Andres F. Ospina Parra

I'm a Colombian-American research assistant at Rutgers University. My current research investigates soil bacterial respiration processes using geophysical tools such as NMR and SIP to detect their signals. I hold a B.A. degree in Earth Science from Kean University and was awarded the PRELS fellowship from the LSAMP program in 2022. My research spanned diverse fields, including using geospatial analytics to determine how urban environmental spaces affect mental health and studying the impact of soil amendments and plantation techniques on urban forest development. Before joining Rutgers, I worked for three years as a lead geoscientist for a geotechnical laboratory with an emphasis on geochemical and soil stress tests. 

In the GEMS program, I am eager to teach and focus on developing techniques that improve the assessment of contaminated and urban soil, aiming to restore plant life in urban settings. I thrive on challenges and enjoy helping others succeed. As part of GEMS, I look forward to functioning both as a mentor and mentee, advancing the development of geosciences and fostering environmental resilience in urban areas.