Eastern Student Joel Hara of Hebron Presents Research Poster at CREATE Conference

2016 May 3

More than 250 talented students at Eastern Connecticut State University presented research and creative work at the university's second annual CREATE conference this past April. CREATE stands for Celebrating Research Excellence and Artistic Talent at Eastern, and is the university's premier, academic year-end showcase. At the culminating event, students of all majors presented professional posters, live music, dance performances, artwork, photography, documentaries and panel discussions.

Joel Hara '16 of Hebron, who majors in Environmental Earth Science, presented a research poster at the event. Hara delivered two presentations. The first was titled "The Consequence of U."

"Uranium has been a topic of discussion in the quiet town of Lebanon, CT," said Hara. "The source of uranium is known but the reason why it is in the groundwater at unsafe levels is not. Using water test data collected by the Town of Lebanon and students at Eastern Connecticut State University this study aims to find out the conditions necessary for uranium to occur at high levels. Water quality test results for uranium and other properties of the water that may occur in concurrence with the uranium will be applied to past and present conditions to see if things have changed and the likelihood of where this may occur in the town of Lebanon. It will also pinpoint where uranium levels are currently in excess and the data associated with those locations to give validation for indicators of high uranium levels. This will be used to notify individuals who may be at risk to get their water tested more frequently or consider a filtration device."

Hara's second presentation, co-presented alongside classmate Sydney Day, was titled "Hard Rock Vs. Heavy Metal." "Manganese is an abundant, naturally occurring metal found in soils and rocks across Connecticut," said the students in a joint statement. "Given the abundance, manganese is often found in groundwater. Concentrations may increase in the groundwater due to unnatural causes which include activities associated with municipal wastewater, pesticides, or mining. Although manganese is essential for all animals, prolonged exposure to concentrations exceeding 0.05 mg/L in drinking water may lead to health complications and, additionally, may cause accelerated deterioration of pipes, hot water heaters, and home heating systems. More than 1,800 water quality reports from domestic wells from 1970 to present were used to conduct a spatial and temporal analysis of manganese concentrations for Lebanon, Connecticut. Manganese concentrations were analyzed with respect to rock type, additional groundwater parameters, and groundwater flow conditions. Rock types were grouped into three lithogeochemical units and manganese concentrations were analyzed per unit per decade. Drinking water wells that exceeded the EPA drinking water standard for manganese concentrations most often occur in felsicigneous and plutonic rocks; however, average decadal manganese concentrations show that metamorphosed sedimentary rock had significantly higher concentrations. The variability in the temporal distribution of manganese suggests anthropogenic sources have altered the groundwater quality conditions."

Remarking on the variety of presentations, Professor Dickson Cunningham, conference co-chair, said, "CREATE encapsulates the essence of the liberal arts in one afternoon. It is an intellectual smorgasbord."

Speaking to the value of CREATE, Eastern President Elsa Nunez said, "It takes a very strong and dedicated student to produce this quality of work, and it's important for other students to see this output." Praising the faculty, she added, "It takes a committed and skillful mentor to guide students to the work that is on display. Mentorship is such an integral part of undergraduate research."

During the one-day conference, the Student Center crawled with artistic and scholarly activity. Students in professional attire addressed their peers, faculty and family. In the cafe, ensembles performed; in the theatre, student-produced documentaries were shown; in the Betty R. Tipton Room, aisles of posters depicting scientific research were displayed; across the hall, a gallery-worth of paintings lined the walls; and on the ground floor, panel discussions and oral presentations about the humanities took place.

In celebration of students' exemplary research, experiential learning and creative activity, CREATE serves to reinforce high-impact practices such as mentored research; increases the number of students presenting their work in a professional forum; raises public awareness of Eastern's liberal arts mission and student accomplishments; and contributes to the intellectual richness of the campus community.