The Upper Mississippi Center (UMC) advances community-engaged research by connecting Augustana students with local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations throughout the Quad Cities region. Through the UMC, students from all disciplines engage in hands-on, real-world projects that integrate fieldwork, applied research, service learning, and internships. These collaborative partnerships address pressing environmental, health, and sustainability challenges—benefiting both student learning and community well-being.
Students assess macroinvertebrate populations in a local stream--one factor involved in determining the overall health of a watershed.
What can an internship with the UMC do for me?
- Gain experience working on real-world community-led sustainability projects which connect classroom learning to professional development.
- By working closely with community partners, you can expand your network leading to additional professional opportunities, internships, and full-time jobs. This can help you discover more interests and strengths, as well as what type of work environment you thrive in.
- Build your resume and develop skills directly transferable to the workforce.
How can I participate?
Contact Alyssa Klauer, UMC Sustainability Program Manager, at alyssaklauer@augustana.edu to find out how you can volunteer, pursue an independent study, or apply for a research internship!
2025-2026 UMC Student Research Interns
Tara Armas
Watershed Research Team
Tara (she/her) is from Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and is double majoring in Physics and Geology. After graduate school, she hopes to work in renewable energy. “I’ve always wanted to make the world a better place,” she says. With her academic background, she’s eager to make meaningful contributions toward a more sustainable future. Tara’s summer research examines factors influencing macroinvertebrate diversity and pollutant presence in Duck Creek tributaries, including the impact of a recent major flood event. “Macroinvertebrates provide a direct measure of water quality, and this research helps identify which streams need conservation attention,” she explains. Through the UMC, Tara has developed leadership skills by managing her research both in the lab and field, while appreciating the supportive community and opportunities to grow as a scientist.
Alia Barcus
Ecology & Microplastics Research
Alia (she/her) is from O’Fallon, Illinois, and is double majoring in Chemistry and Computer Science. She finds research both challenging and gratifying, seeing it as a way to better understand the world and herself. Her summer project investigates how diet—specifically a fish’s place in the food chain and its food sources—affects the distribution of microplastics across freshwater fish tissues and species. Through the UMC, Alia has gained confidence in data collection, analysis, and scientific communication, learning how to present her work in a way that resonates with peers and professionals alike. She values the feedback and collaboration with mentors and fellow researchers, which has strengthened both her skills and perspective
Audrey Bezella
Wildlife Research Team
Audrey (she/her) is from Schaumburg, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. While still exploring specific career paths, she hopes to pursue work that positively impacts both people and the environment. Audrey’s research focuses on red fox and coyote behavior—specifically how they use forest patches depending on the presence of one another, and whether their activity patterns shift based on time of day. “I want to better understand the animals in my community and how they interact,” she shares. Through the UMC, Audrey has strengthened both her technical and interpersonal skills—gaining experience in tools like Excel and SPSS, while also growing as a communicator and collaborator. She especially values learning from peers and mentors across diverse fields of expertise.
Tom Gruber
Watershed Research Team
Tom (he/him) is from Batavia, Illinois, and is double majoring in Geology and Environmental Studies. He is working toward a career in environmental consulting and river management, driven by a strong interest in protecting freshwater systems and the communities that depend on them. “Rivers provide so many benefits, but they can also be dangerous—ongoing research helps keep people and ecosystems safe,” he explains. Tom’s summer research focuses on stream response time—specifically, how quickly streams reach peak water levels after rainfall and how fast they flow during those peaks, known as discharge. Through the UMC, he has sharpened his critical thinking and research design skills, while gaining deeper insight into hydrology and fieldwork. Tom especially values the collaborative atmosphere, where helping and learning from peers fosters a strong sense of teamwork.
Graham Hunt
Watershed Research Team
Graham (he/him) is from Elgin, Illinois, and is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Spanish. With broad interests in environmental science, sustainability policy, climate resilience, and community engagement, he is passionate about finding solutions that benefit people, animals, and the planet. His research project, Silver Creek Tributary Geospatial Outfall Delineation, focuses on mapping stormwater infrastructure within the Silver Creek watershed to better understand the human impacts on water quality.
“This experience has been eye-opening—I’ve realized how much I enjoy fieldwork,” Graham shared. “UMC provides a space where I can geek out with like-minded environmental nerds… and apply our classroom knowledge to real-world research questions with serious local impact.” Through the UMC, Graham has expanded his technical skills, explored new areas of interest, and deepened his commitment to pursuing an environmental career grounded in hands-on work and meaningful community outcomes.
Isaac Loyo
Wildlife Research Team
Isaac (he/him) is from Oak Lawn, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies and Geology. He is working toward a career as an ecosystem technical manager or environmental consultant, motivated by a passion for being immersed in the environment while contributing to its preservation. Isaac’s summer research investigates how urbanization affects coyote activity and distribution, particularly regarding their impact on white-tailed deer populations. “Understanding how coyotes adapt to urban settings helps inform wildlife management decisions that can balance predator-prey relationships and support healthier urban ecosystems,” he explains. Through the UMC, Isaac has gained valuable hands-on research experience and developed critical thinking skills that will enhance his future career prospects. He especially enjoys the fieldwork and the collaborative community the program fosters.
Christian Mammoser
Wildlife Research Team
Christian (he/him) is from Chicago, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies, Geography, and GIS. With a wide range of interests across environmental and geographic fields, he is passionate about conservation and the natural world. His research focuses on Deer Browsing on Local Vegetation Density, and he values the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful ecological work. Christian is especially motivated by a lifelong connection to nature and a desire to carry forward the legacy of his twin sister, whose love for animals and the environment continues to inspire him.
Emma McVicker
Watershed Research Team
Emma (she/her) is from North Riverside, Illinois, and is majoring in Geology with a minor in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST). She plans to pursue graduate studies in geomorphology or paleoecology/paleontology and hopes to work as a field geologist in one of these areas. This summer, her research explores how flooding impacts stream sediment transport and macroinvertebrate populations. Through the UMC, Emma has gained valuable experience in field and lab techniques, GIS, and ecological research. She enjoys the collaborative environment and appreciates the opportunity to build skills that support her academic and professional goals while contributing important environmental data for the city of Davenport.
Mallek Newkirk
Wildlife Research Team
Mallek (he/they) is from Geneseo, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies and Biology. He aspires to become a plant ecologist specializing in native plants of the Upper Midwest, with plans to work in environmental consulting or research. Mallek finds being immersed in the natural world both energizing and fulfilling. His summer research explores how white-tailed deer browsing affects the invasion of Amur honeysuckle, an invasive species. “Understanding herbivory dynamics is key to forest ecosystem health, and this work sheds light on how deer influence invasive plant populations,” he explains. The UMC experience has given Mallek valuable field and lab skills while deepening his motivation to pursue his academic and career goals. He especially appreciates the team atmosphere and the balance between outdoor and lab work.
Kelsey Olsen
Watershed Research Team
Kelsey (she/her) is from Elgin, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST). While she hasn’t settled on a specific career path yet, Kelsey is passionate about pursuing a future focused on environmental science. Her summer research investigates erosion within Duck Creek tributaries by comparing suspended solid levels and composition to better understand the causes behind these differences. “I’ve seen firsthand how erosion affects local communities, and this research feels personally meaningful as it relates directly to people’s lives,” she shares. Through the UMC, Kelsey has gained valuable knowledge, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of her future career direction. She also appreciates how the program encourages exploration beyond individual research topics.
Kaitlin Troha
Wildlife Research Team
Kaitlin (she/her) is from Wheaton, Illinois, majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Spanish and Mass Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC). While she’s still exploring her exact career path, Kaitlin is excited to see where her passions and studies will take her. Her summer research examines the human shield hypothesis, which explores how human activity influences the relationship between coyote and white-tailed deer populations in the Quad Cities. “This research helps connect broader ecological questions with real-world impacts on biodiversity and forest health,” she explains. Through the UMC, Kaitlin has grown more confident in field and lab skills like tree identification and water quality sampling, and values the supportive community of fellow researchers and professors that has made the experience especially rewarding.
Joren Weller-VanHollebeke
Watershed Research Team
Joren (she/her) is from Silvis, Illinois, and is majoring in Environmental Studies. She aims to work in government law, driven by a commitment to making tangible improvements in her community. Joren’s research focuses on how stormwater outfalls vary across spatial and temporal scales. “I’m motivated by the opportunity to address real-world problems and contribute knowledge that supports community health,” she says. Through the UMC, Joren has developed both technical and interpersonal skills while clarifying her interests within the environmental field. She values the program’s role in her career development and appreciates the practical experience it provides.