Darlene Gilroy

Darlene Gilroy graduated from Eastern Washington University in summer 2021 with a bachelor of science degree in Geology. At EWU with the guidance of mentor Dr. Carmen Nezat, she worked on an independent research project investigating the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments (see research below), presenting 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 would like to focus future research in areas such as Anthropogenic Climate Change and Natural and Geologic Hazards, through the lens of Geochemistry.

For graduate school, she was accepted into the Master’s Program in Geology at San Jose State University, and the Master’s Program in Geology at Portland State University, where she began attending in Fall 2021. She is currently working as a Staff Geologist at GRI.

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

Presentation Poster

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.

Congratulations! Darlene Gilroy, Awarded Graduate Student Assistantship at Portland State University

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Awarded Graduate Student Assistantship at PSU

07/07/2021

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene was awarded a graduate student assistantship at Portland State University. This spring Darlene was accepted by San Jose State University’s Geology Masters program with funding and accepted by Portland State University’s Geology Masters program. Darlene plans to attend Portland State University in the fall of 2022. Darlene … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Accepted by Geology Masters Program at San Jose State University

04/29/2021

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene was accepted by San Jose State University’s Geology Masters program with funding. She was also accepted by Portland State University. Darlene has completed two summer internships with EWU McNair. Her research focuses on the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat. Darlene has … Read more

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

03/16/2021

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene was accepted by Portland State University’s Geology Masters program. Darlene has completed two summer internships with EWU McNair. Her research focuses on the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat. Darlene has presented on her research at the 2019 Murdock College Science Research … Read more

EWU McNair Scholars Present their STEM Research and Experiences

02/02/2021

Despite COVID-19, EWU McNair Scholars have persisted through their virtual research internships during the summer of 2020 and now are presenting their research throughout the year. In addition to Ashley Destin and Rachael Pentico presenting at the Murdock College Science Research Conference in the Fall of 2020, three McNair Scholars have presented within their departments … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Completes Second Summer of Research

11/06/2020

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy for completing her second EWU McNair Summer Research Internship! Darlene’s EWU McNair research has focused on the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat. Darlene has presented on this project at the 2019 Murdock College Science Research Conference in Tacoma WA, the 2020 WE-STEM conference … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Awarded Research Grant

10/23/2020

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene has been awarded the Fall 2020 Alumni-Funded Undergraduate research grant! Darlene’s EWU McNair research has focused on the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat. This research grant will allow her to purchase supplies needed to continue her research. She presented on this project … Read more

Nine EWU McNair Scholars Present at Baylor McNair Research Conference

10/09/2020

From looking at community perceptions of reentry barriers to formerly incarcerated people to the impact of chemical weathering from Mount St. Helen’s on streams, EWU McNair Scholars have been hard at work researching all summer under the guidance of their mentors. On October 1st and 2nd. Nine of these scholars presented at the 2020 Virtual … Read more

EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy Awarded Two Scholarships

08/10/2020

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene has been awarded the Penelope A. Jones Scholarship and the HOME Program Scholarship. Darlene’s EWU McNair research has focused on the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat. She has presented on this project at the 2019 Murdock College Science Research Conference in … Read more

18 EWU McNair Scholars Present at EWU Virtual Symposium

06/10/2020

EWU McNair is proud to announce that 18 EWU McNair Scholars presented at this year’s Virtual Symposium. In the midst of regular reminders of the suffering from COVID-19, in particular its disproportionate effect on communities of color, as well as recent police murders, we hope that lifting up our scholars will continue to support their … Read more

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

06/08/2020

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Darlene Gilroy! Darlene has been selected a second time for an EWU McNair Summer Research Internship. Darlene Gilroy studies Geology and is currently working on an independent research project investigating the chemical weathering of volcanic sediments. She presented on this project, with the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Nezat, at the … Read more