Lisa Romas ’08 has used opportunities at St. Lawrence to conduct research in the North Country, Alaska and the Bahamas. Her research started with a University Fellowship; she did a literature search on campus during the summer in preparation for a trip to Alaska. “It was amazing because I was able to determine my own schedule and had time to really enjoy and admire the beauty of the campus and the nearby Adirondacks,” the environmental studies-biology major and Spanish minor said.

During her trip to Alaska, which was funded by a St. Lawrence research grant, Lisa traveled to the Norton Sound region of Arctic Alaska (including St. Lawrence Island!), where she worked with geology professors Cathy Shrady and Jeff Chiarenzelli ’81, biology professor Jon Rosales, other professionals, and the non-profit organization Alaska Community Action on Toxics.

“I collected GPS data and environmental samples to help local Yupik and Inuit communities determine whether or not contamination that had been left by the U.S. military several decades ago had been adequately cleaned up. It was truly an eye-opening and fulfilling experience to work on this environmental justice issue,” she said.

Exchanging one climate for another, Lisa next traveled to San Salvador Island, Bahamas, to conduct field research in marine ecology with biology professor Brad Baldwin and her marine ecology classmates.  “Both research traveling experiences allowed me to challenge myself intellectually, physically, psychologically and culturally,” Lisa said. “By conducting research with peers and professors, I was able to learn way more about the world than I ever could have in the classroom.”

Her senior research project in biology looks at mercury bioaccumulation in stream habitats in the Tug Hill region of New York State. She said it’s been great to work with and learn from her advisor, Prof. Baldwin, who has come to feel like more of a colleague through the entire process.

“The independent senior research project has given me confidence that I can successfully complete a graduate thesis when I leave St. Lawrence,” Lisa said. She is applying to several graduate programs for a MS in environmental science or aquatic ecology. A resident of Fayetteville, N.Y., she is a graduate of Bishop Grimes High School.