Each semester, Wyoming EPSCoR selects and funds twenty or more
Undergraduate Research Fellowships. These fellowships are excellent
opportunities for students to gain quality experience in research, prepare for
graduate programs, and obtain practical knowledge.
As a Petroleum Engineering student at the University ofWyoming, Andrea Alvarez was interested in the relationship between water with
oil and gas extraction.
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| Andrea Alvarez |
This interest led her to Dr. Ginger Paige, a professor in
Ecosystem Science & Management at UW. As an EPSCoR Undergraduate Fellow,
Andrea has the opportunity to study and conduct research under the direction of
Ginger.
“I’m studying water quality analysis on the Wind River Indian Reservation,” says Andrea. “When people think of petroleum, they don’t really
think of water, they think of oil and gas. But in reality, they’re very closely
related.”
Although she’s conducting research in a field different from
petroleum engineering, Andrea has enjoyed the challenge.
“The most challenging part is the fact that I don’t know much
about water quality,” she says. “I came in from a totally different field. But
it’s shown me my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to working in a field
that I don’t know.”
Throughout her time as a fellow, Andrea has learned a lot about
water quality, but she’s also learned about herself and the world around her.
“Doing this really gave me a better idea of what grad school
would be like,” Andrea says. “It showed me where I would be lacking and where I
would have advantages. It kind of just broadened my horizons overall.”
For other students thinking about applying for fellowships,
Andrea encourages others to give it a shot.
“Get out of your comfort zone,” she says. “Try everything
once.”
By Robin Rasmussen
Photo courtesy of Andrea Alvarez
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