Scott Jedrusiak (he/him/his) is based in the San Fernando Valley and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in geological science at California State University Northridge. He comes from an environmental science background so while his degree program is heavily based on geology, his interests, experience, and research lay more in surface water hydrology, hydrogeochemistry, and limnology.
Scott’s research focuses on establishing a baseline for contaminant trends in California reservoirs. Many California reservoirs are impacted by elevated levels of mercury and PCBs and his research aims to capture how water column stratification can affect the behaviors of other trace metals in these reservoirs. Both Castaic Lake and Pyramid Lake are located in wildfire-prone areas, and this will also contribute to increased metal concentrations in those reservoirs.
Scott’s motivation to apply for the CDLS Fellowship was not only to apply his research to a wider coalition of others monitoring climate change but to also join those fostering an inclusive environment within the STEM fields.