Thesis Thursday – Lia Ossanna

Hello all!  My name is Lia Ossanna and I’m student at the University of Arizona, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environment Science and a minor in East Asian Studies.  I grew up in Tucson, AZ and have always loved the beautiful Sonoran Desert. For the past two years I have worked in Dr. Maier’s Environmental Microbiology Research Group, where I study how to use soil biogeochemical indicators such as pH, microbial abundance, and nutrient concentrations to measure the success of mining revegetation.  In particular, I am examining how soil nitrogen dynamics affect plant growth in the waste rock at Carlota Copper Mine. When I’m not working I spend my time engaging in social activism, making jigsaw puzzles, and reading about Communist China. Next year I plan to attend graduate school and continue studying soil science after graduating from UA in the spring.