It鈥檚 also why she鈥檚 been conducting hard core research that gets her waist deep in wetland muck. She鈥檚 hoping that treatment wetlands can help battle against the microplastics that are generated in your laundry and aren鈥檛 caught by wastewater treatment systems.

Much of today鈥檚 clothes are made of synthetic or semi-synthetic fabrics such as spandex or rayon, she says. Microscopic pieces of these fabrics break off when they tumble around in the washer and don鈥檛 dissolve in the water, which can cause problems for wildlife. There is not much research on the long-term effects of ingesting microplastics in humans.

Stahl will present her on-going research at the Student Scholar Symposium this week. The symposium is part of , which is free, open to the public and ongoing in the Student Union this week. Stahl shared what鈥檚 she鈥檚 learned and why we all need to pay attention.

Why are you pursuing your major or field of study?

I am actively pursuing a degree in environmental studies because I am passionate about improving mankind鈥檚 relationship with the environment. A goal of mine is to create better living conditions for humans while maintaining and promoting the health of the environment.

What does your research examine and how does it impacts the community?

A general definition for microplastics is manufactured plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that do not dissolve in water. A recent study of the Mississippi River found that approximately 97% of microplastics were clothing fibers. This makes our laundry wastewater the major carrier of microplastics into our water treatment plants, and research shows much of these fibers are not successfully removed during traditional wastewater treatment. Microplastics are a known environmental pollutant. Their small size makes them difficult to remove, they persist intact in the environment for a long time and can cause damage to living organisms that actively or passively ingest them. Treatment wetlands are an extremely effective system for breaking down environmental pollutants and hazardous substances like nitrogen, phosphorus, and pharmaceutical compounds, which also are not effectively removed during traditional wastewater treatment. However, the processing of fibers from wastewater using treatment wetlands has not yet been tested. We seek to understand if the natural processes of water filtration, photodegradation and microbial decomposition that occur in a treatment wetland could also aid in the break-down of microplastic fibers.

How did you develop the idea for this research project?

Many studies have dealt with microplastics breaking down and moving through our oceans. However, we have only begun to scratch the surface in regard to how microplastics circulate throughout terrestrial ecosystems. Pollution in terrestrial ecosystems tends to hit closer to home for the many of us. Learning how this new form of pollution is affecting our environment and looking for a way to help reduce the quantity has led to the creation of this research project. Since wetlands are known for breaking down a wide range of very complex compounds and treatment wetlands are commonly used for removing harsh substances from wastewater, there is reason to speculate that treatment wetlands might have an impact on the amount of microplastics fibers found in treatment plant waters.

What should people know about your research?

Our knowledge on the long-term effects plastic and microplastics have on both humans and nature has only recently started to be studied since plastic is such a new material. Wetlands have also started to take off in research only recently. There are many questions we still have regarding wetlands and many avenues left to explore. The limited knowledge we have on both topics creates a unique opening to explore a vast array of untapped knowledge. The ability to see how these two newly accepted parts of our society interact and impact one another is a new field of study that is waiting to be explored.

Why is research important to you?

Research is an important aspect of not only science and education, but as a basis for how we learn about the world. Questioning what we see around us has only increased our understanding. Research and understanding have also led humanity to create technological innovations that have helped benefit countless lives. Working towards a better future can only be done with knowledge and an attempting something, even if you get it wrong.

Why did you choose 麻豆映画传媒?

I choose to attend 麻豆映画传媒 before I heard back from any of the other schools I applied for. I originally wanted to move out of Orlando and attend college someplace else. However, after touring the campus made me feel like I was at home. It felt safe, comfortable and like I already fit in. Everyone I met was so friendly and welcoming. Also, both of my parents attended 麻豆映画传媒. Hearing about how the campus has grown and seeing all of the innovation happening at the university only added to my enthusiasm to choose 麻豆映画传媒.

What is your career goal?

I hope to work in a field that deals with environmental conservation. Protecting and improving the quality of our environment is something I would love to help out with in whatever way I can.

What are some of your hobbies?

In my free time I enjoy woodworking and have made a variety of projects including cutting boards, bowls and live edge tables. Caring for my eight kinds of animals and 35 species of plants takes up a good portion of my free time as well. I also enjoy hiking trails all around Central Florida.

鈥淚 remember learning about reducing, recycling and reusing when I was four,鈥� she says. 鈥淥ur family home was less than 3 miles from a water treatment facility. So as I got older, I started to realize the impact it had on our quality of life. That really fueled my motivation for finding a way to help our community and others like it.鈥�

Now, just a couple weeks away from earning her environmental studies degree and political science minor, Royer has her sight set on what鈥檚 next: law school. She plans to advocate for communities to ensure everyone has equal access to clean resources and proper infrastructure that benefits both the environment and society.

鈥淚 plan to focus on environmental law, as well as sustainability and community development. My goal is to become an environmental lawyer where I鈥檒l be able to tackle many of today鈥檚 environmental justice issues,鈥� she says.

An Opportunity to Thrive

Raised in Miami Gardens, Royer comes from a Caribbean home. Her mother is Jamaican and father is Dominican. The family is tight-knit and her parents always wanted to ensure Royer had the opportunity to succeed. And when it came time to choosing a college, it was her mother that gave her the idea of attending 麻豆映画传媒.

鈥淚鈥檓 so happy I became a Knight. The campus is beautiful and there are so ways to get involved.”

鈥淢y mom told me about different opportunities available at 麻豆映画传媒,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 so happy I became a Knight. The campus is beautiful and there are so ways to get involved. Plus, the amazing football climate was a bonus. I love football.鈥�

One of her first priorities after arriving on campus was to take advantage of everything the university has to offer. She joined the and met students who shared similar values and were her support system during her time at 麻豆映画传媒. Royer was also part of LEAD Scholars for two years, which she credits with molding her into a better leader and person to serve others. During her Spring 2021 semester, she was initiated into the Mu Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she was able to expand her leadership experience by becoming the treasurer. Royer will also continue to make a global impact and serve her community alongside her sorority sisters.

鈥淚 always recommend students to get involved and spend their time wisely here. It鈥檚 a good way to meet new people, enjoy new experiences and figure out the path you want to take,鈥� she says.

Royer also participated in undergraduate research during her time at 麻豆映画传媒. She most recently completed an independent research project where she focused on the city of Houston 鈥� specifically on the resources and infrastructure the city has in place to help protect environmental conditions in urban and underserved communities. During her literature review, Royer gained insight into the designing storm water and flood management systems, managing weather events like Hurricane Harvey, and implementing measures to ensure equal access to clean resources and proper infrastructure. She hopes to bring awareness to the issue through publishing her research and presenting her findings at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) and in early 2022.

鈥淭he environmental studies program鈥檚 interdisciplinary approach helped me learn and apply creative solutions to solve challenging problems,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he experience helped mold me into a good candidate for law school, jobs and so much more.鈥�

Hands-On Skills Meet Real-World Experience

As Royer learned more about environmental studies and the legal field, she wanted to take the next step and get hands-on experience. She landed two internships with the City of Orlando which would provide her with a first-hand glimpse of what the industry entails. Royer鈥檚 first opportunity included serving as the city鈥檚 sustainability education intern where she helped coordinate workshops that taught middle schoolers about the environment and recycling.

鈥淚t was a great experience to get involved in our community. One of my favorite parts of the internship was contributing toward managing the urban farm spaces that we have. I learned so much,鈥� she says.

After completing her first internship, Royer stayed with the City of Orlando and transitioned to the energy department. This one was more data driven and allowed her to examine the science side of the industry.

Throughout her studies, Royer was determined to not let anything get in her way, including the pandemic. While many things were virtual, she continued searching for opportunities using 鈥� a database that connects 麻豆映画传媒 students and alumni with employers. It provided a path to her next opportunity: a paralegal internship with Malik Law PA in Spring 2021. There, she was able to work directly in the legal field 鈥� drafting documentation, motions, and notices, creating case files, and helping attorneys prepare for trial.

鈥淚 took it upon myself to find opportunities during the pandemic,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 wanted to elevate my professional skills and I鈥檓 so thankful for the opportunities that I found on Handshake.鈥�

Now, Royer is ready to take some time off after graduation and start exploring law schools 鈥� from Washington D.C. to Tennessee to Florida 鈥� before attending one in Fall 2022. She鈥檚 also looking forward to getting a head start on thumbing through some legal books during her downtime.

“I love it here. Coming to 麻豆映画传媒 made me a better person and has prepared me for the real world. I can’t wait to see where life takes me next.”

But Royer isn鈥檛 saying goodbye to 麻豆映画传媒 yet. Over the coming months, she plans to continue her work as a peer mentor and student assistant for the , where she helps guide students throughout their research journey, like recommending faculty mentors and finding ways to get funded.

鈥淚 love it here,鈥� she says. 鈥淐oming to 麻豆映画传媒 made me a better person and has prepared me for the real world. I can鈥檛 wait to see where life takes me next.鈥�

Hannah Hollinger is one of the few who does. A senior studying environmental studies, Hollinger became aware of 麻豆映画传媒 Facilities and Safety by being involved in Energy Knights, a student club that focuses on spreading knowledge of how to be more environmentally friendly. The Energy Knights鈥� president at the time told Hollinger that Facilities and Safety was looking for an intern.

鈥淚 went to see what it was about, and I was beside myself,鈥� Hollinger said. 鈥淚 thought 鈥楾his is what I want to get into.鈥� I didn鈥檛 even realize it existed.鈥�

In July 2015 Hollinger became Facilities and Safety鈥檚 Sustainability Initiatives鈥� social outreach intern, in charge of marketing campaigns that can educate the 麻豆映画传媒 community on sustainability efforts. After a year of seeing firsthand how Facilities and Safety works to make 麻豆映画传媒 a more sustainable campus, she realized something was missing: student input.

鈥淚 realized how, as a student, we don鈥檛 have access to understand what happens behind closed doors when it comes to sustainability, operations and facilities at 麻豆映画传媒,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e needed a connecting piece between students and operations.鈥�

That鈥檚 what inspired her to create the Student Sustainability Advisory Committee, a 13-person committee that began last August. It gives students access to 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 faculty and staff Sustainability Advisory Committee meetings, and the opportunity to help improve 麻豆映画传媒鈥檚 sustainability in return for internship credit. Students commit for one academic year to create proposals on how they think 麻豆映画传媒 can improve its sustainability and present them to SAC members who can help make them a reality. The first proposals are expected to be presented this month.

Although there鈥檚 no guarantee the student ideas will be implemented, Hollinger is confident most are at least feasible. One proposal is a composting pilot program in The Burnett Honors College. Another idea is to take a plain exterior wall on campus and make it a green wall with plants hanging from top to bottom, which can improve air quality and overall quality of life. 鈥淲e can utilize what used to be just concrete or drywall and make it into a living organism and a place you desire to be,鈥� said Hollinger, who also is the Student Government Association鈥檚 health and sustainability coordinator.

A third proposal is to create a community garden at Lake Claire where students can manage their own plot and grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Targets of each proposal range from improving campus buildings, land, energy usage, food, transportation, waste and water.

The creation of the student committee has been mutually beneficial for students and staff. Students get hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, and in turn, Facilities and Safety has a stream of fresh, innovative ideas, said Yarazeth Watson Colon, coordinator of 麻豆映画传媒 Sustainability Initiatives. Even though Hollinger will graduate in May, the student committee will live on.

鈥淲e want to continue having students come out of the classroom and into the field to help prepare them for the workforce that鈥檚 growing and changing,鈥� Colon said.

Hollinger first became passionate about environmental issues in her AP Environmental Studies class in high school where she learned the importance of the field and that its job demand was growing. With a Pegasus Scholarship in hand and a growing passion due to the 鈥渃limate-change uproar鈥� at the time, as she calls it, Hollinger came to 麻豆映画传媒 in 2013 to pursue an environmental studies degree and a career in urban planning or public administration.

鈥淚 found other people that care 鈥� sometimes I feel like even more than I do 鈥� and that鈥檚 been really encouraging to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淧lus, there are so many clubs on campus with an environmental aspect. I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e gotten that level of exposure had I not come to 麻豆映画传媒.鈥�

As Hollinger鈥檚 time at 麻豆映画传媒 winds down, she can rest easy knowing her original mission of social outreach for sustainability initiatives at 麻豆映画传媒 has been successful.

鈥淧eople have emailed me often asking about the opportunity with the SSAC,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 now something other people want to be part of.鈥�

Clinton praised the student for the sustainability efforts he鈥檚 implemented into his work. His use of solar-powered musical sets as a DJ has earned him invitations to the Clinton Global Initiative University.

The DJ is a senior environmental studies student from Tampa involved with the student group IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions).

What has your experience at 麻豆映画传媒 been like so far?

I have had a wonderful experience at 麻豆映画传媒. I鈥檝e been yearning for learning. I have had classes where I utilized mind-boggling GIS technology. I have had a class where I went to an outstanding organic farm. Throughout my studies, I鈥檝e been blessed with some inspiring teachers.

Since freshman year I’ve been fortunate to be a part of IDEAS. I led the initiative Bikes Save CO2, and was previously the organization鈥檚 president. IDEAS is doing great stuff with research, action, and awareness. Through IDEAS I met some of the most impactful people of my college career, especially during Power Shift 2011, a grassroots effort to promote 鈥済reen鈥� issues. During this time I also ate a chunk of wasabi the size of a golf ball 鈥� in one bite. It was an exciting moment in DJ Chill Will鈥檚 history. This October, Power Shift 2013 will take place in Pittsburgh. I will be there alongside other leaders from around the world to fight for our future.

When did you first know that you wanted to become a DJ

I didn’t.

My friend, Joe, previously known as DJ Dragonz, was the only DJ I knew. I was his bodyguard at parties and events to make sure no one hassled him or touched his equipment while he was mixing. He had to go get a drink one time and told me that he’d probably be back before the song was over. However, time was running out and the screen was flashing red, (meaning the track was coming to an end) so I put on the headphones and moved sliders, clicked buttons, and twisted knobs the way I saw him do it. Things happened. As he always said, the best transitions are those that aren’t noticeable, and no one noticed mine. Except Joe. 聽He said he heard it from the other side of the venue.

I loved the possibilities of endless music so I kept practicing with him and eventually bought my own setup. Furthermore, I have always loved the ability of smells and the olfactory gland to transport one鈥檚 mind to a different place and/or time. I believe that music has the same ability.

What motivated your interest in sustainability?

I’ve always been more of a wild child. I feel very comfortable in nature wherever that may be. I’ve been fortunate enough to go with my family and friends to the Florida Keys almost every summer to free dive and scuba dive. I noticed a large amount of reef depletion, increased coral bleaching, and an increase in pollution 鈥� especially from plastics. Similar problems have been occurring in some of Florida鈥檚 beautiful freshwater waterways.

I wanted to find a way to fight these problems. One of the easiest ways to do so is to switch our fuel source from dead dinosaurs to the powerful sun. Coal and oil may have helped move society along more than 425 and 150 years ago, respectively, but times have changed. We need to upgrade. To hold onto these sources of energy is to be that stubborn, drunk 鈥榝riend鈥� who claims that he or she is fine to drive. This dirty energy use is killing people, animals, plants, and the natural world. One of the current ways to move on and 鈥渟ober up鈥� is by using renewable energy specifically from the sun and wind.

These sources do not require constant digging and destruction. Once solar and wind are installed, the most one has to do is service the panels and turbines every 30 years. And what better place to develop solar than the Sunshine State?

Where did the idea for solar-powered DJ equipment come from?

The idea for solar powered sets came to me after working at my friend Terry鈥檚 house. His house was powered entirely by solar and wind power. I DJed a big solar installation and build party there. I was exuberant that I had only played clean-energy music! I felt liberated. There was no coal providing the electricity for the music I just played. After that experience, I wanted all the music I played to be powered by renewable energy. I thought, what better way to accomplish that than to make a portable DJ setup with the sun as its power source.

So I made a portable setup with the help of my friend, Chris Marstaller. We are working on fundraising for bigger solar panels now so that we can play longer gigs and teach more people about this wonderful energy source.

Tell us about your involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative.

To attend the Clinton Global Initiative University is an honor that has been bestowed upon some of my other friends and colleagues. It is a place where student leaders, topic experts and celebrities come together to make innovative and real solutions to current global challenges. Each person makes a commitment and needs to follow and live up to that commitment to be invited back.

My commitment is to solar-powered DJing. I went to Washington University in St. Louis and met some awesome people working toward their goals and a better world. I also got advice from knowledgeable speakers about how to better accomplish my mission. I plan on accomplishing the goals I set and going back to CGIU again this year.

How did it feel to hear about his shout-out to you in his spring commencement address?

It was surprising to have the president mention me鈥�
That day I received numerous text messages saying 鈥淏ill just mentioned you!鈥� and 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of you!鈥� The 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of you鈥︹�� text actually had nothing to do with the president mentioning me. That was from my mom 鈥� she just learned to text. But, these other texts referring to some Bill guy mentioning me perplexed me. I responded back, cautiously: 鈥淏ill who?鈥� They answered, 鈥淐linton!鈥� My mom sent me another text, 鈥淓at a healthy lunch!鈥�

When I got home, I did a search to find out what my friends were on about. I found out and was ecstatic.

When you鈥檙e not working, what kind of music do you like to listen to?

I love listening to the Beatles, Beach Boys (saw them live 鈥� best concert I鈥檝e been to), jazz, reggae, folk music like Jim Croce, and some other mellow types of music when I鈥檓 relaxing. When I’m not relaxing I like some rock and some roll, as well as electronic music. Madeon is still one of my favorites to listen to 鈥� always upbeat and good vibes and the dude is only 19. He made songs I still love today, when he was just 15.

What鈥檚 next for you?

I’m working on expanding my reach even further and giving presentations/music events at schools around the country. I am actively working on acquiring a car that can be powered by used vegetable oil. Then, the plan is to go out and do hands-on demonstrations of solar power across the US. I’ve just started an Indiegogo online fundraiser campaign that is accessible through my website, , and am making a video for it. I want to thank everyone for the help and support, especially my family and friends. I love you all!