National Energetics: A Personal Statement Of Purpose

During my childhood, I spent my free time outside. I noticed from an early age the differences in rocks and plant life in different ecosystems, i.e. the rocks were softer and smaller, and the plants grew higher and wilder near waterways. These observations presented my mind with a set of basic rules with which to identify nature’s framework. I had compendiums for all the natural wonders: rocks, plants, animals, and insects in Texas. I would study these books religiously, becoming intimately acquainted with my surroundings. Unfortunately, the marvel in me was quelled during my years as a teenager, but thankfully it was rekindled in college during my years as an undergraduate in physics.
While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I entrenched myself

However, I have realized my true desire is to take my current skills, further them through the study of the geosciences, take them outdoors, and then transfer them from something that is artificial to something more natural. I desire to go back to when I was a child and study my surroundings, what they consist of and how they evolve through time. Geology defines our natural world, and I seek to be a part of furthering that

The care of these vulnerable systems is important to our ecosystem as they occupy approximately ten percent of the Earth’s surface and an even larger percentage of the population’s groundwater. The work of Dr. Ashley Matheny and Dr. Marcus Gary align with my interests in the conservation of these systems. Dr. Matheny introduced the Planet Texas 2050 project to me and if she is awarded a part in this project, I would feel privileged to take part in the research involved to understand how urbanization in Texas cities affects the riparian water and carbon cycles. Dr. Gary’s work with karst hydrogeology on natural resource management is important to the conservation of our groundwater, which we will rely on for generations to come. It would benefit me to work for someone such as Dr. Gary with such an extensive background in hydrogeology. I also have an interest in Dr. Daniella Rempe’s work as it directly deals with the sustainability of groundwater. The Critical Zone Observatory Network in which Dr. Rempe is a part of is an exciting research project where many research fields get the opportunity to collaborate on the interplay between them and characterization of Earth’s near-surface layer. This would be a fascinating research project to be a part of. I have had the opportunity to meet with both Dr. Matheny and Dr. Rempe in person to discuss possible graduate research