GRDA/NSU Scenic Rivers and Watershed Research Fellowship
GRDA/NSU Scenic Rivers and Watershed Research Fellowship 2022-2023
The GRDA/ NSU Scenic Rivers and Watershed Research Fellowship Program is designed to allow students to pursue research on the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers and watershed, in the areas of environmental science, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, water quality, and management. This program will provide two individual scholarships that will cover tuition and fees, as well as a stipend to defray the costs of books and room and board. Those students earning scholarships will also be paid hourly during the academic year of up to support their research activities. Fellowships will be appointed on a yearly basis.
Recipients of the scholarship will be required to locate a research adviser and develop and implement a research project with the help of NSU faculty and GRDA staff members. Students must register for the GRDA Scenic Rivers Research credit each semester. Students will also be required to present their research at least one local/ regional conference and at NSU Undergraduate Research Day during the spring semester.
Potential Project Topics and Advisors
•Freshwater mussel surveys: (Zamor, Hallman) This study involves identification and
monitoring of freshwater mussel populations in the GRDA Scenic Rivers watershed region.
Spatial analysis will be conducted via GIS.
•Aquatic invertebrates: (Zamor, Hallman) This study involves identification and monitoring
of aquatic invertebrate populations within the GRDA Scenic Rivers watershed region.
Spatial analysis will be conducted via GIS.
•Fecal coliform bacteria: (Zamor, Hallman) Fecal coliform bacteria in freshwater may
indicate the presence of sewage contamination. Additionally, they are markers indicating
that pathogenic organisms may be present. Monitoring fecal coliform bacteria in the
waters within the Scenic Rivers watershed will include sampling, analysis, and monitoring.
Spatial analysis will be conducted via GIS.
•Real-time phosphate sensor vs. field collection: (Buckholtz, Zamor) This study involves
comparing real-time remote sensing measurements with established measurement protocols
to ensure that both measurements are the same.
•Inventory invasive plant species: (Waring) This study involves the identification
and cataloging of invasive species on easements within the GRDA Scenic Rivers watershed
region.
•Change in flow regime, gravel bars and erosion: (Hallman) This study will investigate
flow regime, gravel bars, and erosion changes in the GRDA Scenic Rivers Watershed
by using remote sensing and GIS to map stream channel alterations.
•Application of algae removal in blooms: (Buckholtz, Zamor) This project involves
centrifuge collection of algae in bloom areas. We would be examining the feasibility,
economic impact, ecological impact, and scalability.
•Ecology and restoration of rivercane populations: (Waring, Hallman) This project
involves identification and monitoring of rivercane environments within the Scenic
Rivers watershed region. There are additional projects to be done within the rivercane
mesocosms being set up on campus. Spatial analysis will be conducted via GIS.
•Movement of carbon through aquatic ecosystems: (Waring) This project involves examining
the relationships between aquatic invertebrates, fungi, and bacteria in the decomposition
of leaf litter. This work could be done in the stream or in microcosm buckets.
•Estimating Fluvial Bathymetry with Recreational Grade Drone Video: (McIntosh) Knowledge
of underwater topography is important for many environmental applications such as
habitat mapping or flood modeling. This study will test methods of estimating the
water depth to generate underwater topography using imagery from a drone. The work
will include flying the drone to capture the imagery, application of techniques to
estimate water depth and collecting measurements in the field to evaluate the accuracy
and applicability of those techniques for use on the Illinois River.
•Monitoring trash in Town Branch Creek: (Waring) This project will involve monthly
collection of trash in Town Branch Creek near campus and cataloging what is collected.
Ideally the end of this project will be used in community outreach.
Please submit the following:
1. A 750 word essay describing 1) why you are interested in the environmental sciences
field and 2) an environmental research project idea you might be interested in conducting,
if you were to receive this scholarship.
2. Select three project topics you might be interested in from the list provided (See
above)
3. A resume or CV
GPA – 2.5 or higher
Must be a junior or senior
Deadline: July 28th, 2021