S-STEM Scholar RJ Mabry's Blog

The last time we met, I was over the moon about how it seemed like all things in my life were working in tandem. Because of this, everything in my life is declaring the upmost importance all at once. This week was calm research wise, as Dr. Hamdan and I are still waiting on our samples. Although they should definitely be done by our next sit down on Thursday. I was supposed to meet her last Monday, but (in case you had not heard) the National Guard has been activated to do certain state initiatives. As a new NCO who's just been moved to one of the most administratively powerful units in the state, I was pulled onto orders to assist with the mission. I'm not a fan of cameras, so I'm glad I was able to hide all day. I've been asked to work about two times a week since early April and while I fear my requesting them to look elsewhere first will negatively impact my performance review, its what I have to do in order to not miss half a week of school at a time. I trust the...

Good News! Yesterday I received an email from Dr. Jean Larson at ASU stating that I've been accepted to their CBBG REU! At first I was worried that the schedule requests (40 hrs/week and no outside employment) would conflict with my military commitment. However, I was incredibly pleased to hear that they're more than understanding and will try to work with my unit (who is also supportive of this). While this opportunity is very Biology and Sustainability focused (which, sorry, IS NOT MY PASSION), I figured getting extra experience in will help me obtain other scholarships as I progress. I made sure to reiterate that I am a chemistry major (with a minor in Material Sciences- working towards an MS Engineering Master's), and that while I was honored to be selected I wanted to be sure that I would be working on something focused in Chem. While this is to ensure that I gain relevant experience, I wanted to be sure I was not taking the seat of a sustainability or Environment...

It finally happened! Today Dr. Hamdan and I collected our soil samples. We traveled out to the site off of the 87 but it was not without its hiccups. Like a dingus, I didn't double check my email the night before (or even this morning). Unlike a normal, sane person I drove straight out to Tonto National Forest without a second thought. I later realized my mistake after waiting about 20 minutes, when it finally occurred to me to check with Dr. Hamdan. While I had almost no cellphone reception, I could somehow check my email....To which there were three emails.... After this hiccup, we started collecting samples around 10 am. We decided upon a 50 feet stretch spanning the width of the range. From there we collected one sample every 10 by 10 feet. We first gently removed the top layer of rock and debris to collect a couple ounces of superficial soil. We were lucky enough to obtain a GPS (costing a couple thousand dollars). The GPS is on the left with our sample plans and baggi...