Ava Sharpe ’25
Major: Geology
Five College Certificate in Coastal and Marine Sciences

How Texas Gulf Coast Sediments Can Prepare Us for the Future

Sediment can tell us a lot about our planet’s history, as well as how to prepare for our future. My Lynk research opportunity made it possible for me to learn about how geologists analyze sediments to produce records of past storm events. I was mentored by a professor of micropaleontology at the University of Texas, in my hometown of Austin, and was able to work in different academic research settings that expanded my understanding of careers in geology. I was introduced to the study of micropaleontology and trained to sample and identify marine microfossils, including living delicate specimens as well as ones that had been preserved in the sediment record. Over the summer, I became more confident in my ability to apply what I have learned at Mount Holyoke to other projects, and developed an appreciation and passion for science communication and making science accessible to everyone.

Charlotte Smith ’24
Major: Art History
Minor: Geography
Nexus: in Museums, Archives, and Public History

Digitizing Museum Collections: Cataloging the Past and Expanding Information Access

This summer I was the Museum Collections Assistant at the Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, a historic house museum and garden located in Connecticut. As the Museum Collections Assistant, I initiated a large-scale, ongoing project: digitizing the Museum’s collection files. I learned an analog nomenclature cataloging system (c.1980), and digitized 150+ handwritten object files in preparation for the transition to a digital collections management system. By being at the forefront of this ongoing project, I experienced the thrills and challenges of bridging analog and digital practices, and was able to to enjoy the journey of making a museum’s collection more accessible to the public. I also participated in the Museum Makeover Project which was designed to increase visitation and enhance visitor opportunities and engagement. My summer internship provided me with valuable hands-on professional experience. I can now move forward with great insight into the science of information management as well as the sharing of knowledge across generations.

Devin Keith ’25
Major: Environmental Studies and Film, Media, and Theater double major

Working and Living Abroad I was given the opportunity to work at the University in Göttingen, Germany over the summer with the help of the DAAD program. My job was to assist in an ongoing project called BioC, a group focused on studying the effects that invasive bug species have on forests all across Germany. This program took me all throughout the country (and almost into Poland by accident), where I partook in collecting soil, atmosphere, and O2 samples to take back to the lab. I was hands-on the whole time: from collection, to prep, to filtering and analyzing, I did it all. While there, not only did I gain skills that would help me in my future career, but I also gained skills in diplomacy and navigating a world I was unfamiliar with. This summer has helped push me to thrive and it has me excited about the future.

Tara Castellano ’24
Major: Art History

Working Importantly, Independently: Bridging Connections Between the Arts and Sciences

Mount Holyoke’s Clapp building leaves anything but a shortage of creative inspiration. Hidden in the hallways we are greeted by old artifacts such as bones, shells, rocks, and the ever-haunting “wet specimens”. Amongst all of these amazing objects, it seemed as though our incredible herbarium collection magically appeared. With some herbariums dating as far back as the mid-19th century, one in particular caught my eye. I was lucky enough to recreate this herbarium in a small book unearthing and preserving its special qualities. My internship provided an opportunity to understand the connections between art and science as it re-lit a fire in my past I forgot I once cared about so deeply. Not only does our herbarium collection unlock a door to Mount Holyoke’s historic timeline, but it also shows us the art of nature, the art of collecting, and the art of science.