What are you up to now?

Amanda (Park) Miller

REU '03

Mentor: Dave Orwig

Project: Vegetation and Nitrogen Dynamics Following Selective Hemlock Logging

Hometown: Wolcott, NY

College and major: SUNY College of Env. Science and Forestry, Syracuse U.; Environmental and Forest Biology, class of 2003

• What you miss most about the REU program: It was an incredible experience for many reasons. The people you meet are fantastic, interesting, and intellectual, resulting in friendships that have persisted over time. The facilities at Harvard Forest were wonderful, from the labs down the housing! And of course, the research projects were a great experience too. My mentor was just about the best mentor in the world!
• What you miss least about the REU program: Nothing really. It's like summer camp for curious, scientifically minded people.
• What about the REU program has stuck with you: The friendships and the research. Both are peerless.
• Have you stayed in touch with other REU students?: Yes!
• Whether your REU experience supported or changed your career plans: It affected my plans for a while at least. Then life caught up with me and I went with the flow.
• What you're up to now: I worked for the USDA doing microbiology research, went to grad school at Northern Arizona University, then dropped out to open a restaurant. I am now a Development Director/ grant writer/ fundraiser/ chief communications officer for a Community Health Center in North Idaho! Of course, I miss science dearly, but have found another calling in the non-profit sector.