Benjamin Phillips

I have gained a wide range of experience through my combined 7 years of graduate and undergraduate studies in environmental science at Ohio State University, which will culminate in multiple original scientific papers upon my anticipated graduation this May. As I reach the end of my formal educational journey, I am seeking a job where I can continue to develop my skills in project leadership, data analysis, and technical writing while having a positive impact on the environment. Due to the broad nature of environmental science, I do not have a specific area or profession of interest; I simply want a role where I can make meaningful, positive differences in my community.

Strategic Mowing and Nutrient Dynamics in Roadway Stormwater

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

September 2023 to May 2026

• Designed and conducted field-scale stormwater monitoring studies to evaluate the effects of roadside mowing treatments on water quality
• Selected study sites and installed hydrologic and water-quality monitoring equipment in highway roadside ditches
• Collected stormwater samples during storm events along with soil and vegetation samples throughout the duration of the project
• Performed statistical and spatial data analysis using R and ArcGIS Pro
• Led preparation and writing of final technical reports for transportation stakeholders

Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Vegetated and Unvegetated Roadside Ditches

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

January 2023 to December 2024

• Evaluated nutrient transport, storage, and processing in roadside drainage systems at the watershed scale using spatial data
• Developed experimental design and oversaw field instrumentation and sampling
• Analyzed hydrologic and water-quality data to assess impacts on downstream nutrient loading
• Contributed to technical reporting for state transportation agencies

Effectiveness of Conservation Channel Designs for Phosphorus Mitigation

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

September 2022 to December 2024

• Monitored agricultural drainage ditches before and after conservation channel construction
• Assessed phosphorus reduction during storm events using field data and statistical analysis
• Evaluated performance of alternative channel designs for nutrient mitigation

Undergraduate Researcher

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

February 2022 to May 2023

• Researched the impact of El Niño Southern Oscillation on precipitation patterns in the midwestern United States
• Used R-Studio to create a script that analyzed relevant meteorological data and created regression models based on the data
• Consulted with Dr. James Stagge on a weekly basis to evaluate research progress and further aims

Student Research Assistant

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

September 2021 to December 2022

• Processed and managed genomic datasets for downstream analysis
• Maintained pennycress and wine grape cultivars for laboratory research
• Assisted with experiments evaluating Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) feeding preferences across grape cultivars

Pathways Intern

U.S. Forest Service • Delaware, OH

May 2021 to August 2022

• Propagated and maintained over 7,000 American elm (Ulmus americana) cuttings under sterile conditions
• Conducted experiments related to Dutch elm disease resistance
• Collected field data on ash saplings across multiple sites in central Ohio

Master of Science in Environmental Science

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

August 2023 to Present

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (Water Science Specialization)

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

August 2019 to May 2023

Minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)