Sophia Kim ’28: Research Intern

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill, Maine, to bridge environmental health and human well-being.

Working for the only nonprofit organization in Blue Hill that monitored water quality, we and produced weekly reports on safe swimming conditions and seafood consumption at several recreational beaches in the area. We also identified phytoplankton associated with harmful algal blooms to report to the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources to prevent red tide, producing dangerous neurotoxins in marine organisms. I contributed to larger ongoing research investigating the concern of microplastic as a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions by processing human tissue samples from patients with cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease in collaboration with Harvard, New York University, and Arizona State University. 

This internship has ultimately taught me the importance of connecting research to the communities it serves. One concern in Blue Hill is the rising sea levels blocking local causeways, which often are the only road people use to commute. Rising sea levels poses a greater risk of microplastic contamination, specifically tire wear particles. To protect coastal communities, I conducted a literature review on the effects of tire wear particles on freshwater aquatic ecosystems in collaboration with an environmental law firm to produce effective policies. Each experience leading up to this reinforced how interconnected science, environmental health, and public health truly are. 

Internship funded by: The Dr. and Ms. James Chan and Mr. and Mrs. The Tran Internship Fund