written by Dr. Chris Pennuto
The Great Lakes Environmental Science graduate program turned 10 years old in 2023. Since our inception, we have had 43 graduate students in the program in either the thesis or internship tracks. This column is an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of one of those students, past or present.
Lindsay Piotrowski is a current graduate student in her final semester of work in the GLES internship track. She joined the GLES program in fall 2022 after completing an undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences at Buffalo State in spring 2022. Lindsay has been very active landing a range of internships experiences over her time with Buffalo State. She interned with Niagara County Refuse Disposal District analyzing water quality data from landfill sites. Lindsay spent a summer as an invasive species survey technician with WNY PRISM conducting invasive species surveys, assisting with priority invasive species removal activities, and assisting with education and outreach tabling events at the Reinstein Woods Fall Festival and the Orleans County Fair. Her current internship is focused on assessing occurrence of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in Erie County parks, and creating an assessment protocol to direct management efforts.
Lindsay represents our regional community: she was born in North Tonawanda and a is member of the Seneca Nation (Bear Clan). She hopes to remain in the state, with a career aspiration of landing a position with NY DEC or one of our local federal agencies (USFWS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USGS). Reflecting on some of her courses from her time with GLES, Lindsay noted that the project management requirements (PSM 601/602) provided “real-world applications. They taught me interview skills and communication in the professional setting.” We wish her luck as she prepares for the next stage in her professional journey.
Image caption: Lindsay Piotrowski
