Trace gas biogeochemistry research
Robert Rhew, Professor
Geography
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
We are will accept up to 3 Fall URAP students to join the Atmospheric Biogeochemistry Laboratory for projects involving the terrestrial sources and sinks of trace gases in the atmosphere, including methane, methyl halides, hydrogen, and hydrocarbons. Students will gain laboratory skills and experience, including: prepping air sampling equipment, conducting laboratory chamber incubations, and analyzing samples on a gas chromatograph/ mass spectrometer (GC/MS) and laser based instrumentation. We are building things! Students will design equipment to simulate natural processes that can affect trace gas emissions. There may be the opportunity to continue field and lab research for senior thesis research, and committed undergraduates have earned co-authorship on peer reviewed papers. Most URAP students participate for more than one semester, as the first semester is largely training. Lab meetings occur every other week in addition to regularly scheduled work hours.
Role: Tasks: Laboratory maintenance, instrument design, controlled experiments, soil measurements, analysis of results, presentation of results, and some field work possible.
Learning outcomes: Knowledge of gas flow and trace gas measurement, ability to keep good records, an understanding of atmospheric chemistry, and development of good laboratory techniques.
Qualifications: Qualifications: Highly motivated undergraduate (sophomore to senior) majoring in atmospheric science, earth system science, chemistry, biological science, engineering or related fields. Applicants must be able to problem solve, do careful research independently, have a respect for data quality and be able to work in a team of scientists. If interested in field work, the field work can be physically challenging, and applicants should be able to do clean measurements under earthy conditions. Applicants should have taken at least one laboratory class, such as Chem Lab, Bio Lab, or Geog 143. Do not apply if you are over committed to a heavy course load, as you will need to set aside at least two 3 hour blocks of time to work in the laboratory.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: During week: on-campus
Related website: https://robertrhew.org/
Environmental Issues Mathematical and Physical Sciences