Three UofL students, one engaging summer

Meg Gibson never thought she would be excited to look at tree rings. Yet, that’s exactly what she has been doing this summer.  

“Getting a foot into the door, into a field that you don't even know that you like, can change everything,” said Gibson, a senior in the College of Education and Human Development. “I didn't know this field that even existed before meeting Dr. Rochner.”

Gibson has been working in a lab for over a year researching dendrochronology – the study of measuring tree rings to establish age of historic trees. By analyzing the distinctive patterns of tree rings in living and dead trees, she can create a detailed record of environmental conditions and help date archaeological sites.

“It’s crucial because it can confirm construction dates and accurately determine the archaeological timbes and artifacts,” she said. “It can also help confirm the history of different people.”

Gibson’s summer research project has two parts. The first part is dating samples from the various structures such as the Riverside Planation in Louisville. The second part is a literature review on how dendrochronologists discuss the legacies of slavery in their work and how the dendrochronology can be used as a tool to tell lost stories.

“No matter what, you are dealing with this uncomfortable history. We are complicit in this work unless we say something and unless we are active in doing something about it,” said Gibson. “This is going to be an on-going project through my senior year because if I'm going to do this, I really want to do it well.”

Twenty-nine students are participating in UofL’s Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP). SROP provides University of Louisville undergraduate students an intensive 10-week research experience with a faculty mentor in any discipline.

Dominic Laduke, a geography student in the College of Arts and Sciences, participated in summer research to explore his passion of meteorology.

“Getting to college and seeing all the research that goes into the different products that we use for meteorology really interested me and I knew that I wanted to do something like that,” Laduke said.

His project focuses on simulating how severe weather interacts with cities. By creating a detailed computer model of a virtual city, complete with increased roughness to represent buildings and changes in temperature to reflect the urban heat island effect, Laduke's research examines the impact of aerosols – tiny particles suspended in the air – on these weather events.

Traditionally, research on severe weather and cities has relied on observations of past events. Laduke's project uses computer modeling to create simulations, providing a deeper look into why these interactions happen. This research could lead to more accurate forecasts.

“The main goal of all of this research is to keep people informed and safe,” he said.

Some SROP students are even taking their research global. Gunnar Goshorn, a fine arts and liberal studies student in the College of Arts and Sciences, developed an intensive art program at the University of Rome.

Goshorn’s artistic journey began with a performance art experience that sparked a passion for the experimental and the essence of art. This curiosity led him to take a chance and reach out to a professor, a decision that blossomed into a collaborative summer research project.

“What really got me to reach out to my professor was just how open she was in the classroom. I just sent her an email saying I found a scholarship and would really love to try and create an opportunity not only for myself but for her as well,” he said. “A huge part of the creative identity is building connections and the most beautiful thing about those connections is that they can be built between any two creatives.”

UofL's diverse environment also played a significant role in Goshorn's desire for research. From professors with a traditional appreciation for art to classmates with a range of backgrounds and identities, UofL has provided a playground of experiences and perspectives for him. This exposure has not only shaped Gunnar's artistic identity but also solidified his commitment to staying and building a community within Kentucky. 

“UofL has been a hundred percent the right choice for me because I don't think I would have had this experience or anything like this at any other school,” Goshorn said.