As a Summer Research Assistant in the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Science, fourth-year Environmental Sciences student Olivia Penn gained hands-on experience contributing to research on reducing methane emissions from Ontario landfills. Supported by the Faculty of Science’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF), which expands opportunities for undergraduate students to be involved in research, Penn spent the summer designing and conducting experiments that could lead to innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
Which lab did you work in this summer, and what is your relationship with your supervisor like?
I worked with the Ecohydrology Research Group in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences under the supervision of Drs. Fereidoun Rezanezhad and Philippe Van Cappellen. Both supervisors were supportive and always kept their doors open when I needed advice on my research, career, and post-graduation goals. I received invaluable opportunities to grow as a researcher with their support. My biggest takeaway from what they taught me is to look beyond unexpected results and understand that’s how science works!
Tell us about the research, and what you are learning
As part of the Mitigation of Methane Emissions Hot-spots from Landfills project, my role was to assess how landfill soils can naturally remove methane, and whether adding certain materials to the soil could make that process more effective under conditions that resemble Southern Ontario’s climate.
In the lab, I conducted amended soil column incubation experiments designed to simulate landfill methane hotspots under regional rainfall conditions. These experiments are based on results from the lab in 2024 indicating decreased efficiency with applied rainfall events. Findings show that methanotrophic activity decreases as soil moisture increases, emphasizing the importance of accounting for soil moisture in landfill methane mitigation strategies and cover soil design.
What is the impact of this research?
Determining the efficacy of soil amendments under environmentally relevant conditions can help to expand our understanding of landfill cover soil biology and its contributions to net greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. It is the lab’s goal to develop a toolkit to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian landfills.
How do you feel you have benefited from being a summer Research Assistant?
Being a Research Assistant has allowed me to bridge the gap between classroom learning and hands-on scientific research. This experience has strengthened my confidence by teaching me how to manage tight deadlines, adapt when experiments do not go as planned, and communicate and collaborate effectively with the scientific community.
How did you receive this summer research assistantship?
I joined the Ecohydrology Research Group in September 2024 for my second co-op term and have been working with them since then to continue building on my research.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Waterloo?
I chose to study at the University of Waterloo for its exceptional co-op program and reputation as one of Canada’s top research institutions. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience while completing my degree, allowing me to apply what I learn in class to the real world.
University of Waterloo’s environmental sciences program stood out to me because of its multidisciplinary foundation across the natural sciences that offers specializations after year one in ecology, water science, and geoscience.
What are your career goals, and what would you like to do after you graduate?
My experience at the University of Waterloo has given me greater clarity about my career goals and reinforced how much I enjoy research. After graduation, I plan to continue my studies and remain actively involved in research, with the long-term goal of building a career in environmental restoration and remediation and contributing to a more sustainable future.