Student Life

Greetings MESPOMers,

My name is Jennifer Lenhart, MESPOM alumna from the first batch (2005-07).

To the current students: I hope you are enjoying MESPOM and its various locations, connections, friendships and adventures!!!  :-)  As you prepare to decide your thesis subject, please know it is ok to have many topics, thoughts, uncertainties and loose-ends untied.  Actually, for those I have spoken to, it seems you have many good ideas and concrete topics. But I know it is never easy to make the final decision on what you will do, where you will do it, and what you can 'contribute' to the greater field of scientific knowledge + research.  Anyway, I thought to share a few suggestions (based on my own process of confusion and reflection):

The interaction of microorganisms with pollutants has lead to the development of an exciting field of research for environmentalists. The unprecedented interest in bioremediation and its applications stems from the failure of aggressive and invasive treatment methods that disturb ecosystems by stuffing them with unnecessary quantities of chemicals. Therefore, the use of microorganisms represents a viable, cost-effective decontamination alternative that is based on natural processes and can be scaled up for industrial or other purposes.

Excerpt from a recent MESPOM Google group discussion thread.

For starters, this address is probably one of the few student residence facilities in the world that look like anything but : all floors wall- to-walled, 24 hour reception, central heating and cooling, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pool, sauna and gym, open spaces - all maintained and offered free. Every furnished room with broadband connected computers, its own temperature knob, hot and cold shower 24/365, and a view of the general landscape. It is cleaned and changed weekly without fail.

I obtained a BSc in Environmental Sciences and Development Studies at the Zamorano University in Honduras . During my last year of studies I did an internship in Mexico, where I worked with World Vision in the area of design, monitoring and evaluation of development programs for five regions. After my undergraduate I worked in Boliviawith The Nature Conservancy on improve the forestry sector. I also participated in a research program carried out by the Department of Renewable Resources at the Louisiana State University, US.

I have a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and I was taking my graduate study in thermal science and energy engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, while working in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) field at the same time. My research interests included wastewater treatment, the CDM as well as climate change, solid waste management, renewable energy and environmental assessment and management.