Max VanArnam

Name and pronouns:
Max VanArnam (he/him)

Senior thesis title and brief description:
Characterizing Trends in Bed Sediment in Distributaries of the Ayeyarwady River Delta, Myanmar. I processed field bed sediment samples from the 3rd largest river delta in the world and displayed their data in MATLAB and ArcGIS. My research goals are to determine where and why sediment is deposited in this dynamic river delta. As I am an Earth and Space Sciences major with an Oceanography minor, I technically did not submit a formal thesis. However, I spent my senior year working with Andrea Ogston and Hannah Glover in the Oceanography department on this independent undergraduate research project.

What was your best memory from the school of Oceanography?
Working with Miles Logsdon and Robert Levine in the Ocean Technology Center. They taught me everything I know about circuits, soldering and how to use PVC to build just about anything.

What was your favorite oceanography class and why?
OCEAN 361 - Ocean Technology. This class explores a new side of education, the hands on creative approach. Here I was able to apply my academic knowledge to building my own ocean sensor, all whilst having a great time. Miles Logsdon, the instructor, provides gold-standard mentorship and helped me through many of my academic and career-related challenges.

What has been your go to way to connect to your classmates remotely?
My classmates and I have stayed connected through text messaging, phone calls and privately chatting in Zoom during online lectures.

Favorite non-ocean body of water?
The Hubbard Glacier in Alaska. It's frozen but it's water, I've always wanted to see it in person.