S-STEM/TRAIN Scholar Jasmine Patricio

Abstract: Arizona: Lakes, Ponds, and Canals potential impacts of chemical exposures on aquatic bird species   Surface water in metro-Phoenix is contaminated due to urban pollutants, impacts from water reuse, soils, and other human interactions. Harmful contaminant levels, in addition to Nitrate-N, Phosphate- P, temperature, and dissolved O2 may possibly have negative consequences on resident and visiting bird species’ populations. Therefore, we conducted a two-year study of bird use of urban aquatic resources across the metro-Phoenix area, which has raised concerns about the transfer of chemical contaminants from surface water to bird species. The pattern that we see in bird populations in urban aquatic resources appears to be seasonal, with some study sites showing a year-round pattern of use. For highly-used aquatic sites in particular, we report concentrations of water contaminants that may be impacting aquatic bird species. Given that Phoenix is part of the Urban Bird Treaty...

If I could go back in time and tell my freshman me at Phoenix College. I would tell myself to follow my own destination and do what I think would be best for me. I had a closed mindset on being a doctor because that was what I was told I should be my whole life. Once I started interning with Dr. Polidoro I realized that I had another interest in marine conservation and as that grew and I started to be more involved. I realized I wanted to build an actual career out of that. So, what I would tell my old self is to have an open mindset in different careers. Because you never really know where one experience could take you.