Published October 25, 2024
CAPTION: ULM Honors Program students pictured L-R: Anjan Mandal, Abhishek Amgain, and Subash Sapkota
MONROE, LA – In the summer of 2024, three ULM Honors Program students participated in internships
and research projects that helped prepare them for future careers with valuable hands-on
experience.
Subash Sapkota, a biology major and member of the ULM Honors Program, participated
in a project at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC)
as a Track 2 student. Here, he led an independent study on using remote sensing technology
to assess biodiversity in a forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Sapkota used hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to reach his goal of determining how spectral
data could help predict different aspects of biodiversity, such as species diversity,
evolutionary relationships, along with how different species function in the ecosystem.
This study took place at the UNDERC forest plot, where Sapkota and his team engaged
in computational work and fieldwork. The computational work consisted of data acquisition
and processing, Sapkota utilized the hyperspectral data that was provided to him by
the National Ecological Observatory Network Airborne Observation Platform to analyze
the light reflected from the forest canopy so he could relate spectral signature to
biodiversity measures.
“By combining that data with traditional biodiversity measures, we aimed to improve
our understanding of the forest’s biodiversity,” Sapkota said. “For this, I used the
statistical software R, adapting methods from previous studies to fit the needs of
our project.”
In the field, Sapkota and his team collected data on tree species with diameters over
10 cm, and later processed the data for taxonomic and phylogenetic biodiversity calculations.
His team also collected leaf samples to analyze the functional diversity traits. This
data allowed Sapkota to compare the effectiveness of remote sensing methods with traditional
biodiversity measures.
The results of Sapkota’s experiment showed an overall positive relationship between
the spectral data and other various biodiversity measures. This suggests that remote
sensing could be a very valuable tool for larger-scale biodiversity assessments in
the future, affirming conservation practices and policy decisions.
“Overall, the internship provided hands-on experience in remote sensing, data analysis,
and studying biodiversity,” Sapkota stated. “It also highlighted the potential of
using technology for more efficient biodiversity monitoring. Although, further improvements
are needed to better predict certain aspects, such as evolutionary and functional
diversity.”
Sapkota is grateful to his summer mentor, Logan Monks, for guiding him and his team
through the technical aspects of the study, and to Dr. Nathan Swenson for providing
him with the opportunity to be part of such an exciting project. He gives a special
thanks to Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee for being a source of continuous encouragement
during this program, and for helping guide him towards making the most out of every
opportunity.
Two Honors Program Computer Science majors, Abhishek Amgain and Anjan Mandal, completed
internships with valuable hands-on experience in software development and programming.
Amgain spent his summer as a web developer intern with the Louisiana Department of
Economic Development (LED) grant team. During his internship, he worked on two projects
that greatly enhanced his technical and project management abilities. One of the projects
involved developing a mobile application for a local business, Wash-And-Go Laundry.
Utilizing technologies like React Native, Firebase, and CSS, Amgain improved his programming
skills and learned the importance of building user-friendly, efficient interfaces
to meet client needs.
The second project focused on creating a static website for a bar business named "Parlor
5." This task required Amgain to understand and translate the client's requirements
into a functional and appealing web design. He managed the website using content management
systems (CMS) such as Wix and GoDaddy, which gave him insight into the administrative
aspects of web development, including domain management and web hosting.
Amgain's internship provided him with a solid foundation for future web and app development
roles, especially when managing multiple projects. "Balancing two projects with different
scopes taught me effective time management, prioritization, and client communication
to ensure projects were delivered on time and met expectations," Amgain said. "This
summer break was incredibly productive and valuable for me."
Mandal's internship experience was also enriching. He interned with SquarePlanIT,
which allowed him to explore various facets of software development, from maintaining
existing software to designing, testing, coding, and debugging new applications. This
opportunity helped him bridge the gap between his theoretical studies and real-world
applications.
Mandal worked extensively with programming languages like ASP.NET, PHP, and VB.NET,
mastering new skills quickly to address client needs. He recalled an experience in
which he had to learn an entirely new programming language to solve a client's urgent
problem within a few days.
"This experience not only enhanced my technical skills but also taught me the importance
of adaptability and continuous learning in software development," Mandal said.
In addition to honing his technical abilities, Mandal developed several skills, such
as project management, problem-solving, and technical writing. He was responsible
for creating and maintaining documentation for software applications, which required
clear communication and the ability to convey complex information to technical and
non-technical audiences.
Reflecting on his experience, Mandal said, "The internship allowed me to apply classroom
concepts to real-world scenarios and underscored the importance of staying up to date
with new technologies and adapting quickly to meet the demands of any situation."
Both Amgain and Mandal attribute their successful internship experiences to the strong
foundation provided by their studies at ULM in both the Honors Program and computer
science program. This foundation prepared them to tackle the challenges of their respective
roles and develop into well-rounded young professionals.
“The core values of the Honors Program – all of our academic programs – are critical
thinking, problem-solving, professional development, collaboration, and academics,”
said Dr. Joshua Stockley, Director of the ULM Honors Program. “Consequently, honors
students are well-prepared for competitive internship opportunities. By fostering
a culture of excellence and curiosity, we collectively help students build the confidence
and expertise needed to thrive in real-world professional environments,” continued
Stockley.
About the ULM Honors Program
The ULM Honors Program is a unique program within ULM that seeks intellectually curious
students who desire to challenge themselves with new ideas and to work with similarly
motivated students. The program is open to all majors and works within all degree
programs. Honors students are exposed to more in-depth topics and work closely with
faculty in smaller courses.
For more information about the Honors Program, contact Dr. Joshua Stockley at stockley@ulm.edu or 318-342-3216 or visit www.ulm.edu/honors.
