyclables in Buenos Aires. These waste-pickers, or cartoneros as they came to be known, would pick out useful materials from curbside dumpsters to sell back to industries for a profit. These people, their political organizations, and their democratically-run businesses served as the basis for my research. They are single-handedly changing the face of the recycling industry and the culture of recycling in Buenos Aires. Further, they have built a scenario for understanding how informal actors can bring change to city’s formal sustainability planning and green infrastructures.
I find it ironic that my #onlyatGW moment would be funded research in a South American landfill, but as I stood looking out over a mountain of garbage, I couldn’t have felt happier, or more empowered to continue researching the implications of urban waste management in the future.
Category: Student Voices
Talk Fishy to Me [SURE Stories]
The following post was written by UHP student and SURE Award winner Simon Wentworth.
I have always had an interest in genetics, and when my Intro Biology professor freshman year mentioned he was going to be doing work sequencing and assembling the Genome and Transcriptome of the Fathead Minnow I decided to go up and talk to him about it. Little did I know right then that this would be the start of my research career. The next week Dr. Packer offered me a position taking care of the hundreds of fish he had under various treatment conditions. Shortly thereafter he asked me if I wanted to stay on longer term to head up the Transcriptome work for him. I immediately accepted and since then have spent the bulk of my time in the lab teaching myself the various software needed to assemble and annotate a complete transcriptome. Eventually I got access to Colonial One (GW’s supercomputer) and it was off to the races. I spent the remainder of my freshman year and the summer following working on establishing a high quality and stringently annotated transcriptome for a single reference organism of our fish. After working on my research for over a year it was finally ready to present, but the lab didn’t quite have the funds to send me to the conference.
Honors program to the rescue! I applied for and got the SURE Award which allowed me to fly to the American Physiological Society’s Grand Conference in Omics in San Diego to present my work, “Transcriptome profile of the gills of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas),” over three days. While I was there I not only got the opportunity to share the work I had been doing, but I was also able to see what others were doing and what was considered at the forefront of physiological omics. Surprisingly enough, the keynote was working with other related fish doing much of the same type of research as I was. In fact, it convinced us to take the work we have been doing further to begin to look at the genetic changes which occur that allow the Fathead Minnow to acclimatize to a variety of different clines of environmental conditions.
It was a wonderful experience to be able to present among so many others at large conference and I am extremely thankful for the support of the UHP that made it possible for me to present there.
Race and the Culture of Breastfeeding [SURE Stories]
The following post was written by UHP student and SURE Award winner Laura Schwartz.
This year, I’ve been working on an original research project in the anthropology department on culture, race, and breastfeeding. I spent two years working as a work study employee at the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington. While I worked there, I learned a lot about the culture surrounding breastfeeding – it’s a whole separate world that most people know nothing about. But it’s also a complicated world. To people who have never been parents, the idea that breastfeeding is more than just baby + breast = successful feeding might be completely foreign. Lactation support is a hugely important area that combines aspects of peer assistance with the health care industry. The Center, and other organizations like it, provides both supplies (such as breast pumps, nursing clothing, etc.) and appointments with lactation consultants, who are certified medical professionals who specialize in breastfeeding. Though it’s still off the radar of many, the field of lactation support is both crucial and growing.
Unfortunately, not all mothers have equal access to breastfeeding support, and that’s what my research is all about. Although breastfeeding rates in the US have been rising in recent years as more evidence comes out about breastmilk’s health benefits for babies as compared to formula, there are still many mothers who are not breastfeeding. In particular, African-American mothers’ breastfeeding rates are significantly low compared to other mothers in the US. I’ve spent the past six months asking mothers of all races at the Breastfeeding Center about their breastfeeding experiences in surveys and interviews. I’ve paid special attention to African-American mothers and whether the factors that lead to their decisions to breastfeed are different from those at play for mothers of other races. Within my (small) sample, it looks like there are some differences, particularly involved with the degree to which breastfeeding is normalized within different communities. There may also be differences in level of access to resources such as peer support. In addition, I’m examining insurance coverage of lactation support, which have recently been expanded under the Affordable Care Act. Finally, I frame all of these results within the wider culture of breastfeeding, which is extremely interesting to analyze from an anthropological perspective.
The UHP SURE Award was instrumental for me, even though everything I needed funding for was pretty unglamorous. With the UHP’s help, I was able to pay for photocopying of multi-page surveys to administer at the Breastfeeding Center. I also purchased a paper shredder to protect the privacy of my participants. Although these expenses seem minor, it would have been really tough for me to cover them myself, so the fact that the UHP Sure Award covered them for me was a huge deal as I was trying to get my study off the ground. I’m really proud of my original research, and I’m grateful to the UHP for all the help they’ve provided, both in the form of the SURE Award and otherwise!
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow [SURE Stories]
The following post was written by UHP student and SURE Award winner Michelle Stuhlmacher.
Late in April hoards of geographers will descend on Chicago, Illinois to share their research, attend plenary sessions, and generally revel in the wonders of geography. The annual meeting is hosted by the American Association of Geographers (AAG) and, thanks to money from the SURE award, this year I will be joining them!
I will be presenting research that I conducted as part of the Hollings Scholarship Program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This summer I worked at the National Centers for Environmental Information (one of the NOAA branch offices) in Asheville, NC. My mentor had created an index for snowfall that is like the Enhanced Fujita Scale for tornado or the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale is called the Regional Snowfall Index and my job for the summer was updating the way it incorporated census data.
To do this I used ArcGIS and programmed scripts in Python. I learned so much over the summer and did some extra analysis on the new Regional Snowfall Index calculations. This analysis, and what it says about our society’s vulnerability to future snowstorms, is what I will be presenting at AAG.
Why I Chose the UHP, and Why I’d Do It Over, and Over, and Over Again
This is my fourth admissions season on the University side of the table, and each year, I receive the question “Why the UHP?” a hundred times.
And yet, each year, I have a difficult time verbalizing all that it is great, good, challenging, and defining about the University Honors Program Experience. I have token stories about my professors, certain papers, and can even show funny pictures from the Student Faculty Dinner. But in forming my answers to this vast query, I needed structure. And I have now found two themes that allow me to structure that speech: Challenge and Community (for alliteration’s sake).
I chose Challenge when I came to the UHP. I thought I was smart and savvy already, but I needed to be continuously pushed. I am not a student to get lost in a 150 person lecture, or to abide by what the professor says simply because they said it. My professors challenge me, and I like to challenge them back. The UHP Curriculum is not about extra classes; it is about having an outlet for all of these questions that do not fit neatly into the syllabus of an International Affairs policy class. It is about reading beautiful texts that echo in my consciousness. It is about finding kindred souls in my classmates who are of all majors, but who all can challenge me in a second over a common text we have come to love or hate.
Those kindred souls make my community. GW has 10,000 undergraduate students, and the UHP is just 5% of that. Numbers sound important, but what feels important is when I walk into a building and I am welcomed by name, or even by a hug. The Townhouse has become my home base; it is where I work, where I caffeinate, where I study, and where I come to feel a sense of belonging. What feels important is going to Catherine or Mary and asking them to talk me through a decision, or arguing with a fellow student over Nietzsche on our way to a gallery exhibit, when a grade was not hanging in the balance.
Challenge and Community are not two exclusive entities. They feed off one another. My incredible relationship with the UHP staff builds my professional toolbox, as I take leadership roles and – honestly – sometimes make mistakes. I do not seek a passive community, but a community of challenging, sharp, engaged, loving people. People who self-motivate, and glean energy from discussions that make them re-think.
Coming out of the UHP, and GW at large, I have had opportunities for research, networking, internships, professional development, and furthermore, I have learned how to take criticism. The small class sizes, close professorial relationships, and opportunities for leadership have formed me into the ready-set-go young professional and academic that I am. I meet high expectations with gratitude. And if in my career, I find advisers, friends, and mentors, who foster the same curiosity, maturity, and introspect as I have found at the UHP, I’ll be happy.
Kerry Lanzo is a member of the Elliott School of International Affairs Class of 2015, a student staffer at the UHP, and a student peer adviser.
Economics Student-Faculty Panel
Dear Economics Enthusiasts,
On behalf of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, the Undergraduate Economics Association, the Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, and the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Fraternity, we formally invite you to participate in the 2015, GW Economics Student-Faculty Panel.
About the event:
Please join the undergraduate body for a conversation between faculty and students on academic advice, current research climate, and professional development for current and prospective Economics undergraduate students. The panel will begin with a structured discussion, supplemented by student-submitted questions, and it will end with an open Q+A session.
Confirmed speakers to date include Joann Weiner, a Washington Post Columnist; Tara Sinclair, an Economist at Indeed.com; James Foster, a leading Development Economist; and Irene Foster, an Undergraduate Economics professor with an expansive background in Marketing.
The event will be held on Thursday, April 23 in Funger—Room 103, from 7:15-8:15pm. The attire is business casual.
We sincerely hope you can join us for the discussion; we have reached out to you because we recognize your student involvement in the Economics Department.
Please RSVP to the event here, indicating that you will be attending the event. There is also an option to submit a question for the department to answer. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any additional questions at gweconomicspanel@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the event; thank you so much for your continued dedication in promoting academic excellence and leadership on campus.
Sincerely,
Jack Keenan
Jack Keenan is a Junior in CCAS and is a member of the University Honors Program.
Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars Program
The following blog post was written by Jenny Hamilton, a senior in the Elliott School of International Affairs and an Elliott Undergraduate Scholar.
Would you like the opportunity to spend winter break in Haiti or Bosnia? Do you want to probe the minds of top US diplomats on the potential for an embassy in Iran? Would you jump at the chance to present original research at a conference in Chicago or on Capitol Hill?
If you answered yes to any of these questions (and are going to be an Elliott junior or senior spending all of next year here in Foggy Bottom), you might be a good candidate for the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program.
The Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program provides extensive support to a small cohort of students pursuing independent, original research every year. Through the program, you will have the opportunity to:
- Work with a faculty adviser and graduate student mentor.
- Receive a $500 research stipend with the opportunity to apply for additional funding
- Learn about research methodology and the writing process from top GW faculty
- Provide and receive intensive peer review of paper drafts
- Present and publish your research through the Elliott School
Participating in the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program was one of the best decisions I made during my four years at GW. Through the program, I am studying the impact of popular definitions of democracy on democratic legitimacy using African public survey data – in plain terms, I’m investigating whether citizens’ varying conceptions of democracy affects whether or not they believe it is the best form of government. If democratic consolidation isn’t your cup of tea, that’s okay. This year, scholars are studying topics from Liberian land reform to Chinese cybersecurity threats, from Argentinian waste management to Russian immigration policy. Every week, I learn from them as they unveil amazing discoveries and make substantial contributions to their field of international affairs.
If you are considering the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program, a few things to keep in mind:
- Although it counts for your honors thesis, this program is NOT your typical senior thesis. It is a substantial time commitment, so with that being said…
- Make sure to choose a topic you love! If you are passionate about your topic, your year will be amazing. If you are not, it will be miserable.
- Put time into your proposal! If you do not have considerable previous experience with the topic, you will need to take time to do research.
- Make sure you find a faculty advisor with whom you can work well.
The application is due April 13 and has several components, so make sure to start it soon! You can find more information about the application process and the program on the Elliott website here. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at jham93@gwmail.gwu.edu. Best of luck!
GW Troubadours Winter Concert [Recommended Event]
Reasons to come:
1. Our angelic voices
2. Several UHPers will be singing their hearts out
3. FREE SUNDAE STATION
Join the Troubs for an evening of love, laughs, and a cappella at our annual WINTER CONCERT! We’ll be debuting some brand new arrangements, singing some fan favorites, and performing tracks off of our newest album, STUDIO 226!
The GW Philippine Cultural Society will be tabling to raise funds for typhoon relief efforts; donations will be greatly appreciated.
Doors open at 6:30, come by early to enjoy our complimentary sundae station! (Sponsored by the GW Student Dining Board.)
Is it on Facebook? YES. https://www.facebook.com/events/740382445989524/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
Leadership, Friendship, Service [Student Org Profile]
This post is written by UHP Student Peer Advisor Brian Dab, a psychology major currently abroad in France. He’s writing to describe a student org at he’s involved in here at GW. Want to encourage others to get involved in your org? Email uhpspa@gwu.edu about writing a post!
Hellooooo UHPers! I want to tell you about Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a coed community service fraternity and the impact it has on me and other members personally, academically, and professionally. Each semester, active brothers participate in community service throughout the semester. Serving with friends makes the time fly because we’re always making memories, inside jokes, and strengthening friendships. My favorite event was volunteering at a pet adoption, because I love puppies! In addition to community service and our weekly chapter meeting, we engage in fellowship, or social activities. These range from dinner hours to laser tag, and of course our semi-formal and formal events at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. My favorite parts of the week are often the time I get to spend with my brothers who are some of my best friends.
You’ll be surprised by the amazing group of people who are devoted to community service while pursuing a wide variety of majors and also extend to every inch of the GW community. We have brothers who also participate in GW Alt Breaks, are members of the SA and House Staff, and several who are in the UHP. So it is easy to get connected to a brother in APO at GW and I strongly encourage everyone to ask more about what it’s like to be a brother. Many brothers started doing community service in college through DCReads or JumpStart, and brought that experience to the chapter while expanding their experiences in service projects as a brother. Or if community service is something you’ve always wanted to do but never had an organized way of participating, then look into rushing. I challenge all of you to attend ONE rush event this Spring or another semester during your college career. It’s never too late!
Through APO I have been connected to new job and internship opportunities and to other organizations around campus, such as Relay for Life for which I Co-Captained the UHP team last year. My best friends and support group lay heavily with my brothers. My career goals and plans have been influenced by my experience in APO. Most importantly, I realized that community service isn’t something we all need to MAKE time for it’s something we HAVE time for. If you’re looking for a place at GW, if you have plenty of commitments already, or if you feel content I still encourage think you have something to gain from Alpha Phi Omega and the fraternity has even more to gain from you.
Camp Kesem: CK ALL DAY [Student Org Profile]
Welcome to a new column where UHPers can shine the spotlight on orgs they’re involved in at GW right here on the UHP blog! Want to get the word out about your org and tell the rest of the UHP why it’s awesome? Want to encourage others to get involved in your org? Email uhpspa@gwu.edu about writing a post!
Hello UHPers! My name is Shailly and I am one of Camp Kesem GW’s Volunteer Coordinators for the 2013-2014 year. For those of you who are unfamiliar with our organization, we hold a free one-week summer camp for the children of past and present cancer patients in the DC area. We began in 2007 with 10 campers and 12 counselors and have now grown to a goal of 100 campers and 50 counselors for the summer of 2014. Throughout the year, we hold fundraisers of varying sizes and types to help us raise enough funds for camp – this year our goal is to raise $75,000!
So why should you love camp? Check out this video to get a better idea of what an amazing week camp is! Our kids range from 6-18 years old, but all of them have grown up too fast dealing with the very serious topic of cancer. We provide a space for them to just act like kids and do crazy fun activities, like arts & crafts and messy games!
Camp is really like a big family (and I know how cliché that sounds, BUT IT’S SO TRUE). I joined my sophomore year and knew instantly that this group of absolutely eccentric and passionate people was going to be so fun to work with. Two years later, I’m close friends with just about everyone in camp, I’ve served as a camp counselor for two years, I’ve held two different E-board positions, and I’ve been a unit leader for the cutest of the cute (the 6-7 year olds, ahhhh BABIES).
This year, I’m reaching out to student organizations (maybe you’ve seen me at yours…) to find the best of the best to be counselors for the next year and to encourage everyone I know (and even random strangers) to apply! This organization has changed my life in so many ways and I know it is something that will stick with me forever. I just want to share the joy of camp with as many people as possible! We’ll also be holding some fun camp-y activities throughout the year for anyone to come hang out with us.
Counselor applications are available on our website as of SUNDAY, October 20th! All of our upcoming events are posted there as well. Come visit us at any of our counselor info sessions next week, OR at our reunion next Saturday, October 26th (yeah, we’re everywhere)!
Also, like us on Facebook to look at camp photos from the past year and to stay updated on all camp events! We’re also on Twitter, Instagram, and Shutterfly, sooo you really can’t escape us. :]
Any of you who know me, know camp is my life. I have enough CK clothing to wear only that everyday, and I regularly do. If you see me around, ASK ME ABOUT CAMP! I loveeeeeeeeee talking about it and I promise you won’t regret learning more.
