Sustainable Race Guide with Sand and Surf 5k/10k Race:

During my Internship with Clean Virginia Waterways, I combined my passion for running with my passion for sustainability and created a sustainable racing guide. I wrote a comprehensive race plan with sustainability recommendations for race organizers, but then I condensed it into this flyer for wider audiences. I utilized some of these sustainable practices and applied them to a real race, the Sand and Surf 5k/10k run. I planned, organized, and promoted the event by corresponding with the race company, creating social media content, and creating a sponsorship package. Through this experience, I also developed my oral communication skills by being invited to speak about the race on the local Hampton Roads News Show.

Social Media Content for Clean Virginia Waterways

Below are some examples of social media content I created for the Clean Virginia Waterways Facebook and Instagram accounts. This experience allowed me to refine my graphic design skills, and I learned how to use Canva more efficiently. Overall, I created about 17 infographics for both promotional and educational purposes. Many of my infographics centered around recommending sustainable practices for Plastic Free July while others promoted our cleanups and events.

Honors Capstone Project, Environmental Justice Qualitative Research Paper Fall 2026 – Ongoing

For my honors capstone project at UMW, I am currently working on my written communication skills by writing a qualitative research paper about environmental justice. I selected a case study, coal dust pollution in Hampton Roads, and I conducted background research into the environmental justice literature.

From there, I will collect qualitative data about the coal dust problem by interviewing residents, local activists, and environmental organizations. In the spring, I will compile the data and analyze the results. Then, I will report my findings in a roughly 20 page research paper. After the culmination of writing the paper, I will also strengthen my oral communication skills by presenting my findings to an audience.

Undergraduate Research Environmental Justice Soil Science Pilot Project Fall 2024 – Spring 2025

For my other research project, I also studied environmental justice; however, this project was centered around toxic metals in Fredericksburg soil. Additionally, this project was collaborative rather than individual. Through this project, I ultimately developed my teamwork and collaboration skills by learning how to communicate with one another how to coordinate our tasks.

First, we began the project by taking soil samples from several sites in varying census blocks across the city. Then, we divided our samples among the three of us to perform tests. I analyzed the texture and measured the pH of each sample. Additionally, I measured the organic matter content in the samples by heating them at a set temperature. I found the concentrations of metals in the soil by performing an acid digestion test, using a centrifuge, and conducting an ICP analysis.

From there, I analyzed the data from my samples using excel and ran correlations using Stata. We combined our data and analysis to collectively create a published poster. Additionally, I practiced my oral communication skills by presenting this poster along with my team at the National Soil Science Society Conference in 2024 and a Regional Geological Society Conference in 2025.

Environmental Impact Analysis for Energy Consulting Portfolio, Energy Resources and Technology – Fall 2026

For my energy, resources and technology class, I am actively part of a group creating a renewable energy portfolio for the city of Portland, Maine. Through this project, I am learning how to use professional language to effectively recommend energy solutions both through written and oral communication.

My role is to write an environmental impact statement and to serve as the presentation lead. In my first assignment above, the Community Narrative, I researched Portland in depth to become familiar with its natural and cultural resources in order to make recommendations for renewables.

My next assignment requires me to coordinate with my group members, write a report on how their proposed sources will impact the environment of the city, and to suggest mitigation solutions. This project will then conclude with a 20 minute presentation to “our clients” of which I will utilize my leadership skills to facilitate coordination between my group members.

Climate Change Educational Video, Earth’s Climate – Spring 2026

For my Paleoclimate class, I was assigned an activism project where I had to educate an audience about climate change, and I decided to create a YouTube video. I wrote a script, edited the clips, and researched climate change myths, evidence, and future impact. Additionally, I illustrated all the visuals in the video. Also, I promoted the video by sharing it on my personal social media and the UMW Sustainability’s social media. Then, I gave a presentation to my peers about my impact which helped me practice my oral communication skills.

Climate Disasters and Public Opinion on Climate Change, Quantitative Research Paper, Research and Writing in Political Science – Fall 2025

For my research and writing in political science course, I researched a question of my own choosing and wrote a 20 page research paper. This project really strengthened my ability to write in academic language to effectively communicate my research findings. Ultimately, I decided to research how climate disasters influenced public opinion on climate change. First, I created a survey asking participants about their perceptions on anthropogenic climate change based on their personal experience with climate disasters. I also read and assessed the literature on climate disasters and public opinion to write my literature review. Then, I learned coding using R and Stata and ran correlations to create crosstabs and linear regressions from the survey data. I exercised my critical thinking skills by producing graphs in excel, and analyzing the results to write my research paper. Lastly, I gave two presentations about my project to a group of my peers, increasing my ability to orally communicate my research findings in an academic setting.

Life Cycle Analysis, Pollution Prevention Planning – Spring 2025

For my Pollution Prevention Planning course, I was tasked with performing a life cycle analysis comparing two kinds of a product from every stage of production. I chose to compare Tide detergent and a more “eco-friendly” alternative. I researched and analyzed the sustainability reports and practices from both companies to evaluate the best sustainable operation. This project really influenced my career path the most and made me very interested in working in sustainability.