Lina Rodriguez is a rising senior on the Wesleyan women's soccer team. An attacking midfielder, Rodriguez played in 14 games during the 2021 campaign, scoring three goals for the Cardinals who made a Final Four run in what was their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Hear from Rodriguez, who is a double major in biology and earth and environmental sciences, on the research she is conducting this summer at the University of Washington:
This summer, I am participating in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Washington, specifically at the affiliated Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Sciences (CICOES). I will be working with Washington State Climatologists Nick Bond and Karin Bumbaco on a descriptive analysis project of soil moisture and drought in Washington.
The state of Washington has been experiencing abnormally dry conditions in the past few years, leading to an increase in drought research. Monitoring the moisture content in soil has gained recognition as a crucial indicator of drought conditions on a regional scale. However, this data is difficult to collect on a wide scale and varies by method of collection, time scale, soil depth, and overall accuracy. The purpose of the project is to analyze the variety of gridded soil moisture data obtained from numerous research stations and institutions (including NOAA and NASA) in Washington and to compare the elements, accuracy, and extent of the data.
My analyses and conclusions will then be used to create a written report recommending how to apply the various data sources in policy-making decisions, agricultural practices, drought conditions and predictions, and future research. As a native of Southern California, where drought is consistent, I appreciate the significance of this project. Throughout the process, I will be able to sharpen the lab, fieldwork, and computer skills that I've developed at Wesleyan, while also pursuing my passion for climate science. I hope to expand on this project for my senior thesis!
My fellow interns at CICOES are also conducting marine, climate, and environmental-based research with their mentors, and we are looking forward to sharing our final presentations with the CICOES community. In addition to our scientific pursuits, there are ample opportunities to engage in outreach events and explore Seattle and the three neighboring national parks.
