Biology grad student wins top honor

Amy Fetters earns CSU COAST Graduate Student Research Award

By California State University, Bakersfield

June 2^nd, 2021

For Amy Fetters, being chosen for the Graduate Student Research Award by the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (or COAST) isn’t just recognition of a job well done. It’s also validation of her personal academic growth, proof that she is improving as a scientist as she continues to pursue her master’s degree in biology.

“Finding out I was selected for CSU COAST’s Graduate Student Research Award left me buzzing with excitement and confidence,” Fetters said. “I am honored to receive this competitive award among the many amazing graduate students across the CSU system.”

Fetters was chosen for the award based on her research of plastic pollution in the Kern River. Her selection for the award marks the first time a graduate student from California State University, Bakersfield has received the award, making it an even bigger honor for the student and a source of pride for her faculty mentor, Dr. Rae McNeish, too.

“Amy is a diligent, hard worker and has been successful at overcoming several challenges, both expected and unexpected while working on her master's,” Dr. McNeish said. “This award will help support Amy towards successfully completing her research and help propel her towards her future career goals.”

Originally from Chicago, Fetters, 24, earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola University Chicago in 2019. As an undergraduate student, she volunteered in an aquatic ecology research laboratory that studied microplastic pollution in freshwater. It was there she first worked with Dr. McNeish, whom she reached out to when she was applying to graduate school.

“The opportunity was perfect; I enjoyed working with Dr. McNeish, I was interested in the research she conducts and I have always wanted to move to California!” Fetters said. “I am extremely happy that I made the decision to attend graduate school at CSUB, and I am very satisfied with the experience I have gained so far.

In her research, Fetters focuses on determining the distribution of plastic pollution in the Kern River, hoping to determine how a bridge with closely spaced structural columns affects how anthropogenic (or man-made) pollution is distributed in rivers.

“We have noticed that human litter accumulates on structural columns underneath bridges, so we would like to know if this buildup of litter affects how much is being transported downstream,” Fetters explained. “Initial results show that plastic pollution accumulates in high densities under the bridge, and this may reduce the amount that can flow downstream, making bridges ‘hot-spots’ for litter build-up. These results can be communicated to litter removal programs so clean-up events can focus on removing plastic pollution at bridges in hopes of removing as much litter from the environment as possible.”

COAST is a CSU-wide organization that promotes and provides funding for marine, coastal and coastal watershed related activities conducted by faculty and students at CSU schools. It also serves as a resource for informed policy recommendations and fosters collaboration between researchers at different universities. The award of $3,000 will help cover Fetters’ remaining tuition and supplies for her lab.

“With the support that this award will give me, I will not have to rely as heavily on my external job to fund my personal expenses, allowing me to dedicate more time toward my research,” said Fetters, who works part-time at a biological consulting company performing biological field surveys throughout the San Joaquin Valley. “Funds for research supplies will greatly help with purchasing consumable materials needed for me to complete data collection for my thesis.”

As a child, Fetters spent most of her days and nights exploring in nature, she said, and was unsurprisingly drawn to study biology in college. The chance to dive into research she is personally interested in while learning ways to help the environment has been fulfilling for her.

“When I was working in an aquatic ecology research lab studying microplastic pollution, I gained valuable experience in field sampling and lab work, and I knew this was the area that I wanted to pursue,” she said. “Plastic pollution is a serious global issue that needs to be studied, so I wanted to contribute toward advancing knowledge on this subject in graduate school.”

Working with Dr. McNeish has been an incredible experience, Fetters said. An understanding and knowledgeable mentor, Dr. McNeish is always available to answer questions or address concerns, Fetters said.

“The collaborative relationship Dr. McNeish and I have has allowed me to showcase my own creativity and provide my own input into my thesis projects,” Fetters said. “We have worked alongside each other in every step of developing and executing my thesis projects, and I have learned valuable skills along the way such as research design, time management, data organization, and data analysis. I am thankful to have Dr. McNeish as my advisor, and I am looking forward to learning more while working with her."

Fetters is planning to graduate in spring of 2022 after defending her thesis. From there, she hopes to apply her skills in a practical work environment as a biological consultant with a private or governmental agency. After getting some more experience in the workforce and assessing her goals for the future, she may decide to pursue her doctorate in aquatic ecology.

“My time at CSUB has been invaluable for my development as a student and an aspiring professional,” Fetters said. “The biology graduate program at CSUB promotes connectivity and collaboration between fellow students and faculty, putting students at the forefront. Although we have been virtual for some time, I am comforted with the fact that if I need anything, there is always someone in the department that would be able to help me.”