This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Civil engineering major Lindsey Brough ’08 (Durham, Maine) recently became the leader of the first project through a new, one-of-a-kind program called the “Student-Mentor Research Award Program.”
The program was launched in June by a research committee spearheaded by Charles Farley, director of Public Works, Dover Township, and Arthur Kney, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, at the annual Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) conference. Its purpose is to bring together a think tank of municipal officials, professional engineers, wastewater operators, and academics to work on a joint environmental research project.
“Programs such as this serve to broaden and strengthen partnerships within the community, while at the same time help to address real-world problems through hands-on interactions,” says Kney. “In this sort of research based problem solving scenario, it is not only municipalities hiring professionals to solve problems, but students, faculty, wastewater operators, as well at municipal officials, and professionals all joining together in a productive way to solve a current problem. The project at hand has to do with tracking nitrogen in biosolids; nitrogen is an important nutrient of concern throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. It is the hope of the PWEA research committee that projects like this will be the model for future cooperative projects.”
Dedicated partners for the program are Lafayette, Vermitech – an international corporation committed to the positive management of organic waste through large scale vermiculture, Nazareth Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (NMWTP), Nazareth Borough Municipal Authority, and PWEA Research Committee. Generous financial, as well as professional support from the partners provides the participating student with not only a fascinating research experience, but also valid interactions between academics, professionals, and public officials.
“It is the industries’ responsibility to help train and give real world experience to future generations of engineers and scientists,” says Jeff Budzich, technical manager at Vermitech.
Brough had been doing organizational work for Vermitech since the fall of 2006 when Kney put her in touch with the company. After already enjoying her work with them, she agreed to be a part of this first project of the “Student-Mentor Research Award Program.”
Brough’s project, “Monitoring the Nitrogen Cycle in Biosolids under Various Environmental Conditions,” is a demonstration project that involves tracking the nitrogen cycle in biosolids. It is a task that, according to Brough, researchers have never fully completed.
“My particular project was chosen because the nitrogen cycle plays an important role in biosolids’ value and quality for land application, compost, etc,” Brough says.
According to Brough, insufficient levels of nitrogen cause a reduction in crop yields while excess nitrogen leads to low crop yields as well as crop damage, disease, and a higher risk of nitrogen seeping into ground water. Though it is difficult, it is important to strike the balance between environmental and economic interests.
“This is why it is of interest to investigate how environmental factors influence the rates of nitrogen transformations in the biosolids,” she continues. “I am monitoring these rates of nitrogen transformations under seven different environmental conditions using different parameters: temperature, pH, conductivity, solids and moisture content, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) concentrations, and several anion concentrations.”
Brough is also running NMWTP’s biosolids, commonly known as sludge, through the vermicultural systems of Vermitech to hopefully help find better uses for biosolids.
“Lindsey’s data will help us decide how to move our biosolids program to a level of exceptional quality where we are making better products with better public appeal,” says Dean Minnich, NMWTP plant manager. “So, Lindsey’s data is not only valuable to us, but to other wastewater treatment plants as well.”
Brough will also be reporting her progress to the PWEA community through the organization’s quarterly journal publication, Keystone Water Quality Manager. Her regular publication will be titled “Lindsey’s Research Corner.’
The structure of the program, Brough says, is allowing her to make some priceless connections with professionals in her field of interest.
“The Student-Mentor Research Award Program is important for student research because not only do students get the benefit of being involved with a research project, but they are also meeting people who know the ins-and-outs of the field,” she explains. “The guidance and advice of these individuals is invaluable and their expertise and experience promotes a more successful and well-rounded research project.”
Minnich says he is a firm believer in college students getting their hands dirty in the field.
“Working with Lafayette is a good step toward giving students the ability to experience the outside world,” he says. “You can be book smart, but until you work with the actual product, you won’t really understand how all the pieces fit together.”
Brough also believes that every student should be involved in research.
“Research is one facet of the undergraduate learning experience that is not always emphasized, possibly because research is more appropriate for a graduate learning experience,” she states. “However, research allows you to explore, learn, and stumble over a project that is all yours, and to me, that is a very exciting and rewarding process.”
“Projects like this give students practical experience and vast exposure to the professional/working environment,” Budzich adds. “Everyone benefits from the student’s experience and growth – the research is more than just a sponsorship; it is a real and sustainable program.”
Brough is currently considering attending University of Vermont or University of Maine to obtain a masters in environmental engineering and says that working on this project has contributed significantly to her future plans.
“Prior to my research project, I was convinced that I would join the job market after Lafayette,” she explains. “This project, however, has shown me that there is a lot left to learn in my field.”
Along with her research, Brough is the President of the Society of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (SEES) and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).