Listening and speaking with guest speakers to learn more about their professional fields, experiences, and advices.

I take notes at every board member meeting. Afterwards, I will send the meeting notes to the Advisors and other board members through email. I also upload it to a section on the Microsoft Team of Phi Theta Kappa (chapter at RCC) where everyone can view it. The notes help keep members on track and involved, whether they are able to attend the meetings or not.

I did research with two team members under Dr. Jillian Decker about algal bloom in the Wallkill River of Hudson Valley, NY. We prepared slides to look at the river's samples of algae under microscopes. We also prepared Sedgwick Rafters to count and identified algae. Our group looked at how harmful algal blooms affected the water quality, and the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, we discussed some health hazards that affect people in areas where bodies of water have harmful algal blooms, especially since some algae have neurotoxins. In our scientific paper and poster, we discussed different types of algae, the conditions that allow for their optimal growth, and the comparison and analysis with past findings of the Wallkill River regarding harmful algal blooms. Although there were no signs of hazardous blooms in the recent years that we observed, we advised that close monitoring of the Wallkill River and its surrounding environments should be continued.