Get to know Quinn
Please describe the UPP-funded or affiliated project(s) you are currently working on or have worked on in the past?
I am working on a project titled "Developing Tools and Workflows for Acoustic Unattended Monitoring of River Bedload." The goal is to create acoustic signal processing techniques and physical hardware to enhance the detection of bedload transport in rivers.
Who are your USGS supervisor and PSU advisor?
David Burnett (PSU) and James White (USGS). David and James were recipients of the UPP Seed Grant in 2022.
What are your primary responsibilities/roles of your research position?
I am responsible for the primary research roles. I read the current literature in the field as well as writing our own draft publications. I also develop and test code for processing our vast amount of audio data.
What skills have you gained from your research experience?
Through this project, I’ve honed my ability to read and understand academic papers. I’ve also gained a strong foundation in audio signal processing and machine learning techniques. Over the next few terms, I anticipate acquiring more hands-on experience with hardware development.
What aspects of your project have you enjoyed the most?
I’ve particularly enjoyed learning about the diverse methods for processing audio data. The field of underwater acoustics for detecting bedload transport strikes a balance—it has enough existing research to provide a solid foundation, but not so much that it feels overwhelming. It’s exciting to discover papers introducing novel approaches to analyzing similar data.
What have you learned or hope to learn from this experience?
This experience has taught me a lot about time management and navigating the demands of an open-ended research project. It’s been both challenging and rewarding to take ownership of my work and balance it with academic and other responsibilities.
What are your academic and/or career aspirations after graduation?
After graduation, I aim to pursue a full-time role in hardware, embedded systems, or cybersecurity. I’m exploring opportunities in both industry and federal government sectors.
What's your favorite way to use or interact with water?
I've always been a swimmer, so complete immersion is my favorite way to interact with water. I also love anything to do with the ocean.