Journey to the Geosciences

A Q&A with Camila Van Der Maal

A sense of adventure brought undergraduate student Camila Van Der Maal to the Jackson School of Geosciences. Her decision didn’t disappoint. As a first-year undergraduate student, Van Der Maal found herself on a research expedition to the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Jackson School’s Assistant Director for Communications Monica Kortsha caught up with Van Der Maal about her path to the geosciences, getting involved with research and how fear can be a normal part of trying new things.

By Monica Kortsha

Q: Can you tell me more about your journey to the geosciences?

A: During the pandemic I was kind of iffy about going to college. My mom and I would watch these videos about boats to pass the time. There was this one woman who was on a boat by herself — she passed Antarctica — and I have this love for Antarctica. So, I started Googling “jobs to get to Antarctica.” And the first thing that came up was the UTIG (University of Texas Institute for Geophysics) page, and I clicked it. And that’s how I found the University of Texas and geology. I completely switched paths.

Q: Were you considering studying geosciences at all before that?

A: No. I always went the bio and chemistry route in school. I know in seventh grade they offered GeoForce to us, but I didn’t go because I was like, “Why do I want to study rocks?” I really should have done it, but I’m happy I found it my own way. I think this called to me way more than biology or chemistry. I’m really happy I picked this path.

Q: You first got involved with this research working with Professor Peter Flemings in the geomechanics and geofluids lab. Why did that lab interest you?

A: I just thought it was awesome that they’re doing both lab work and field work. You’re going physically out into the field and looking at a fault. But now you also know exactly what’s going on in the subsurface and how all these fluids are working underneath. Looking at how much the subsurface actually affects us — I thought that was awesome. And this research may seem like such a 180 from Antarctica but it’s not. They’re looking for methane in the Arctic, in the permafrost. It’s just connecting my dreams through different paths.

Q: How did you get involved with the offshore portion of the research?

A: That summer I was taking a physics class, but I felt like I wasn’t learning. Flemings had told me that I could be doing so much more over the summer with research. So, I went home and dropped the physics class. Then I emailed Flemings the next day and was like, “I’m free, if there’s a spot still in the lab.” I was OK with staying and doing research there. But then he just told me, “Well, we have a spot for you offshore!” And that’s how it started. I just sent him an email.

Q: Wow! That really shows the value of reaching out to people.

A: Yeah, both times it was just an email: to work there and then to go offshore.

Q: The mission took place about 150 miles offshore of Louisiana on an energy platform. What was it like being out there?

A: I was really scared to go out there at first. I was like, “Oh my god, I don’t have any friends out here.” I knew two people: Josh (the lab manager) and Flemings. That was it. For some reason my biggest fear was “Who am I going to eat lunch with?” But it was such a welcoming environment. Ethan (a scientist on the mission) told me that the scientists sit together in one spot, and the rig workers sit in another spot. I remember the first day I sat down with rig workers and ate dinner. Everyone was so welcoming.

Q: How do you think that experience affected you as a person and a scientist?

A: I think it motivated me. Now I’m like, “OK, this graduate class I’m taking is very scary.” But now that we’re looking at stuff like well logs, I’m like, “OK, I know this. I’ve seen this before.” It’s not as scary anymore. After being in that fast- paced environment, this feels like something I can manage.

Q: You mentioned feeling scared before going offshore, or when taking an advanced class. What have these kinds of experiences taught you about fear?

A: I guess it’s normal to be scared. But don’t let that deter you from future goals.

Q: What advice would you give to students who want to get involved with research but don’t feel like they would fit in, or don’t have enough experience?

A: Just to go for it. I think I took two geo classes before I went offshore. I had taken one or two math classes. I think you just have to give it your all and read. I think reading was the biggest part. Reading a scientific paper is so hard, but slowly you start to understand them. I think you just need to keep reading, keep yourself educated, keep talking with professors. As long as you put in your best effort, that’s the best you can do and you’ll get somewhere.