Discovery Corps Fellowship: Improving Ghana's Water Quality and Accessibility Through Water Monitoring Initiatives, Resource Management and Education

乔安娜Skluzacek，宾夕法尼亚州立大学（PSU），是一个发现军团博士后研究员为2007-2008和2008-2009学年。 Skluzacek将利用PSU与加纳塔尔克瓦矿业和技术大学（UMaT）之间的现有关系，建立监测站，并制定方法，评估加纳开发和金矿开采对环境造成重大压力的地区的水质。这一伙伴关系将支持加纳负责任地管理资源所需的人力和学术资本的增长，同时促进对可持续发展所面临的地方和区域挑战的理解。从该项目获得的数据将用于提高公众对采矿做法的风险和影响的认识，并改善当地居民可用的水质。Skluzacek还将与宾夕法尼亚州立大学材料研究科学与工程中心（MRSEC）和非洲地球科学、工程与发展联盟（AESEDA）合作。 这两个中心将支持促进利用科学能力为社会服务的研究和推广工作。这个探索队项目将加强国际合作，并鼓励学生考虑不同群体的职业生涯连接材料科学水化学和补救。将这项工作纳入夏季科学研讨会以及PSU的本科生和研究生课程将帮助学生认识到国际环境研究的个人和全球利益。这项发现军团奖学金由化学部和国际科学与工程办公室的非洲，近东和南亚计划支持。探索军团奖学金计划寻求新的博士后和专业发展模式，结合联合收割机的研究专业知识与专业服务。探索团研究员通过解决国家需求领域的项目利用他们的研究专长。他们的项目提高了研究能力和基础设施，并有助于劳动力发展和创造就业机会。探索队计划支持博士后研究员和高级研究员。

Joanna Skluzacek, Pennsylvania State University (PSU), is a Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years. Skluzacek will build on existing relationships between PSU and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, Ghana to establish monitoring stations and to develop methods for evaluating water quality in areas of Ghana where development and gold mining have put substantial stress on the environment. This partnership will support the growth of the human and academic capital needed for responsible management of resources in Ghana, while promoting the understanding of local and regional challenges to sustainable development. The data obtained from this project will be used to increase public awareness of the risks and impacts of mining practices and to improve the quality of water available to the local population. Skluzacek also will work with the Penn State Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) and the Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in Africa (AESEDA). These two centers will support research and outreach efforts that promote the use of science capabilities in service to society. This Discovery Corps project will strengthen international collaborations and encourage a diverse group of students to consider careers linking materials science to water chemistry and remediation. Integrating this work into summer science workshops and undergraduate and graduate courses at PSU will help students recognize the personal and global benefits of international environmental research.This Discovery Corps Fellowship is supported by the Division of Chemistry and the Africa, Near East and South Asia program of the Office of International Science and Engineering. The Discovery Corps Fellowship Program seeks new postdoctoral and professional development models that combine research expertise with professional service. Discovery Corps Fellows leverage their research expertise through projects that address areas of national need. Their projects enhance research capacity and infrastructure and contribute to workforce development and job creation. The Discovery Corps Program supports both Postdoctoral Fellows and Senior Fellows.