While at Pitt I conducted a semester long independent study research for Dr. William Harbert on income, obesity, and food deserts, while examining if farmer’s markets help ameliorate food deserts. I did my research using ArcMap, a GIS computer program. The goal of this research was to study the income disparities in Pittsburgh and if there are any correlations to food deserts and obesity. I examined Pittsburgh’s history with the hope to breakdown income disparities in neighborhoods, and then create ArcMap analyses of the collected data to find correlations.
Additionally, I did a field course research study an hour outside of Laramie, Wyoming in 2016. I utilized field techniques in ecological, geological, paleontological, and anthropological practices, constructed research projects and conducted field work such as research on the botany of temperate ecosystems, keystone species, and geological formations, and presented my experimental designs. Doing this field course was one of the greatest experience of my life. I spent six weeks camping in the prairie and learning about entirely new ecosystems and cultural identities.