APSU Geoscience Student headed to Iowa this summer for coveted National Science Foundation program

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN – Josh Day, an Austin Peay State University geosciences student, was determined to get an internship this summer.

Throughout the year, he sent off dozens of applications, hoping to find something that would strengthen his knowledge and skills in the area of geographic information systems.

Then earlier this month, Day received a bit of good news. He was one of only a handful of college students nationwide chosen to participate in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program in hyperspectral imaging. That means he’ll be spending the summer working with satellites to develop three-dimensional images of different terrains on earth.

“I filled out so many applications, I didn’t realize when I got it which one it was,” Day said. “It’s awesome because it puts me in the forefront. I don’t like to be on the bench, so to speak. It gets me in the game and let’s me play with current, updated technology that a lot of people have no idea about.”

Day will leave on May 20th for the University of Northern Iowa, where he’ll spend eight weeks working under top researchers in this field. He’ll receive a stipend, as well as a room and a meal contract for his stay on campus.

“Josh is yet another example of the high caliber students we have here at APSU,” Dr. Christopher Gentry, APSU associate professor of geosciences and director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, said. “He has worked very hard for this opportunity.”

April turned out to be a good month for Day. As a member of the APSU cheerleading squad, he helped his team finish fifth in the National Cheerleaders Association Division I championships, held earlier this month in Daytona Beach, FL.

For more information on Day or the REU program, contact Gentry at gentryc@apsu.edu.