Heidi Landis, a junior from New Waterford, Ohio, is majoring in geology and chemistry. She spent the summer at Northern Arizona University’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). During the eight-week session, Heidi “applied Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating to the lava flow of Strawberry Crater volcano in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona.”
“When quartz minerals are buried, the natural radiation around them causes them to slowly gain energy due to the movement of electrons in to higher-energy ‘traps.’ When exposed to light, heat, or certain radiation, the electrons are released from the traps along with energy that can be read as luminescence. The luminescence signal increases with the amount of time the sample was buried, so the amount of time since the burial of the grain can be calculated,” she explains further.
On campus, Heidi is involved in many clubs and organizations, including Cru and the Lighthouse, two Christian life organizations; Circle K, a volunteer organization; academic groups, including American Chemical Society, Geology Club, and ODK; and World Vision and the Muskingum Anime Group. She also attends Zumba and Kelley Coffeehouse, and works in the Student Success Center as a tutor.
Heidi found Muskingum through an online college search and, upon visiting campus, liked the size of the school. She is thankful for “the great community of students and professors; there is always someone to go to for help or advice.”