Environmental Protection Agency Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Student Fellowships Newsletter Issue 1, 2004
Fellow Spotlight
Milan Griffin, 2004 GRO Fellow
If not for the encouragement of her advisor
at Spelman College, Milan Griffin might not
have applied for the EPA Greater Research
Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fel-
lowship Program. "He encouraged me to
take advantage of this great opportunity to
broaden my knowledge in the field of envi-
ronmental science, gain valuable career
experience, and receive funds that financed
the last 2 years of my college education."
Mentors really do make a difference.
Milan interned with the EPA's Environmental
Justice (EJ) program in Region 4, where she
was charged with many tasks, including
developing a model for best practices in EJ,
specifically in the permitting process. This
internal guide will help to better incorporate
EJ in Region 4 programs and practices. Milan
also conducted research to find emergency
relief for an EJ community in Delray Beach,
FL; compiled census data for the Hispanic
Environmental Justice Outreach Campaign;
and participated in outreach initiatives.
Fellow Spotlight
Norman Meres: ECO Alum's En-
vironmental Activism Keeps GROir
Mentoring Profile
My Environmental Legacy
Given her past experience with internships,
Milan was unsure what to expect. "My
internships in the past had not been chal-
lenging. Beyond typing, faxing, and copy-
ing, I was not given projects that required
the extensive application of my skills." As
she settled into her internship, it became
quite clear that this experience was not like
the others. "I was given several projects that
required me to be resourceful; to apply my
skills, abilities, and intellect, and to work
independently. I gained so much more than
what I expected through this internship. I
have received a firm understanding of the
inner workings of the EPA. I also gained a
first-hand lesson on the processes of a fed-
eral agency, programs and developments by
the EPA, the progress the EPA has made in
achieving environmental protection, and the
obstacles that the Agency faces."
Milan believes that the lessons of this ex-
perience helped direct her future career and
educational goals and gave her a different
perspective on ways to achieve environmen-
tal protection. "This internship made me
realize how vital environmental protection is
for all citizens and the urgency there is to
protect the environment's health." O
2003-2004 GRO Undergraduate
Student Fellowship Recipients-
Summer Project Placements
A Career Tip
"Cyah Says"
Norman Meres: ECO
Alum's Environmental
Activism Keeps GROing
Despite the fact that Norman Meres' in-
ternship ended in 1994, he has remained a
part of the Environmental Careers Organi-
zation (ECO) family through the Alumni
Program. His fellowship took place at the
EPA lab in Gulf Breeze, EL, where he
explored the biological degradation of jet
fuels by bacteria under the guidance of Dr.
Peter Chapman. The internship "was a very
important factor in my deciding to work in
an area of microbiology and molecular biol-
ogy as it relates to environmental science.
The most important things to me were the
new techniques that I learned. I originally
had a background in chemistry. Through
my internship, I was able to develop my
skills in microbiology and see how it could
be combined with biochemistry in a way
that was relevant to environmental science."
Norman adds, "My internship experience
exceeded my expectations. I expected to work
independently under the guidance of an
experienced scientist. However, I hadn't
realized that I would be learning so many
new techniques."
Norman is an adjunct instructor at North-
ern Virginia Community College in the
Environmental and Natural Sciences Di-
vision at the Woodbridge campus. He also
is working on his doctorate in the
Environmental Science and Public Policy
continued on page 2
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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A Mentoring Profile
contined from page 1
Stan Austin, Branch Chief in the U.S.
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and
Watersheds, has been with the Agency for 20
years. During this time, he has sponsored sev-
eral EPA Fellows.
Stan's Mentoring Philosophy:
The way Stan sees it, a Fellow usually
approaches the internship with an interest in a
particular topic and also brings a specific set
of skills. He believes that it is the responsibil-
ity of the sponsoring Mentor/Project Advisor
to mesh these skills with the needs of the
sponsoring office. This process is not always
straightforward and often requires the
Mentor/Project Advisor to be creative. For
example, "If a Fellow arrives with an interest
in graphic design, I try to develop a project
that uses this skill to meet real program needs,
such as developing a Web site on restoring
wetlands. If I observe, for example, that this
intern needs to enhance his or her aptitude
with a particular required graphics program, I
strive to supplement the Associate's day-to-
day work with helpful training." Stan believes
that providing training opportunities for
Fellows enables them to gain valuable skills
that help them excel not only in their intern-
ship activities but also in their future career
endeavors.
Stan also understands that the internship
experience is a mutual growth opportunity for
both the Fellow and the sponsor. According
to Stan, "The Fellows who have passed
through this office have come from a variety
of different backgrounds and geographic
locations, bringing with them fresh perspec-
tives gained from their academic pursuits.
The program has provided my office with a
constant flow of new ideas that would not
have existed otherwise."
Stan's advice to Fellows is, "Never be idle. Take
advantage of your internship experience to
build and enhance your skills and make new
contacts by actively pursing new opportunities.
Ask if you can contribute to a new project or
attend a meeting or training opportunity. If you
do not take the initiative, you will not make the
most of your ECO experience."
Stan continues to mentor EPA Fellows. This
summer, his office sponsored several new
interns, including Alexander Moore, a member
of the 2003-2004 GRO Fellowship Class. &
Department at George Mason University,
concentrating in molecular environmental
biology. Norman is investigating the causes
of disease in American lobsters, applying
molecular biology techniques to the en-
vironmental field. In addition to his work at
the University, Norman is passing on his
environmental legacy through his relation-
ship with the Boy Scouts of Herndon, VA,
as an assistant Cubmaster. But he wanted to
do more.
As a member of the Alumni Network,
Norman heard about the ECO Cookie
Project Grants and decided to turn an en-
vironmental problem into a service project
for his local Boy Scouts chapter. Because
the lead sinkers and rigs used in fishing are
often ingested by and kill migratory water-
fowl, he proposed a Fishing Weight
Exchange Program in cooperation with the
Boy Scouts. Lead sinkers can be replaced
with a variety of materials, but bismuth is the
preferred, environmentally safe substitute.
Unfortunately, bismuth is a more expensive
option than lead. Although some states of-
fer government and/or privately sponsored
exchanges to trade lead weights for free
bismuth replacements, there was no such
program in Virginia until Norman's propos-
al. Thanks to his vision and the recent award
of his Cookie Project Grant, he and the
Scouts will promote this program through
exchange booths at local fishing derbies,
popular fishing locations, and sporting goods
stores and by giving presentations about why
to stop using lead. The project is in the ini-
tial planning stages and should begin soon.
For more information about the ECO
Cookie Project Grants, see: http://www
eco.org/sponsors/cookieproj.html. £
My Environmental
Legacy
By Avonelle Rodney, 2004 GRO Fellow
"At first I was hesitant and procrastinated
with my application to the GRO Under-
graduate Fellowship Program. I thought EPA
wouldn't want a sophomore from a small pri-
vate university. However, my advisor did not
let me give in to my doubts. She saw some-
thing in me I failed to recognize in myself—
potential. I knew I had to do this for the great
opportunities that the fellowship offered.
I interned in Washington, DC, at EPA head-
quarters, with the Green Chemistry pro-
gram. I worked on a variety of projects,
including the Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Awards and the Green Chemistry
Education Program.
At the end of the program, I was given an
opportunity to choose a project, and I chose
outreach. There are many green chemistry
education resources available to college stu-
dents, teachers, and businesses, so I wanted to
design a green chemistry educational game or
activity for high school and pre-high school
students. I offered a few ideas and participat-
ed in meetings with EPA staff and contrac-
tors. Now this project is in high gear.
I have a new perspective about chemistry
and its impact on the environment and our
health. Given the tide of my internship pro-
gram, my initial expectation was that I would
be able to expand my chemistry knowledge.
Not only did I build on what I already knew,
I learned so much more, and most of all I
learned about green chemistry. This fall I
will be volunteering with Hands On Miami,
and I will try to continue educating others
and myself about green chemistry and pol-
lution prevention."
If you'd like to learn more about the
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Awards and the Green Chemistry Education
Program, visit http://www.epa.gov/green-
chemistry/presgcc.html. &
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Summer Project Placements
Tesha Boado
California State University, Fresno
Major: Molecular Biology
Tesha interned in San Francisco with EPA Region
9 as a Waste Reduction Team Associate. She
worked with the team conducting research, doing
outreach, and supporting innovative grant proj-
ects on waste reduction, recycling, buying recycled
products, and "green" building.
Melody Covington
Norfolk State University
Major: Biology
Melody interned in Atlanta with EPA Region 4 as a
Lead-Based Paint Associate. She worked as a mem-
ber of the lead-based paint team to locate, quantify,
and determine the status of all homes owned by the
Department of Defense and National Park Service
in Region 4.
Millie Gonzalez
University of Puerto Rico, Huacao
Major: Microbiology
Millie interned in Athens, GA, with EPA Region 4 as
a Microbiology Lab Associate. She compared the
structure of the microbial communities inhabiting
the cyanobacterial mats from Cabo Rojo Solar
Salterns, Puerto Rico, and determined whether the
communities are affected by seasonal changes.
Danielle Goode
North Carolina A&T University
Major: Electronics Technology
Danielle interned in Atlanta with EPA Region 4 as
a Class V Data Updates Associate. She reviewed
records of field inventories to determine ways to
research missing or incorrect information.
Milan Griffin
Spelnian College
Major: Political Science
Milan interned in Atlanta with EPA Region 4 as
an Environmental Justice Awareness Series
Associate. She assisted the Environmental
Justice/Community Liaison Staff Office in devel-
oping and organizing a series of lectures to raise
the awareness of EPA staff and EPA stakehold-
ers regarding environmental justice.
Sarah Jamison
Spelnian College
Major: Biology
Sarah interned in Edison, NJ, with EPA Region 2
as a Laboratory Technician Microbiology Asso-
ciate. She assisted in the biological examination of
recreational water to detect, identify, and enu-
merate bacterial indicator organisms.
Shara Johnson
Alabama A&M University
Major: Natural/Life Sciences
Shara interned in Atlanta with EPA Region 4 as an
Enforcement Intern. She participated in the Gulf
Enforcement Section, in the Biosolids Work
Group. The project focused on the standards for
the use or disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids).
Ruth Le'au
University of Hawai'i, Monoa
Major: Biology
Ruth interned in San Francisco with EPA Region 9
as a Policy Associate. She researched corporate own-
ership and facility history for various carbon regen-
eration facilities and assisted in reviewing grants con-
cerning community-based participatory research.
Alexander Moore
Howard University
Major: Chemistry
Alexander interned in Washington, DC, at EPA
headquarters, as a Policy Associate. He researched
the needs of state, tribal, and local governments to
improve their ability to protect, manage, and
restore wetlands. He also learned how wetland
restoration techniques can be improved to better
replicate wetland functions and values.
Daberat Perez-Rivera
Universidad Metropolitana
Major: Environmental Science
Daberat interned in Boston with EPA Region 1
as a Beach Program Associate. She performed
sanitation surveys for specific watershed
draining to beaches, analyzed beach closure
data, and assisted with public outreach activ-
ities.
Jermaine Perry
North Carolina A&T University
Major: Bioenvironmental Engineering
Jermaine interned in New York with EPA Region
2 as a Brownfields Assistant. He became a part of
the team providing assistance to cities, munici-
palities, and local governments engaged in
Brownfields activities.
Avonelle Rodney
Saint Thomas University
Major: Biology
Avonelle interned in Washington, DC, at EPA
headquarters, as a Green Chemistry Associate.
She participated in the 2004 Presidential Green
Chemistry Challenge Awards Ceremony and
the 2004 Green Chemistry and Engineering
Conference. Avonelle also assisted with outreach
efforts and technical analysis.
Ericka Thomas
Norfolk State University
Major: Chemistry
Ericka interned in Atlanta with EPA Region 4 as
an Environmental Justice Research Associate. She
researched key issues that were used in the region-
al Environmental Justice Stakeholder Forum. She
researched the results of previous stakeholder
involvement efforts for input related to environ-
mental justice.
Meredith Titterton
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
Major: Biology
Meredith interned in Edison, NJ, with EPA
Region 2 as a Helicopter Monitoring Program
Associate. She collected water samples from a
helicopter and analyzed them for bacteria, phyto-
plankton, and/or dissolved oxygen. She also moni-
tored the NY/NJ Harbor Complex from a
helicopter for floating debris with the potential to
affect bathing beaches. jg^
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A Career Tip
Ten Career Skills All Environmental Professionals Need
In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency conducted a workforce assessment proj-
ect and determined that the Agency was well
stocked with good engineers and scientists, but
needed employees who could bring people
together, communicate well with the public, nav-
igate bureaucratic obstacles, and generally do
things a little differently Many employees of
environmental agencies and companies have rec-
ognized themselves in this list of essential skills.
Do you? Take a moment to assess your own
competency levels on:
4. Creativity, innovative thinking
5. Broad understanding of science
6. Analytical ability, critical thinking, and
problem-solving
7. Work orientation, professionalism, and
positive attitude
8. Occupation-specific skills and knowl-
edge
1. Communication skills (oral and written) 9. Mastery of information technology,
including GIS
2. Collaboration abilities and team orienta-
tion 10. Leadership ability.
3. Customer service orientation (focus on
serving an audience's needs)
Now is the time to enhance or develop those
skills you do not already have. ^jy
Several of our Fellows mentioned
the importance of their mentors in
persuading them to pursue intern-
ships with the GRO Fellowship Pro-
gram. If you have a mentor already,
keep in mind how lucky you are that
this professional is taking time out of
his or her busy schedule to help you.
If you don't have a mentor, try to
approach any professionals you
know through your school or work
experience. And remember that you,
too, can mentor your peers and those
just starting to explore an environ-
mental career. Above all, keep taking;
chances and making the most of
opportunities around you. You'll
never know unless you try.
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