All environmental studies and science majors are required to take this class, but the goal of the course was for each student to create a research proposal addressing a local environmental issue. I proposed to focus on a chemistry and toxicology related issue I thought was specifically relevant to Ithaca, NY. By reading the news I gained the sense that amphetamine abuse, through prescriptions given for ADHD/ADD, is rampant on college campuses, and it so happens that Ithaca is home to 30,000 students during the academic year. I originally was interested in the potential toxicological effects these amphetamines may have on aquatic ecology in Cayuga Lake, as previous studies have shown that these compounds do not break down in the waste-water treatment process. Yet, this study cannot be conducted until it is know at what concentrations amphetamines may be present in the lake, as well as the incoming influent from the city of Ithaca. ​

      I proposed to determine the concentrations of amphetamine in the waste-water influent and effluent of the Ithaca Area Waste-Water Treatment Plant using a method that relies on a mass spectrometer coupled in tandem with a gas chromatograph. I have used both of these instruments in my experimental chemistry courses, so it was great to be able to connect these courses to my environmental research methods research proposal. At the end the course we each presented our research proposals, which was great practice for presenting a proposal to a group of people. If you cannot effectively communicate the research you would like to enact, you can never get funding! I found I have quite the knack for presenting my ideas clearly and effectively, and a link is provided below for anyone who would like to see an example of my ability to effectively write research/grant proposals.