1 August 2008
Kristin Adams
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Dear National Science Foundation,
I would like to express my most sincere gratitude for your on-going
support of undergraduate research experiences such as the one I participated
in, the Research Training Program (RTP) at the National Museum of Natural
History, as part of an Earthtime grant. This summer has truly been a
life-changing experience. Working on a research project at one of the
incredible Smithsonian-based museums is a dream come true. However,
I not only got to spend the summer meeting the top researchers of their
respective fields and touring the Museum collections, I was also able
to meet fellow peers interested in the same topics as I. Between the
people I have met and the experiences I have received, this has been
of the most fulfilling and unforgettable experiences of my life.
When I first found the application to this Program, I recognized it
as an experience of a lifetime. However, I would have never thought
I would have been chosen for such an incredible opportunity. Before
this summer, I had never been to Washington, DC, and I had never stepped
foot in a museum as grand as the National Museum of Natural History.
When I received the call informing me of my acceptance, I was both ecstatic
and fearful of what might be; however, I quickly learned there was nothing
to fear. Through the Program, my time was spent not only doing research,
but meeting new people, touring the collections, and attending different
discussions, lectures, and demonstrations. All of these activities combined
to create a summer of my wildest dreams. My research project utilized
Cretaceous-aged foraminifera from the Tanzania Drilling Project to determine
oceanic characteristics. Before I started my research project, I only
knew the basics of foraminifera but had no idea of how they could be
used. Through my work on the research project, I have been immersed
into a community filled with the leading foraminiferal researchers and
the possibilities of micropaleontology. I was able to learn how to differentiate
foraminifera species and how to determine oceanic characteristics, such
as water temperature and productivity, through the use of isotopic ratios.
In addition to all of the experiences supplied directly by the RTP
program, I was able to explore the city in which I lived for the summer.
I remember in years past trying to organize a trip to this historic
city, but had never found the right time to actually do it. Spending
my weekends walking the city, exploring the museums, and seeing the
sights, was another positive aspect of this programs I was able to experience;
yet another dream come true. I am extremely thankful that organizations
like the National Science Foundation value support for undergraduate
students like myself to participate in programs like the Research Training
Program at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Without
it, I would have never experienced all of what I did this summer. This
experience has been a significant influence in my life, and will serve
as a stepping stone for all of my future educational and research
Sincerely,
Kristin Adams
Research Training Program
Class of '08