The CGTC Student Research Experience
In the Spring 2022 semester, CGTC hired Joleen, an undergraduate student researcher, to help us with a shoreline characterization research project. Read the interview below to hear more about what she thought of the entire research experience.
Tell us a bit about yourself… What is your major and year at UVI? What career/academic path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?
My name is Joleen Buchanan. When it comes to describing myself, artistic, optimistic, and passionate are some of the words that come to mind. I love nature and landscape photography as well as playing volleyball. I am a currently a sophomore business student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology and a minor in Data Science at the University of the Virgin Islands. This is however my first year at UVI as I am a transfer student from St. Kitts.
Frankly, I am still unsure of what exactly my career path will be after graduation. However, I do expect it to be in the field of mapping and surveying. My father is a certified professional land surveyor and architect, so as a child I spent quite a lot of time accompanying him at work and assisting him during my school breaks. It is my hope at the end of my studies to use my newly acquired skills to help further develop his business using drone mapping technologies.
Joleen Buchan - UVI Student studying Information Systems and Technology with a minor in Data Science.
What was your favorite thing about this research experience?
I am very grateful to be have given the opportunity to be a part of this project. Every part of this experience is extremely valuable to me, as a get to learn and develop new skills in utilizing software such as ArcGIS and Google Earth. But I must say I really enjoy going out into the field and collecting data. Whether it is going down to the beach to collect sand samples or to the lab any part of this research project which requires hands on field work I love.
Can you describe your typical workday?
My typical workday involves coming into to the office down at VI-EPSCoR/CGTC for 9:00Am. Once I arrive I check in with my Professor, Dr. Guannel where he tells me my required task for the day and I get to work. Usually there are random check-ins during the day to see how I’m coming along or if I need assistance and then I leave at 3:00pm after updating Dr. Guannel on what was accomplished for the day. The office environment, is quite and friendly which is ideal for me.
What made you interested in coastal shoreline characterization? Why is this research important to the US Virgin Islands?
I’m not sure what “made” me interested, but I do know my interest was piqued during high school when I was given a project for my geography class to compare the coastal erosion for two beaches one facing the Atlantic Ocean and one facing the Caribbean Sea. I found it fascinating how the two different bodies of water changed the structure of the coastline and then later continued to pursue this interest by working with a research outreach community in St. Kitts which did a project focused on how the wave activity changed the shoreline over the years. So, when I heard about a similar project being carried out at UVI I was happy to join the research team.
Why is this research important to the USVI?
Well, our environment is changing and our coastline is being severely impacted. Shoreline classification helps us to understand these changes and measure how much of the coast is lost or gained. Like many other Caribbean territories, the beaches are important resources to the Virgin Islands especially when it comes to tourism. Shoreline classification can then be used to help preserve our beaches and shorelines. By being aware of the changes in our shorelines, the necessary steps and precautions can be put in place to maintain them.
How will this research experience benefit your academic and future career?
It is my hope that along with the newly acquired skills and experience, that doing this research project will help me to find the career path of my choosing.