A team of undergraduate students at Mason Korea has co-authored a peer-reviewed article in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, an SCIE-indexed international journal. The study, titled “Accessible water quality monitoring through hybrid human–machine colorimetric methods,” stems from a Mason Impact project focused on environmental conditions in the Seunggi-cheon stream in Incheon.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Soyoung Kwon, Associate Dean of External Affairs and Professor of Global Affairs, and Dr. Dakota McCarty, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, students collected and analyzed water samples, tested an innovative low-cost method for monitoring water quality, and contributed new insights to the field. Their approach combined colorimetric testing with human-guided digital analysis, producing data that closely aligned with laboratory results.
The project gave students valuable, hands-on experience in all stages of academic research—from fieldwork and data analysis to writing and publication. It introduced them to the world of scientific inquiry and academic publishing, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and credentials to pursue future research and graduate study.
“I’m incredibly proud of the students. Moving from a local project to a peer-reviewed international publication is a rare achievement at the undergraduate level,” said McCarty. “It not only gives students a glimpse into real research but also strengthens their academic profiles for graduate school and beyond.”
“Working with Dr. McCarty and the other CSPS Fellows gave me new insight into environmental security concerns like access to clean drinking water,” said Sam Sims, a junior Global Affairs major. “Now it's an important part of how I think about security as a whole.”
“This paper highlights the power of collaborative inquiry and the real social impact of student research," said Kwon. "Mentoring these emerging scholars was incredibly rewarding, and I hope it inspires future student-led projects.”
May 21, 2025