
Lashaun Jackson
University of Michigan
Research Mentor: Tyler Kukla
Project: Impact of the Green Sahara on Abrupt δ18O Shifts in East-Central China
My summer in the CICOES REU program was nothing short of amazing. I feel very lucky to have had a great mentor – Tyler Kukla in the UW Department of Atmospheric Science – supportive and accessible program administrators, and other like-minded interns throughout my experience. While we all had different projects, learning and hearing about all the work that is being done in this field was not only interesting, but also inspiring to recognize the passion and hard work that is going into it. Before this program, I did not have any experience with the research process, but now that I do, I feel confident in choosing an academic and career path that best suits me. Not to mention, visiting Seattle for the first time was a dream as there is so much to do, see, and eat! There are plenty of opportunities for social activities among the cohort, exploring, and connecting with people in the field that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I would highly recommend applying for this program to anyone considering an academic career in research, or even if you’re just curious to know if it’s for you. Check out my video and poster to learn about my project. It was definitely one of the best summers ever!