March's Green Superstars: Anne, Vinh, and Koichi

Green Superstars

March 2014

Environmental Studies Lab Assistants

Anne Dinh (Class of 2015)

Vinh Tran (Class of 2015)

Koichi Kanaoka 

(Class of 2016)

You've probably seen them in class or around campus by now. Maybe you've even had a chance to ask Vinh or Anne about their studies abroad in Japan. However, you probably didn't think to ask any of them about what it's like working in the labs at SUA. The SSU Sustainability Committee (SC) decided to interview them to find out what goes on in the lab and what it takes to work there.

SC: How long have you been working at the lab?

Anne: Two and a half years.

Vinh: Two years in Dr. Robert's lab and two months with Lisa Krummet.

Koichi: Since freshman year, so one and a half years.

SC: How did you get the lab assistant position? Did you take class with Dr. Robert first or just apply and see what happened?

V: I just applied.

K: I was asked if I wanted to work by Dr. Robert when I was taking his Environmental Microbiology class because there was an job opening mid semester.

SC: What does an average day in the lab look like?

A: We work 2 days a week for 5 hours each. What we do depends on the agenda. Some days all we do is set up for an experiment as prep for the next time.

K: We also go out to the field and collect samples.

V: Now, I mostly clean Lisa's lab, or I set up experiments for her classes.

SC: So do you miss working in Dr. Robert's lab?

V: Yes. More hours.

SC: How often do you get to do field work?

A: Depends.

K: I go once a month for biomass sampling.

A: Last year there were capstone students, so we helped them out gathering greenhouse gas samples from wetlands in New Port Bay.

K: We each have specialties by training. I do mostly field work because I have clumsy hands.

A: I’m weak against the elements, so I do all the sample analyses indoors.

SC: So you have to be able to drive.

K: I have a car, so I drive everyone.

Vinh and Koichi collecting samples in the field

SC: What’s the most difficult part about working in the lab?

K: The work hours. You get drowsy after lunch, but you have to keep your concentration up.

A: There are no real breaks. The hours used to vary more, but now it's all 5 hours all at once.

V: Trying not to break stuff. Freshman year I accidentally broke something. The experiments can be long too--up to 8 hours. You have to finish them.

SC: What’s best part?

A: Seeing Dr. Robert in his natural form...

V: Getting paid!

A: But really, it's great for anyone who wants to gain lab experience, and I encourage them to apply for these positions. There's lots of hands on experience. You learn a lot.

K: You also get bonuses, like the conference in Hawaii.

SC: Did you have to do work while you were in Hawaii, or did you get to hang out?

K: We had to look at several of the researchers' posters, but we spent the rest of the time on the beach.

A: Vinh spent more time looking at posters and attending workshops...

V: I'm not so much for the beach.

SC: Did Soka cover travel expenses?

K: Travel, the hotel and food--everything was paid for.

The lab assistants take a well-deserved break on the beach

SC: What classes are you guys going to take next?

V: Requirements.  I've already taken 5 or 6 concentration courses.

A: Busenberg.

K: Environmental management. Also, I hope to do an independent study with Dr. Robert on biogeochemistry. I want to learn more about the topic in detail.

A: Having worked in the lab, sometimes we learn something before we get to the class. Then, it's like, "I finally understand it!"

SC: Vinh and Anne: now that you're juniors, and after helping past seniors with their capstones, do you have any ideas for your own capstone topics?

V: Dr. Robert already set capstone topic for me.

SC: Are you continuing some of the work that former capstone students have done with him in the past?

V: It's related, but not directly following it.

A: I'm still working on ideas, but I'm interested in microbiology.

SC: Do you think you want to continue doing scientific research after Soka?

V: Why not?

A: I would I enjoy it a lot.

K: I think it’s important to know these things, and I like science—well not as much as Vinh—but I want to make more of a direct impact rather than, "I made this discovery," and people apply that knowledge to make the change. But I think it’s a really good foundation for what I want to do. Maybe this sounds silly, but my end goal is to stop global warming by creating a sustainable model for developing countries.

A: A lot of countries are willing to sacrifice the environment for economic development.

SC: Do you have any advice for students who are afraid their math skills aren't good enough to work in the lab?

K: There's not so much math.

A: It’s all working with your hands. It’s all about how you pipette.

If you want to know more about Anne, Vinh, and Koichi's experiences in the lab, they would be pleasantly surprised and happy to talk about it! They're all very knowledgeable. You can also send Dr. Robert an email any time to set up a tour of the lab or watch these guys at work to see if it's something you might like to do.

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 If you know someone who deserves recognition as a GREEN SUPERSTAR in the coming months, please message us below, on Facebook, or at SSU_EnvironmentalDepartment@soka.edu .

November's Green Superstar: Master Gardener Robert Lawson

Green Superstar 

November 2013

Robert Lawson

You may know Robert Lawson as the application and systems specialist in IT.  However, you may not be aware that he's also been a certified Master Gardener for 6 years and was the first faculty manager of the Soka Instructional Garden (SIG).

A Master Gardener is a local resident

...trained to help residents of Orange County become better gardeners. Using a variety of activities such as workshops, lectures, and a garden hotline, these volunteers answer questions about home horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and integrated pest management using University of California research-based information.

3 years ago, Robert Lawson and Dr. Robert Hamersly proposed student garden at Soka under the wing of academics. At the same time, the city was also pushing a composting program. The result was a generally friendly "environment" for a teaching garden at Soka--the result can still be seen in the parking lot near the large conference room. Students work in the garden every Sunday morning!

Robert Lawson has since stepped down as faculty garden manager, passing the title on to Dr. Robert. However, his knowledge was critical to founding the garden, and students continue to use him as a resource.

Environmental Department: What made you become a Master Gardener?

Robert Lawson: "I ran a nursery for 10 years growing California native plants for restoration in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. I met a number of Master Gardeners during that time... I liked what I saw, so I signed up."

ED: How long did it take you to become a master gardener?

RL: "There is an initial trainer period of 6 months... 12 hours of training are required per year."

To keep their title, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer service to the community 25 hours per year.

ED: As a Master Gardener, what are you qualified to do or teach?

RL: "Being a Master Gardener is different from having a Masters in Gardening... We're amateur-volunteer scientists, the residential side of extension service out of the University of California Cooperative Extension Program."

Masters Gardeners are only responsible for a certain amount of community service--paid staff do commercial horticulture like farms and nurseries. The goal of the Master Gardener program is to teach and share scientific agricultural knowledge. The county encourages Master Gardeners to participate in a speaker program. They often work with schools, especially kindergarten - 6th grade.

There is also an acre of Irvine Great Park devoted to a Master Gardener demonstration garden.

"There are different specialties in the program: home gardening, canning, fruit trees, composting. I've done the composting program. I'm qualified to teach about composting."

ED: What do you grow in your garden at home?

RL: “[My yard] is not very big. But that’s the big thing…putting more into a smaller space.”

His basic garden is California natives. However, he also has a full winter garden and a variety of fruit trees: orange, lime, tangerine, nectarine, plum, apples, cherry, pluot, avocado, and

blueberries. He uses drip irrigation (microsprinklers.)

ED: How do you hope to see the SIG develop in the future? What do you think it should achieve?

RL: "When I ran the nursery, the goal was to produce plants of equal caliber to commercial nurseries. I think the goal for the SIG is parallel--to produce plants and compost equal to what you could buy at the supermarket or garden store.

"It’s a big commitment. People like success. You want to be on a winning venture. And if you can produce that, you’ll be viewed as a winner.”

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Robert Lawson was set to retire in December...but we're lucky to have him for a little longer yet. If you have questions about gardening, composting, or the Master Gardener program, shoot him an email. For more information on the SIG, you can get in touch on Facebook!



 If you know someone who deserves recognition as a GREEN SUPERSTAR in the coming months, please message us below, on Facebook, or at SSU_EnvironmentalDepartment@soka.edu .

Learning Cluster Highlight: Campus Sustainability with Dr. Robert Hamersley

It's learning cluster season once again! Obviously, this time can provide opportunity to do and see a lot of things abroad... but it could also be an opportunity to look at our home from a new perspective...

"Sustainability means more than a 'green' environmental consciousness. A healthy society and planet has the capability to endure economically, socially, and environmentally. 

What does sustainability mean for universities?

In this learning cluster, we will study campus sustainability on both theoretical and practical levels.

Universities have special roles in promoting sustainability both as educational institutions and as examples for the wider community. Sustainability on campus plays out in academics, operations (the physical impact of the university), 

and in the administration. 

How have other universities worked to become more sustainable? What actions is SUA taking to be more sustainable? What direction should SUA take in the future?

Activities will include meeting with the main players in SUA's sustainability drive, and (if possible) making some field trips to understand how nearby universities have tackled the challenge.

The course will be academically challenging and will encourage students to develop their academic abilities in thinking, learning, and writing about campus sustainability."

(based on my experience in his previous LC)

You will learn a ton, and it will be super rewarding!

Please contact Dr. Robert ( rhamersley@soka.edu ) if you are interested or want to find out more.