Harold gathering permafrost data in the Alaskan wilderness
Glenville, WV - Glenville State College junior Hillary Harold spent more than two weeks this past July as part of a scientific expedition in Alaska studying the effects of climate change on plant life. She is a Natural Resource Management major from Widen (Clay County), West Virginia. Her Alaskan experience has reaffirmed her interest in environmental science and set her on a path that will include graduate school.
 Harold (pictured left) was part of a team which included three undergraduate students and two graduate students who were selected to help the National Science Foundation (NSF) with research on how climate changes over the past thirty years have impacted vegetation. Dr. Milan Vavrek, GSC professor of Natural Resource Management and Department Chair, accompanied Harold on the expedition as a mentor to the students. Vavrek had previously worked on similar research in Alaska.
"It was really a great experience for me. The landscape and climate are so different
from what I am accustomed to. I had never flown before so the long flight to Alaska was like trial by fire. I really got to know Professor Vavrek better and saw first-hand that climate change is real and is affecting our planet," said Harold.
The team traveled the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. The Dalton Highway is the road that truckers travel on the popular television show 'Ice Road Truckers.' They stayed at Toolic Lake Field Station, a world-renowned Arctic long-term ecological facility located in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range. The facility is shared by the NSF and the University of Alaska. The research group also spent time backpacking and camping through the wilderness.
Their research included measuring and harvesting characteristics of vegetation, determining depth to permafrost, and setting up experiments.
"Hillary is an enthusiastic student. She worked tirelessly in Alaska, sometimes under harsh conditions, and enjoyed the entire experience. Perhaps more importantly, she always wanted to learn more about the science underlying the research. She returned from Alaska with new confidence and has excelled at serving GSC and her fellow students with that confidence." said Dr.Vavrek.
Inspired by her experience in Alaska, Harold has conducted an independent study of the effects of the permafrost on plant life. Her abstract for this research has been accepted to be presented at the Ninth Annual Undergraduate Research Day at the West Virginia State Capitol on Thursday, January 26, 2012. This event will help members of the State Legislature and Executive Branch understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students whom these programs impact. Harold and Dr. Vavrek will have an opportunity to visit with State Senators and Delegates to talk about their undergraduate research.
Harold is the current treasurer of the Glenville State College Student Government Association and is also active with the Glenville Environmental Organization. She and her husband Linzie live on a large farm in Newton (Roane County) West Virginia.
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