Sam Gill, an Environmental Engineering major at Ohio State University, has been selected for the highly competitive DAAD-RISE internship program. This distinguished opportunity allows second and third-year STEM undergraduate students to engage in summer research at leading German universities. Gill was selected for the internship based on his academic excellence, extensive research experience, strong application, and passion for environmental engineering.
During the summer, Gill will contribute to a project at the University of Hamburg on how soil carbon fluxes in the Elbe River delta are affected by brackish water.
Gill said, “Something that I am really excited about is the project. It is exactly the type of complex system I want to be looking at. I’m also excited about the day to day of taking the light rail to work and meeting new people around the lab.”
His academic achievements reflect his dedication to advancing environmental science. An honors student, Gill is actively involved in research across two Ohio State labs. He is completing his honors thesis with research distinction under the mentorship of Dr. Linda Weavers, where he investigates the physical effects of ultrasound on harmful algal blooms. Additionally, he collaborates with Dr. Yanlan Liu on field studies examining how tile drainage in agricultural fields impacts greenhouse gas emissions from microbes.
Gill’s work has earned him multiple research fellowships from the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is an active member of the Mountaineers at Ohio State, embracing his passion for rock climbing and skiing. Looking ahead, Gill aspires to a career in research focused on the dynamic relationship between groundwater and living systems.
This is the second time that Gill has applied to the same DAAD-RISE project, and his persistence helped him stand out in the interview process. “This was a way to show interest, especially as I have a background outside of their research area,” Gill noted.
He also wrote a compelling motivation letter for his application. Undergraduate Fellowship Coordinator Louise Ling Edwards said, “Sam Gill expertly tied his past research experiences and skills to the DAAD-RISE project he applied to. He really showed how the RISE program will positively impact his career trajectory. This is one of the key components to writing a persuasive application.” She continued, “Sam is so deserving of this nationally competitive award, and I know it will be fulfilling for him both academically and personally.”
In addition to his lab work in Hamburg, Gill looks forward to presenting his research at DAAD-RISE’s annual summit in Heidelberg and exploring other parts of Germany.
“I've decided I have to start reading Thomas Mann because one of his books starts in Hamburg,” Gill said. “I plan to visit his family home in Lubeck, a small city less than an hour away.”
Gill also wants to travel in Europe before his internship starts. “I have a ticket to visit La Scala opera house in Milan to see a performance of a Kurt Weill piece (a 1929 opera in German about Chicago gangsters). After, I’ll go hike in the Swiss alps for a few days, then take a train along the Rhine until I reach Hamburg.”
Gill’s DAAD-RISE experience will expand his global cultural perspective and his international research network. Congratulations to Sam Gill for this remarkable achievement and his contributions to the field of environmental engineering!
Congratulations to Sam for this remarkable achievement and his contributions to the field of environmental engineering!