University of Michigan - Flint

Marcus Wolverton Major: Earth and Resource Science

Please describe your UROP project.
My area of research is currently studying the flow direction error in hydrographic areas within Genesee county using gathered lidar data and a geographic information system (GIS). I am majoring in resource science and planning, and Dr. Edwin Chow is advising me on this project.

How did you get involved in research?
I first got involved in this research after being proposed it at the beginning of the Fall 08 semester. I have an interest in GIS and was willing to use it in whichever research prospect came my way.

How has participating in research impacted your education?
This venture into independent research has given me some important insight on proper time management and professionalism. At the start of it I had a lot of trouble adapting to being self reliant on how to solve problems and maintain my own schedule instead of having a professor do it all for me.

What has been the most satisfying aspect of your research experience?
The most satisfying thing about this research is that I know that it will benefit myself in some way in the form of getting a job or getting into graduate school. It is also reassuring to know that this research could eventually be developed into something to benefit the field as a whole.

What are your future plans? How has participating in research helped you in preparing for those future plans?
I cannot yet decide if I would like to get a job after graduation or look into graduate school. I, honestly, would like to head into graduate school but I am not yet prepared to make a solid decision as to which school to attend, or which program to go into. I certainly know that this research will give me the necessary experience to venture into either option.

What advice would you give to students interested in being involved in research?
II think students should look for opportunities in areas that interest them. Doing research can be difficult at times and often takes a lot of hard work. So I think it's important to love what you're doing and to have passion in that field. It's also important to have a solid relationship with your faculty sponsor. The person or people with whom you're working can make all the difference in a great research experience.