This summer we’re introducing interns from URISE, RESESS, Student Career, and Geo-Launchpad programs to highlight their research projects and how EarthScope programs further their career goals.

Danielle Matthews is originally from Texas, but moved to Lakewood, Colorado a few years ago. They recently graduated with an associate’s degree in arts and anthropology from Red Rocks Community College and will be beginning their junior year at the University of Denver this fall. There they plan to major in anthropology, history, and geography. 

This summer Danielle is working with Dr. Sharon Bywater-Reyes of University of Northern Colorado on measuring and mapping the topography of St. Vrain Creek in northern Colorado. Danielle expresses that mapping this area is essential because in 2013 it experienced a 100-year flood that caused millions of dollars in damage. After graduating from the University of Denver, they want to study historical and geographical archaeology—specifically with ancient civilizations. 

Q&A

• What’s been your favorite part about the internship so far?

I love just going down to the river and walking down. I’m really looking forward to getting into the river and taking measurements; they got us waders and I look like a little frog in it. It’s gonna be awesome.

• What are your favorite hobbies

I’m a bookworm, so I do lot’s of reading. I love playing with my cats, and I love going to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I have a membership there and the zoo. One of my friends is really into the Nuggets, so recently we’ve been watching a lot of those games, as well.

• How does this internship fit with your career goals?

After I get my degree, I would really like to focus on historical and geo archeology. This really helps me because I want to focus on ancient civilization, and humans have always been focused on bodies of water like rivers. This river science project is going to be very helpful to help me understand how rivers move through the ages and things like that.