The Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI) is proud to announce its 2016 summer interns. Interns started after Memorial Day weekend and will work until their respective fall semesters begin. Interning in the MERI laboratory is Danielle Heaney who attends Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Lauren Beglin of Fordham University, together they are analyzing PCB and heavy metal levels in the soil at the Secaucus High School Marsh. Interning in the MERI office is Ithaca College student Calvin Yohannan who is aiding Dr. Francisco Artigas with various projects including the EPA sponsored Benthic Biodiversity and Benthic Pollutant Loads grant.

Alexander Cid and Rachel Amasah-Dsani are spending the summer at the MERI through the Rutgers University – Newark Dynamic Urban Environmental Systems and Sustainability research experience program. Alexander Cid attends Hudson County Community College and is engaged in heavy metal analysis in sediment in the vicinity of tide gates. Rachel Amasah-Dsani is enrolled at Union County College and is analyzing cations and anions from pore water in sediment’s. Alex and Rachel will conclude their internships with an end of the summer presentation where they will present their findings.