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Developing a Scientific Mindset
Research was a vital part of Mayanni McCourty's undergraduate experience at VWU
University News | July 25, 2019
When Mayanni McCourty ’19 graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in May it was with numerous experiences as a researcher. As an Earth and Environmental Science major, McCourty’s journey in research began during an internship with during her very first year at VWU. Her research, which was later published in the Journal of Soil Use and Management in 2018, examined the influence of agricultural manipulation on decomposition and soil respiration.
“As a freshman, I thought that I didn’t have enough experience to conduct independent research and participate in internships,” noted McCourty. “But I learned that it is best to start early and gain as much experience as you can early in your undergraduate career.”
Professor of Marine Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research Soraya Bartol reported that last year 148 students in 24 academic programs participated in undergraduate research. She noted that this translates to about 45% of VWU's graduating class completing an independent undergraduate research project.
“Many of these students, like Mayanni, receive VWU research grants to help fund their projects, as well as, conference grants so that they can present their research off campus at regional, national and international conferences,” explained Bartol.
McCourty, who was first drawn to VWU because of small class sizes and the close knit community, said that she was fortunate to work and study along side professors who served as mentors to her throughout her research adventures. She credits Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, with providing immeasurable help and guidance to her during her years at VWU.
"Dr. Malcolm made a HUGE difference for me during my time at Virginia Wesleyan. She saw great potential in me when I first arrived as a freshman. We share similar interests in atmospheric science which allowed me to learn more about the subject and navigate through career options and opportunities. She has provided me with several research and internship opportunities as well as advice on moving forward after graduation."
Malcolm notes that for students like McCourty, undertaking research is vitally important during their academic career.
"Over her four years at Virginia Wesleyan, Mayanni has grown tremendously as a student and scholar," noted Malcolm. "Her early experiences in undergraduate research gave her an understanding of how scientific discoveries are made, giving her a new appreciation for course material.”
McCourty’s initial experience was followed by a research-based internship at Old Dominion University that was funded by the . This opportunity enabled her to investigate how the Pacific Ocean evolved across abrupt warming events using foraminifera (single-celled planktonic animals with perforated chalky shells) as a proxy.
Then during her junior year, McCourty conducted her own independent research at Virginia Wesleyan. She analyzed the chemical composition and size distribution of aerosols from a local coal terminal using VWU’s Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy.
McCourty reflected that each of her research experiences was instrumental in helping her to develop the “scientific mindset, skills, and knowledge” that she will employ as a research scientist.
“My internships were completely different from each other,” she explained. “One consisted of fieldwork and the other was primarily in a lab environment. This allowed me to determine the type of research, career path, and work environment that interests me most. My ultimate career goal will have to involve helping and educating communities about the air they breathe."
McCourty has plans to attend graduate school to further her knowledge in the fields of environmental health or atmospheric science with a focus on air quality and human health.
Virginia Wesleyan’s Undergraduate Research Program (URP) promotes independent student research by embracing a developmental approach that moves students from general research to advanced research with a faculty mentor in a specific discipline to prepare for graduate school or careers. URP experiences cultivate the ability to think critically, advance original ideas, and develop innovative solutions to complex problems. For more information about undergraduate research at 91风月楼, visit The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration & Discovery.