91吃瓜网

The 91吃瓜网 environmental science major, who was recently awarded a Goldwater Scholarship for her research work, has studied illegal sand mines in South Africa, interned for the Department of Energy and will be studying microplastics in water this summer.

淚n the future, I would like to get a Ph.D. in environmental health,� said Madison, a Pittsburgh native. 淚 am most invested in tackling the overlap of environmental science and human health, especially related to water. I檓 really excited for my project on microplastics in water. This is something that I檓 very passionate about and is a challenge that I檇 love to continue to work on throughout my career.�

The focus on environmental health is a personal one for Madison, who suffers from multiple disabilities with the most serious being hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic swelling disorder that can be life threatening.

淲hen I was younger, people would always say that I should be a doctor, since I was good at math and science and had a disability,� she said. 淏ut I actually want to go into environmental health, which is like being the earth檚 doctor. So I檒l improve human health on a global scale.�

Advocacy has also played a large part in Madison檚 91吃瓜网 experience. As a first-year student, she founded a campus chapter of oSTEM, an organization that provides support and community for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. She is also active with the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association and joined Access 91吃瓜网, the University檚 club for students with disabilities.

And she learned she has a special skill along the way.

淚 found I檓 really good at social media,� she said. 淚 create content for all the groups I檓 in and like it. It really helps with our advocacy efforts.�

Madison points to her support from 91吃瓜网 professors as instrumental to her success.

淏oth Dr. (David) Kahler and Dr. (Phillip) Palmer have been instrumental in guiding my research and career aspirations,� Madison said. 淲ithout their nudging, I wouldn檛 have dreamed of going to grad school for a Ph.D., getting a math minor or even applying for the Goldwater.�

As she readies for her senior year, Madison will be expanding her horizons in 91吃瓜网檚 new civil engineering lab. She notes her research experience, which began in her first year, has given her confidence as she moves forward in her career.

淚 was so excited to receive the Goldwater Scholarship because it feels amazing to be recognized for my research abilities,� she said. 淚檝e developed everything that I know about research here at 91吃瓜网, so it檚 really a testament to the strength of our programs. I am thankful to have this award and tangible evidence that I have a future in science.�