Field Inclusive, Inc.

Experience Reflection: Samantha Davies

“This season, I was fortunate to have two outstanding undergraduate students join me, supported in part through Field Inclusive funding. Their contributions not only made the research possible but also enriched it by bringing new perspectives and ideas. Importantly, being able to compensate them ensured they could participate without facing socioeconomic inequities often tied to undergraduate research — such as having to choose between working unrelated jobs for financial stability or volunteering without pay to gain relevant experience.”

BY SAMANTHA DAVIES

I am a second-year PhD student in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. I work in Dr. Jacqueline Gerson’s Watershed Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene Lab, where I study mercury cycling in freshwater ecosystems. For my dissertation, I am investigating how greenhouse gas emissions and mercury cycling are linked in freshwater systems across New York State.

I was drawn to this research because it sits at the intersection of climate change, ecosystem health, and environmental justice. Mercury contamination and greenhouse gas emissions are global challenges, but their effects are felt locally — in the water we drink, the food webs that sustain communities, and the air that connects us all. I hope to generate knowledge that protects both people and ecosystems.

Fieldwork is central to understanding the biogeochemistry of freshwater systems. Laboratory experiments in jars have long suggested connections between mercury and greenhouse gas cycling, but only a handful of studies have measured these processes together in natural environments. Collecting sediments, filtering overlying water, and analyzing a variety of other chemical constituents in lakes and ponds provide insights that cannot be captured through lab experiments alone. Because biogeochemical cycles are inherently more complex in natural ecosystems, it is critical to study them in the field, where their consequences are most tangible.

Fieldwork for this project has been both exhausting and deeply rewarding. Sampling often required long drives, carrying heavy gear, and adapting to whatever conditions the day brought — from calm sunshine to sudden storms. Yet these challenges also allowed for some of the most memorable moments of my research. On one of the not-so-calm days over the summer, my undergraduate assistant and I found ourselves in a one-person inflatable kayak together on a large reservoir as rain began pouring from the sky! On another occasion, we had to clear a fallen tree blocking the path to a pond. We got some experience communicating our science on the shores of lakes we were sampling, too. People at public access points where we sample were not always thrilled about what we were doing, so talking to them was challenging. Encounters with members of the public at boat launches and lakesides added another layer of complexity. Some people expressed skepticism — such as a fisherman who dismissed the risks of harmful algal blooms — but others were supportive, sharing some of their personal knowledge of the lakes. These moments underscored both the challenges and opportunities of engaging with the public about the science that affects their daily lives.

This season, I was fortunate to have two outstanding undergraduate students join me, supported in part through Field Inclusive funding. Their contributions not only made the research possible but also enriched it by bringing new perspectives and ideas. Importantly, being able to compensate them ensured they could participate without facing socioeconomic inequities often tied to undergraduate research — such as having to choose between working unrelated jobs for financial stability or volunteering without pay to gain relevant experience.

Looking ahead, I envision a career that weaves together discovery, equitable inclusion of young scientists, and public engagement. I want my science to advance understanding while also highlighting inequities and working toward solutions. Science is stronger when it welcomes diverse perspectives, and I am committed to helping build those spaces. By studying mercury and greenhouse gases in freshwater systems, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of our changing world and to ensure that scientific knowledge serves both ecosystems and the people connected to them. What I study in the future will evolve with both the scientific questions I uncover and the gaps I continue to see in equity and representation.