URI student earns geology research scholarship

Caroline Amelse, a senior at the University of Rhode Island (URI), recently earned the David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship from the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest professional organization of astronomers, earth scientists, and oceanographers.

The scholarship is a $1,000 financing boost with another $500 to allow her to attend the annual fall conference for the organization. While at the conference in San Francisco, she will give a presentation of her research.

Amelse, 27, was raised near Chicago. She earned her social work bachelor’s degree at the University of Hawaii. Now she is earning her second bachelor’s at URI.

“This is a huge honor,” Amelse said. “When I first heard about it, I just couldn’t believe it. It’s a very competitive award, so I’m proud to be able to represent URI and my department.”

The scholarship is going to Amelse because of her earlier Coastal Fellow program research, which is an initiative that encourages undergraduates to resolve current environmental issues.

Amelse’s research focuses on microorganisms named foraminifera (forams), which are small shelled creatures within marine sediments. These creatures help to interpret prehistoric climate change and sea level changes.

“I hope to wrap up my project in October, which will give me time to focus on what I’m going to present,” she said. “It could have implications for scientists who use forams for reconstructing prehistoric sea level changes.”