Laura McBride '16

Creation of an Annotated Bibliography of the Kittatinny Ridge in Pennsylvania as a Tool for Developing Conservation and Research Priorities

Major/minor: Chemistry Major / Environmental Science Minor
Hometown: Eagleville, PA
Project mentor: Dr. Diane Husic

Project Details:

1. Briefly describe your SOAR project.
   I created an annotated bibliography pertaining to the Kittatinny Ridge (otherwise known as Blue Mountain) in Pennsylvania. An annotated bibliography is similar to a works cited page, except each reference contains a two to three sentence description of what the source is about. I searched through databases, search engines, and libraries to find any articles, reports, books, etc. on research and other writings corresponding to the Kittatinny Ridge.  
    
2. What motivated you to participate in SOAR? 
   I was interested in conducting a SOAR project as a way of finding what I would like to do in my future. I am a chemistry major that is interested in the environment, and doing this project helped me find chemical studies that have been done along the Kittatinny Ridge, which I might want to pursue as another research project at Moravian University. 
    
3. What are the results of your work on this project? 
   At the end of the SOAR research period, I found 562 references relating to the Ridge. My bibliography is posted as a link on the Lehigh Gap Nature Center website and will be printed as multiple copies for the different organizations that will use it for conservation efforts.
    
4. What are your personal takeaways from the project? And do you plan to continue work on this project after SOAR? 
   The SOAR program is an amazing opportunity that allows undergraduate students to gain more knowledge outside of the classroom, become closer to their advisor, and experience conducting research. SOAR also provides opportunities to present your research, through weekly meetings and the Landmark Conference. My project happens to be one that can never be finished, because there will always be more research that can pertain to the Kittatinny Ridge. While I am still at Moravian University, I plan on adding additional references to my bibliography to expand it and make it more comprehensive. I had a lot of fun working with Dr. Husic this summer, and I would like to thank the SOAR program and Dr. Husic for giving me this opportunity.

Biographical Information:

1. What clubs/sports/activities/community service are you involved in? 
   I have been a member of the color guard for three years. I am secretary of the Environmental Coalition, also known as the Eco Club, member of the American Chemical Society Chapter at Moravian, and the South Campus Volunteer Coordinator for the Green Move-Out Committee. I have also been a tutor and organic lab assistant.
    
2. Have you received any awards/recognitions here? 
   Moravian awarded me the Comenius Scholarship for each of my academic years, and I have been on the dean’s list every semester so far. I was recently awarded the Louis and Esther Bader Memorial Scholarship in Chemistry.
    
3. Briefly, what are your future plans and career goals? 
   After I graduate from Moravian, I plan to continue my education by going to graduate school and earn my doctorate in environmental chemistry. Ultimately, I would like to be an environmental chemistry or regular chemistry professor at an undergraduate institution.