Written by Alaina Elliott, Undergraduate Geoscience Major '27
When there is an open door, take the opportunity. That's exactly what I did this summer when I applied for a research position with the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, and it was one of the best decisions I could have made for my academic and professional development.
I assisted with the Paleocene Earth Perturbations U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain (PEP-US) Project in Cape Charles, Virginia, alongside researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The purpose of the research was to collect core samples from one of the most dramatic events in Earth's history: the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).
Approximately 56 million years ago, a sudden global warming event caused temperatures to rise by 5 to 8°C within a few thousand years due to a massive release of carbon. This project aims to study samples collected from the Atlantic Coastal Plain to reconstruct past climate conditions and improve our understanding of modern climate change. As an ongoing project, it was exciting to contribute to research that is still unfolding.
I entered this project with no prior experience in coring or field research. In fact, this was my first research opportunity with Rutgers and the department. Even though I had not yet taken Intro to Sed, the department encouraged me to join and learn on-site. The scientists, professors, and students from different universities created a collaborative environment rich with knowledge. Everyone was eager to answer questions, and the scientists on-site were especially generous with their time, explaining processes, sharing interesting facts, and discussing their own experiences. They patiently answered even the most basic questions, helping me build a stronger foundation in geology.
I was able to receive advice from experienced scientists, hear their career stories, and learn how they reached their current positions. Because of their mentorship and generosity, this experience was incredibly valuable. I felt that I was constantly learning in the field and expanding my understanding of both the geology profession and academic research.
The day-to-day activities included assisting with the core drilling process, where USGS drillers worked tirelessly in the Virginia heat to collect samples for the geologists on-site. Once the cores were recovered, we washed, described, packaged, photographed, and cataloged them for further laboratory analysis. The workday typically ran from 7:30 a.m. to around 5:00 p.m., and my responsibilities included packaging, labeling, photographing, and occasionally cleaning the collected samples.
My favorite memory from the trip was when we finally reached the Marlboro Clay, the target of the research. The day we expected to encounter the clay was tense, with everyone gathered around the drill, hoping the next core would contain the desired material. When the drillers finally reached it, the site erupted with excitement. Everyone jumped out of their chairs to examine the samples. The geologists described what they were seeing and discussed the clay's characteristics with one another, which was fascinating to witness.
Other highlights included discovering fossils within the cores, such as seashells, shark teeth, and root systems, all of which the geologists took the time to explain to me. I was even given the opportunity to help describe several samples under the guidance of scientists from the USGS and DEQ.
I am incredibly grateful to have been part of such an important and ongoing project. This experience strengthened my confidence in my future as a scientist and geologist, reinforcing my belief that this field is both welcoming and rewarding. It also showed me that geology is driven by passionate people who genuinely love what they do. I look forward to continuing my studies in Geoscience this fall and hope to keep gaining knowledge and experience throughout my time at Rutgers.