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Lan Tran '10 from Chesapeake, Va., is awarded a 12-week paid internship in New Jersey with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By Heather Templeton '10

This summer, junior Lan Tran from Chesapeake, Va., takes her love and passion for environmental protection and research from the classroom to the outdoors.

A recipient of a prestigious fellowship from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tran was guaranteed a paid internship at one of the EPA's laboratories, regional offices, or headquarters programs in the U.S. Beginning May 18, she is spending 12 weeks in Edison, N.J., studying "The Evaluation of Aquatic Communities to Assess Biological Conditions in Rivers, Streams and Lakes."

"I love learning, being outdoors and working hard," said Tran, who was awarded a total of $41,500 through the Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowship. "I am both honored and excited to receive this fellowship."

For her internship, Tran is spending the majority of her time on a boat, examining plant and fish life. Other research duties include lab and office work.

"Internships with the EPA are helping students become more aware," said Tran. "This experience will help me become more open to learn about environmental policy and be exposed to both research in the lab and hands-on in the field."

One of 11 students in the program, Tran had the option of choosing from 37 EPA sites in the country. New Jersey was one of her top three picks. 

"I feel very fortunate that I was able to pick an internship site that best fits me and my academic interests," she said.    

The environment has been a topic of interest for Tran, and is one that she has been able to explore during her time at Virginia Wesleyan.

This spring she participated in Wesleyan's alternative Spring Break Program, called IMAGINE. Tran and other students harvested oysters in Sarah's Creek in Gloucester, Va., and then planted the mollusks into artificial reefs in the Lynnhaven River.

In the summer of 2007, Tran was one of six Virginia Wesleyan students who traveled to Vietnam to conduct research for a month through an ASIANetwork Freeman Student-Faculty Award. Tran, who is originally from Vietnam, focused her research on how the Vietnamese are addressing the problem of persistent organic pollutants in the environment, specifically the problem of dioxin contamination and the effects of dioxin poisoning on the health of urban versus rural populations. Tran emphasized her research on food consumption and how much the Vietnamese know of dioxin contamination, which still remains in the air, soil and water in Vietnam and bioaccumulates through the food chain.  She also served as location translator for the trip. 

Outside of research, Tran is an active member of several organizations and clubs including S.EA.L (The Student Environmental Awareness League), the Organic Garden Club and Science Club.  She is also a member of Virginia Wesleyan's cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field teams.

Tran is the second Virginia Wesleyan student to receive a GRO Undergraduate Fellowship from the EPA. Ivy Ozmon '07 from Norfolk, Va., was the first in 2005.

05.20.09