April Sanders

Student Ambassador

Hometown: Findlay, Ohio
Class: 2026
Majors: Geology, Geography and Sustainable Development, Environmental Science
Certificate: Geographic Information Science

Research done at Miami University:

Undergraduate research with Dr. Mark Krekeler and PhD Candidate Morgan Gillis in the Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science. I am studying lead (Pb) pollution on a single property in Hamilton, Ohio with a focus on road sediment and soil. I started in November of 2023. I participated in Undergraduate Summer Scholars with the Western Center Social Impact and Justice Fellowship and will be a part of Doctoral Undergraduate Opportunity Scholarship next semester. With my research,

I was able to present at the Undergraduate Research Forum last April, the Geoscience Research Symposium last April, the Southeastern Section of the Geological Society of America conference in Asheville, North Carolina, and I was most recently selected for a scholarship that fully funded my travels and presentation at the national Geological Society of America conference in Anaheim, California in September. I am currently working on a manuscript to submit to a journal soon.

Study abroad or away experiences while at Miami University:

Not yet, I am a part of Career Academy - Luxembourg for spring break 2025. This summer I will participate in a study away in Montana for my senior capstone in Geology.

Other achievements at Miami University:

• Selected as the Undergraduate Representative of the Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science
• Vice president of Miami University Geological Society
• Alumni of the Scholar leader program
• Prodesse Scholar and Bridges Scholar
• Undergraduate teaching assistant for mineralogy
• I have had the opportunity to work as a MADE at Miami Peer Leader during my second year at Miami.
• During my second and third year, I served as an ambassador for Bridges.
• This last summer I was able to be a counselor for the high school Summer Scholar program.
• Currently, I am a Peer Career Coach for the Center for Career Exploration and Success.

Interests and Hobbies:

Outside of school, I love to cook and do arts and crafts! I make dinner for my roommates every night and like to make new things. I like to paint, draw, and crochet. I love trying new things as well. I play intramural volleyball.