Emily Laus 🔸

Experience

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  Camp Kee-wanee

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2019

  Summer Camp Counselor

  Camp Kee-wanee is a daytime summer camp focused on performing arts and building self-esteem. I filled the position of a senior counselor for children ages 6-8 years old. In this position, over the course of six weeks for multiple summers, I was in charge of designing and leading activities, guiding the children, and fostering their well-being on both an individual and group-wide basis. At the same time, I worked with my fellow co-workers to ensure that everything within the summer camp ran as it should to guarantee fun for all children attending. My responsibilities in this role consisted of communication and collaboration with children and their families. Show less

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  University of Massachusetts Amherst

  Dec 2020 - Jan 2021

  United Nations Sustainable Solutions Winter School

  This United Nations Winter School demonstrated the importance of nature-based solutions in order to sustain our planet and well-being. The course introduced students to the concepts of Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), Ecosystem-Based Climate Adaptation, and water security.

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  University of Massachusetts Amherst

  Jun 2021 - Aug 2021

  William Lee Science Impact Program (Lee SIP)

  The William Lee Science Impact Program (Lee SIP) was one of my first exposures to undergraduate scientific research, analysis, and presentation. This summer internship connected me with research faculty and mentors who taught me to work in a lab and evaluate data with Python. At the same time, students were exposed to scientific articles in a variety of STEM fields so we could learn how to obtain information from writings outside of our expertise.Under the guidance of Professor Manasa Kandula, I explored the viscoelastic properties of polystyrene particles in alginate, creating a model biofilm to analyze. I created samples with different particle and solution concentration, observing them and recording their movement under a microscope. Using ImageJ and Python, I tracked the particles in the solution and calculated the numerical properties of the alginate. Show less

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  University of Massachusetts Amherst

  Jun 2022 - Sept 2023

  With the hope of incorporating oxygenic photogranules (OPGs) into activated sludge wastewater treatment, this research utilizes computer models to analyze the propagation of light and motion of particles in wastewater. Upon joining the team in Summer 2022, I began learning how to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD), OpenFOAM, and Linux in order to contribute to the project. My primary role in this research was to advance our knowledge of wastewater and OPGs through literature review, computer modeling, and analysis with Python code. Show less I had the privilege to work with Dr. Marta Vicarelli from the School of Public Policy (SPP) to investigate the practices of Community Choice Electricity (CCE) programs in Massachusetts. For this project, I helped to research energy policies and renewable energy markets so that we could analyze user data regarding the impacts of CCE programs throughout the state. From there, I quantified user inputs from surveys to create visually-appealing figures from Tableau, which would help us perform our analysis of the relationship between Massachusetts citizens, municipal governments, electricity usage, and green energy. Show less In a desire to travel abroad, connect with the environment, and understand human perspective a bit more, I attended the Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School. Exploring the culture of the Etruscans in Vescovado di Murlo, I learned how to excavate digging sites, analyze findings from the sites, and clean them for proper photography and storage. At the same time, I learned about the history and mythology of ancient peoples, following a very different path from my normal STEM education. In particular, I was inspired to pursue this program by one lesson I have learned: to bring good science to the world, we need to understand people. Show less

  • Solar-Powered Wastewater Treatment Research Project

    Jun 2022 - Sept 2023

  • Teaching Assistant for Freshman iCons Class

    Feb 2023 - May 2023

  • Data Analyst for Sustainable Economics and Policy Lab

    Jan 2020 - May 2023

  • Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School

    Jun 2022 - Aug 2022
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  Student PIRGs

  Aug 2023 - Aug 2023

  Civic Leadership Training Program

  Student PIRGs’ Civic Leadership Training Program is a 3-week virtual program that provides participants with the skills and training they need to run effective campaigns in their community. Participants learn how to build a team of student volunteers and leaders, use peer-to-peer tactics to mobilize communities, organize strategic in person and online actions and events, and develop campaign coalitions. Participants also join campaign teams to work on campaigns such as New Voters Project, Affordable Textbooks, Save the Bees, Hunger and Homelessness, Break Free From Plastics, and Restoring America’s Wildlife. Show less

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  The Outreach Team

  Aug 2023 - Sept 2023

  Signature Validator

  I assisted The Outreach Team in validating signatures received on their petitions so that they could be approved by the state for the team's movement for natural mental health resources. As a member of the validation team, I scanned petition signatures and deduced whether they were valid based on the necessary qualifications. Among the team of around ten people, we validated thousands of signatures each week before they were sent to the local town offices.

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  Barnes & Noble, Inc.

  Oct 2023 - Jan 2024

  Bookseller

  While reflecting on my college experience and putting together my next steps in my endeavor of science communication, I have been a seasonal bookseller for Barnes & Noble. As a bookseller for Holyoke's 2-floor store, I have been learning how to communicate with and assist customers, how to navigate the store's physical and online layouts, and how to balance several tasks with a positive attitude.

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  Frontier Community Access Television

  Jun 2024 - now

  Production Assistant

  I joined the Frontier Community Access Television (FCAT) team to garner some new skills and make new connections before starting a longer-term career. In this position, I assist with the production of a student-directed short film (release date TBD) by operating cameras, boom mics, and other media equipment. Furthermore, as an FCAT production assistant, I also record and broadcast public events across the Frontier community including sports games, music concerts, and town meetings.