Research at the WaTER Lab: Meet Jennifer and Marissa Cox
Date Posted: Dec 13, 2024
For two Bachelor of Science students at Cape Breton University, a shared passion for research and public health brought them together on a project with transformative potential. Jennifer, a Biology major, and Marissa Cox, a Chemistry major, are part of Dr. Shine Xu Zhang’s research team, working on innovative electrochemical methods to remove uranium from well water.
Growing up in the countryside of India, Jennifer wasn’t drawn to a big university in the city when considering her options for post-secondary studies. Instead, she sought a smaller university where she could connect more closely with her classmates and professors and enjoy the beauty of nature, which led her to CBU. When Jennifer took Dr. Zhang’s class in the winter of 2023, she was impressed and intrigued by the potential of one of his projects in nanotechnology. “From that day, I felt a curiosity to know more about his research and wanted to get involved,” she says.
Born and raised in Sydney Forks, Marissa has always wanted to stay rooted in the place she loves most. “I’ve been in and around CBU since I was a kid participating in STEM activities, so it felt like a natural fit in an academic sense,” she shares. Through many ups and downs, Marissa enjoys being surrounded by old and new friends while building a solid foundation for her future.
In the summer of 2024, Jennifer and Marissa secured internships at CBU’s Water Treatment and Environment Remediation Laboratory (WaTER Lab) through the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program. The research, supported by a $10,000 Anniversary Scholar Award as part of CBU’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, is led by Dr. Zhang in collaboration with Dr. Ken Oakes and a team of student researchers. It focuses on developing small-scale uranium monitoring and treatment technologies suitable for household use, especially in rural communities relying on private wells.
“Water contamination is a growing problem,” says Jennifer. “And many of these contaminants are undetectable by sight or taste.” It is worth noting that boiling water doesn’t remove heavy metals such as uranium, arsenic and lead.
“I think this project is interesting because of its direct real-world application and how it could help people know more about what’s in their water and thus help them stay healthy,” Marissa adds.
As interns, the pair collaborated with their lab partners to make up standard solutions, coat and test electrodes, interpret data from the trials, review necessary literature and present the results to the team in daily meetings. Beyond technical skills, Jennifer gained valuable experience in teamwork and communication. “I’m naturally introverted, so stepping up and taking the initiative was a big leap for me,” she says. “I tried to be as involved as possible, from researching and keeping up-to-date on the issues we were tackling, to making evidence-backed suggestions, which is essential in science. You can’t just share opinions without data to back them up.”
For Marissa, the experience has been rewarding. “Most notably, I greatly improved my analytical lab techniques and research abilities through this position,” she says. “This project aligned with my academic interests as a chemistry major. It gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve been learning and dive deeper into my area of study.”
Jennifer values the opportunity to work on research that has the potential to make a tangible difference in the community. “I love interdisciplinary research because it has such a wide scope and diversity of opinions and approaches,” she shares. “Since this project is about public water safety and accessibility, it aligns perfectly with my career goals and I hope to continue the work in the future.”
Beyond the science, both students appreciated being part of a supportive team. One of Jennifer’s favourite moments was when the Clean Foundation team came for a site inspection. “The lab is usually empty because it’s a big space downstairs with only three of us working there,” she says. “When I walked in, I saw about 10 to 13 people sitting inside, and it felt like a family gathering. Living on my own, I hadn’t felt that sense of warmth and connection in a while. It was such a happy and emotional moment for me.” Another highlight for Jennifer was the team BBQ at Dr. Oakes’ house. “He not only let us use his lab on those hot summer days but also invited us to a barbeque at his house.”
Jennifer and Marissa encourage students to pursue research opportunities with confidence and persistence. Jennifer recalls that not every outreach led to the response she had hoped for, but staying optimistic and seizing opportunities eventually brought her success. Marissa also suggests that her fellow students give it a try. “With CBU being a smaller university, the opportunity for a research position is so much higher here than at other universities,” she says. “And it can open so many doors for future jobs and networking with different people.” Both students are especially grateful to Dr. Zhang for the internship opportunity.
Jennifer and Marissa’s internships at the WaTER Lab highlight the powerful blend of mentorship, teamwork and innovation that drives meaningful research at Cape Breton University. As the research continues, their contributions to Dr. Zhang’s ongoing work embody the legacy of excellence and forward-thinking that has defined CBU for more than 50 years, paving the way for a healthier future and inspiring the next generation of researchers.