Arriana Casanova, a 2026 graduate who earned her bachelor’s degree in astronomy and earth sciences, was one of nine recipients of the 2025 Garry McKenzie and Henry Brecher Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship. The award supports undergraduate researchers by covering expenses such as travel, laboratory materials, and publication costs.

 

Working under the guidance of Melisa Diaz, Casanova focused her research on Lake Sukok in Alaska, where methane gas naturally escapes from lake sediments and interacts with the region’s cold environment. Her work contributes to a broader understanding of climate change processes in Arctic systems. Through her analysis of sediment samples near methane seeps, Casanova discovered that while methane does not significantly alter the mineral composition of the sediments, it does influence their texture.

 

Casanova emphasized the impact of the scholarship on her academic journey, noting that her senior thesis would not have been possible without this support. She also credited the experience with helping her gain a substantial amount of hands-on research experience.

 

To learn more about her experience and research, click here to watch a summary of her work!