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TRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Eastern Washington University

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Darlene Gilroy Preferred 2020

Darlene Gilroy is a student at Eastern Washington University where she studies Geology. She is currently working on an independent research project investigating the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments (see research below). She has presented on this project at the 2019 Murdock College Science Research Conference in Tacoma WA, the 2020 WE-STEM conference at EWU, and the EWU Virtual Symposium. Darlene has also attended Monterey Peninsula College where she obtained her Associates degree in Science with an emphasis in Administration of Justice. Darlene would like to focus future research in areas such as Anthropogenic Climate Change and Natural and Geologic Hazards, through the lens of Geochemistry. Darlene has been selected to receive a second EWU McNair Summer Research Internship for the summer of 2020.

2019-2020 McNair Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Carmen Nezat (Environmental Science)

Research Title: Chemical Weathering of the Sediments Deposited by the 1980 Mt. St. Helens Eruption and its Effect on Stream Water Chemistry

Abstract: Chemical weathering is an ongoing natural phenomenon that aids in the breakdown of solid rocks, and contributes to the chemistry of natural waters and soils. Therefore, studying chemical weathering in a given area may provide a better understanding of the natural influencers on nearby water chemistry. The eruption of Mount St. Helens (MSH) in 1980 provides a unique opportunity to study the chemical weathering of young rocks which typically weather more rapidly than older rocks. The aim of the study was to determine the relative resistance of the volcanic rocks from the 1980 MSH eruption to chemical weathering by using a sequential leaching process. Sediments were collected from the streams and leached with the following solutions to simulate chemical weathering: ultra-pure water (H2O), 1 N acetic acid (CH3COOH), and 1 N nitric acid (HNO3). The leaches were analyzed for Ca, Na, K, Fe, Mg, and Al using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Results show that each successive leach was capable breaking down more resistant minerals. Future research includes interpreting the composition of the leaches to determine which minerals each removed from the stream sediments.

Darlene Gilroy Graduate School Acceptances 2021 PSU

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Accepted by Geology Masters Program at PSU

By Jaeger, Corinne | 03/16/2021
Darlene Geology Presentation 2021

EWU McNair Scholars Present their STEM Research and Experiences

By Jaeger, Corinne | 02/02/2021
1 Darlene Gilroy Research 2020

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Completes Second Summer of Research

By Jaeger, Corinne | 11/06/2020
Darlene Gilroy Grant Announcements 2020

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Awarded Research Grant

By Tennyson, Bryn | 10/23/2020
Nine EWU McNair Scholars Present at Baylor McNair Research Conference

Nine EWU McNair Scholars Present at Baylor McNair Research Conference

By Jaeger, Corinne | 10/09/2020
Darlene Gilroy Scholarship Announcements 2020

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Awarded Two Scholarships

By Jaeger, Corinne | 08/10/2020
18 Scholars Present at 2020 Symposium

18 EWU McNair Scholars Present at EWU Virtual Symposium

By Jaeger, Corinne | 06/10/2020
Darlene Gilroy McNair Continuing Scholar Announcements 2020

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Selected for Second EWU McNair Summer Research Internship

By Jaeger, Corinne | 06/08/2020
Darlene Gilroy Murdock 2.jpeg

Darlene Gilroy, EWU McNair Scholar and Environmental Geology major, attends prestigious Murdock College Science Research Conference in Vancouver, WA

By Patolo, Najeda | 11/14/2019
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