Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Christopher Adkison
Spring 2018 Archer Fellow
Internship: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
B.A. Environmental Science; May 2018
Texas A&M University
M.A. Ecosystem Science and Management, beginning fall 2018
Career
Savannah River National Laboratory
Spring 2018 Archer Fellow
Internship: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
B.A. Environmental Science; May 2018
Texas A&M University
M.A. Ecosystem Science and Management, beginning fall 2018
Career
Savannah River National Laboratory
“Choosing to enter the Archer Fellowship Program as a scientist has only further aided me in refining my career goals, as I am now more knowledgeable of the regulatory process and "how things work" in D.C."
Q & A with Christopher
Please tell us more about your current position.
I work in the Environmental Modeling Group at the Department of Energy Savannah River National Laboratory. Currently, I am assisting with the decommissioning and deactivation (D&D) of a former weapons grade plutonium processing facility and am modeling radionuclide fate and transport in soil and groundwater from this facility. The goal is to ensure safe drinking water standards and environmental health during and after D&D of this facility, so I am running various simulations to ensure that there is no risk to humans or the environment from hazardous waste in this facility. The outcomes of my models will help guide exactly how this facility is closed and how it is managed in the future.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
During my internship (with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center or SERC) I conducted original research pertaining to methane biogeochemistry in salt marsh ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. I analyzed differences in methane fluxes between C3 and C4 grasses of the Chesapeake Bay using various analytical techniques such as cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and ion chromatography. I collected soil, water, and gas samples in the field, analyzed them in a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory, computed statistics and presented my research at a conference at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. I also learned a bit about programming data loggers and micro-controllers, as well as manufacturing of field equipment (SERC builds all their own field gear). Overall, I enhanced my metals shop skills, programming skills, field and analytical techniques, statistical expertise and presentation abilities through my internship with SERC.
What has been your general career path?
Generally, I have been focusing my broad interest in environmental science toward a career dealing with water quality, water quantity, environmental remediation and water resource management. To do so requires an extensive knowledge of hydrology and geochemistry, along with the communication skills needed to work with governing agencies and political figureheads. Choosing to enter the Archer Fellowship Program as a scientist has only further aided me in refining my career goals, as I am now more knowledgeable of the regulatory process and "how things work" in D.C.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As a scientist in the Archer Fellowship Program it was difficult at first to acclimate to all the political science and government jargon used frequently between other Archer Fellows. However, with some work and many late-night discussions I was able to gain a greater knowledge of our country's political process, how people are influenced in D.C., and experience what living in the nation’s capital was like. I had the chance to meet a few very influential people, as well as many great scientists, engineers, and lobbyists in D.C. I now feel more prepared to tackle a career that has a regulatory aspect to it than I did before becoming an Archer Fellow.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The most valuable experiences of my Archer Fellowship came from the discussions held at various museums, monuments, and memorials in D.C. during Dr. Swerdlow's classes. Whether it be a heated debate, history lesson, or group activity, Dr. Swerdlow certainly encouraged a healthy environment for growth and camaraderie between fellows. By the end of my fellowship I felt very at home in D.C., and I felt like I had experienced more than anything Texas had to offer on its own.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
My fellow fellows of course! I was exposed to students from across the state who have an incredible range of interests, backgrounds, knowledge, and experience. Living, learning, and working with all of the Archer Fellows and now being an alumnus is/was a great experience and one I will not soon forget. I highly value all the fellows from my cohort, and I'm excited for us all to make positive changes to the world now and in the future along with all the Archer Fellows who came before us.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My fellowship was full of great memories, it's difficult to choose any single one that was my favorite! I loved hanging out in the apartments with Archer Fellows, trying new food around D.C., going for a stroll down the National Mall; I tried to take every chance I could to have an adventure. However, if I have to choose, my favorite memory was one of the snow days we had when most agencies were closed and a bunch of Archer Fellows went to the Capitol and National Mall to build snowmen. D.C. is amazing to see blanketed in snow, and when there's a snow day in D.C., everyone goes out to enjoy it!
Please tell us more about your current position.
I work in the Environmental Modeling Group at the Department of Energy Savannah River National Laboratory. Currently, I am assisting with the decommissioning and deactivation (D&D) of a former weapons grade plutonium processing facility and am modeling radionuclide fate and transport in soil and groundwater from this facility. The goal is to ensure safe drinking water standards and environmental health during and after D&D of this facility, so I am running various simulations to ensure that there is no risk to humans or the environment from hazardous waste in this facility. The outcomes of my models will help guide exactly how this facility is closed and how it is managed in the future.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
During my internship (with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center or SERC) I conducted original research pertaining to methane biogeochemistry in salt marsh ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay. I analyzed differences in methane fluxes between C3 and C4 grasses of the Chesapeake Bay using various analytical techniques such as cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and ion chromatography. I collected soil, water, and gas samples in the field, analyzed them in a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory, computed statistics and presented my research at a conference at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. I also learned a bit about programming data loggers and micro-controllers, as well as manufacturing of field equipment (SERC builds all their own field gear). Overall, I enhanced my metals shop skills, programming skills, field and analytical techniques, statistical expertise and presentation abilities through my internship with SERC.
What has been your general career path?
Generally, I have been focusing my broad interest in environmental science toward a career dealing with water quality, water quantity, environmental remediation and water resource management. To do so requires an extensive knowledge of hydrology and geochemistry, along with the communication skills needed to work with governing agencies and political figureheads. Choosing to enter the Archer Fellowship Program as a scientist has only further aided me in refining my career goals, as I am now more knowledgeable of the regulatory process and "how things work" in D.C.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As a scientist in the Archer Fellowship Program it was difficult at first to acclimate to all the political science and government jargon used frequently between other Archer Fellows. However, with some work and many late-night discussions I was able to gain a greater knowledge of our country's political process, how people are influenced in D.C., and experience what living in the nation’s capital was like. I had the chance to meet a few very influential people, as well as many great scientists, engineers, and lobbyists in D.C. I now feel more prepared to tackle a career that has a regulatory aspect to it than I did before becoming an Archer Fellow.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The most valuable experiences of my Archer Fellowship came from the discussions held at various museums, monuments, and memorials in D.C. during Dr. Swerdlow's classes. Whether it be a heated debate, history lesson, or group activity, Dr. Swerdlow certainly encouraged a healthy environment for growth and camaraderie between fellows. By the end of my fellowship I felt very at home in D.C., and I felt like I had experienced more than anything Texas had to offer on its own.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
My fellow fellows of course! I was exposed to students from across the state who have an incredible range of interests, backgrounds, knowledge, and experience. Living, learning, and working with all of the Archer Fellows and now being an alumnus is/was a great experience and one I will not soon forget. I highly value all the fellows from my cohort, and I'm excited for us all to make positive changes to the world now and in the future along with all the Archer Fellows who came before us.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My fellowship was full of great memories, it's difficult to choose any single one that was my favorite! I loved hanging out in the apartments with Archer Fellows, trying new food around D.C., going for a stroll down the National Mall; I tried to take every chance I could to have an adventure. However, if I have to choose, my favorite memory was one of the snow days we had when most agencies were closed and a bunch of Archer Fellows went to the Capitol and National Mall to build snowmen. D.C. is amazing to see blanketed in snow, and when there's a snow day in D.C., everyone goes out to enjoy it!
