Isabelle Castillo '09

Research Fellow I
Environmental Monitoring and Assessments within the Stony Brook Watershed

My interest in water as a vital element in preserving our quality of life probably began subconsciously. It may have been the influence of the surroundings of my high school, which was located directly on the oceanfront. The sea became as much a part of my daily life as the sun or the air. Four years ago, as a member of my school’s debate team, I was involved in researching various threats to the marine ecosystem. My advocacies of water environments free of pollution, as well as the need for stewardship of our water resources, date from that time.  

I chose Mount Holyoke because of its small class sizes and strong academics. Once on campus, I felt empowered by the women around me and always wanted to strive to achieve more. Because of the opportunities I was given at Mount Holyoke, I was able to take my interest of water ecosystems and learn hands on about the non-point source impacts within Stony Brook Watershed.
After my first semester in Mount Holyoke, I began volunteering with Dr. Leszek Bledzki to analyze water data from the Stony Brook Watershed. The Center for the Environment Fellowship gave me the opportunity to take my interest for the Stony Brook Watershed and expand it to learn more about the larger watershed area and the non-point source impacts which it faces.  

As a Geography major, I am incorporating Geographic Information Technologies to map the watershed and use orthophotography (aerial photography) to analyze the surrounding areas and find possible areas of concern.  The community is an important aspect of the environment, and I am adding community surveying to my research in order to promote awareness and further attain how outdoor and household items are indirectly affecting the Stony Brook Watershed.

I want to further continue studying the effects of non-point source pollution within the watershed area, narrow areas of concern, and promote more community awareness of the Stony Brook Watershed both on campus and in the surrounding residential areas.