Student Profile: Samantha Myrla
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chatham experience is the community. In such unprecedented times, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23), have become increasingly grateful for this community and its members. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week features Samantha Myrla ‘21.
Samantha transferred to Chatham last spring after putting in years of hard work to get here. She brought with her a love for science, a drive to preserve the environment, and a need to be creative in all that she does. Learn more about her, the work she is doing in Sustainability research, and how her passions intertwine below!
Samantha Myrla ‘21
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Sustainability
Hometown: Oakdale, PA
Q: Why did you decide to study Sustainability at Chatham?
A: Well, with Rachel Carson as an alumnae and the beautiful Eden Hall campus, Chatham is a great place to go for Sustainability. I’ve been passionate about the environment since I learned about how finite our resources are in eighth grade. It moved me to learn what one person, such as myself, can do to preserve them, which is why I wanted to go to Chatham. I’ve worked really hard to get here. I went to community college for 3 years before I came, working jobs the entire time, and finally started here last spring.
Q: What do you want to do after graduation?
A: I want to start small with internships and then do research as well as invent patents. I’m currently working on a grant researching the chemical PFOA with Linda Johnson, and I enjoy that, so I’m considering continuing that work after graduation as well.
Q: What is PFOA?
A: Perfluorooctanoic acid is a man-made chemical, I refer to it as a manmade plastic from hell. Chemical companies make it to apply to products and then it gets into our waterways and kills species or makes them very sick. It has spread across the earth and can be found in spaces we haven’t expected it to spread at all. So this research is really important in stopping the spread of this harmful chemical.
Q: What’s the most important course you’ve taken so far?
A: I would say the classes I have taken about technical science skills like Writing About Environmental Science or Sustainable Professional Skills. In this field, your scientific methods and the way that you write about your work are crucial because if no one understands or believes your work, it will get nowhere.
Q: Outside of your studies, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I’m a musician. I play piano and guitar. I also enjoy learning about high-fashion. I like trying out different styles and following high-end fashion brands. I also like creating new sounds with my music. It’s all connected to my interest in science because it’s all experimentation really. I want to make science as fun as my hobbies. I don’t think people realize how fun it can be; they see it as black and white. I see it as a rainbow!
Q: How has the semester gone for you considering all of the changes?
A: My classes are all virtual so it’s been different. I’ve gone out to Eden Hall once or twice for the views and to help pack produce for the community food bank, so I haven’t been completely isolated. Being virtual is good and bad. I’m not driving nearly as much, so I’m not polluting as much. It’s exciting that there’s less car travel globally. I think that COVID has made us all realize that maybe we don’t need to go in to work or school every day. It’s tragic but it’d also a step in the direction of re-thinking our wasteful lifestyles.
Know a student that should be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Email us! We’re happy to hear your suggestions.