Merilie has just finished earning a BA in geology from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Her field experiences during her time at Smith include monitoring stream water quality and quantity in a Costa Rican cloud forest and studying the geology of a copper-zinc deposit in rural Mexico. Both projects raised her awareness of how scientists can contribute to the social, economic, and political issues related to their research and she is excited to pursue that interest during her internship. Merilie grew up in rural Wisconsin and she is excited to take advantage of all the big city opportunities DC has to offer, including the thriving Ultimate Frisbee community.

Merilie is currently working in exploration geology for Barrick Gold in Winnemucca, Nevada. (8/09)