Graduate student Yashira Rolón and undergraduate students Joshua Rivera and Sonia Rodriguez knew little about nuclear waste. All that changed this past June when the three students traveled to South Carolina to participate in the Environmental Stewardship Boot Camp.
The Environmental Stewardship Boot Camp is a one-week immersive research experience that exposes students to research capabilities and cutting-edge projects performed at DOE’s Savannah River National Laboratory. The boot camp is possible thanks to funds provided by the Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) under BSRA contract #SOW-A-02508, a grant awarded to Dr. Joselyn Del Pilar. The funded project aims to fabricate a multifunctional composite to remove per- and poly-fluorinated substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
The boot camp provided a diverse learning experience, covering topics ranging from nuclear waste management and virtual reality to adaptative manufacturing and nanomaterial discovery. Students had the opportunity to take SEM images of their samples, undergo virtual reality training, and even simulate the handling of nuclear waste using mechanical arms.
Students participating in the EM-MSIPP project are also exposed to the intricacies of scientific start-up companies. Zeovation, a start-up, and partner in the project, provides zeolite materials, consulting and training. “The unique alliance between academia, a national lab, and a start-up allows students to experience what working in different sectors feels like. We hope to open their eyes to a world of new opportunities and career paths through their participation in the project” said Dr. Del Pilar.
