RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Russell Conti is an environmental science graduate student at Montana State University, specializing in freshwater ecology. An Oglala Sioux Tribe member originally from Rapid City, Conti chose this field as it allows him to combine his scientific knowledge with his Native American heritage.
Conti was recently named a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, a prestigious academic achievement coming with a significant scholarship. For each of Conti’s three years in MTSU’s graduate program, he’ll receive $37,000 and an additional $16,000 will go towards his research projects.
Conti’s research focuses on the impacts of urban development on freshwater nitrogen concentrations in mountainous regions.
“[We want to] make sure that we can provide clean, healthy drinking water to all the people in the communities that are at risk,” Conti said, referring to his research goals.
Though Conti’s graduate research will take place in Montana, he hopes to bring his findings to ecologically similar regions like the Black Hills once he graduates.
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