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Mya Hardee is a graduate student conducting research for her Master’s thesis under the guidance of her UNT advisors, Dr. Jim Junker and Dr. Juliana D'Andrilli. Her project investigates nutrient and carbon processing patterns in freshwater streams and analyzes the differences in urban and non-urban watersheds. 

“DFW is a rapidly urbanizing region, so this research can provide insight into how urbanization will affect the essential ecosystem services of nutrient and organic carbon transportation and transformation provided by freshwater streams,” said Mya. "Having lived in the area for most of my life, UNT was always on my radar for grad school, but when I found out about the environmental science program and Advanced Environmental Research Institute here, it was an easy choice.” 

Mya was recently one of only two UNT students (alongside fellow biology graduate student Victoria Vo) to receive an honorable mention for the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). 

“I was honored that my work was deemed to be of high quality by the reviewers, especially considering the thousands of students who submit proposals across many scientific disciplines,” said Mya. “It also reflects the invaluable assistance of the grant writing assistants and my research advisors during my first official proposal process.” 

Mya’s time as an undergraduate research assistant at Rhodes College, where she double majored in environmental science and Chinese studies, sparked her interest in pursuing the research for her Master’s degree. 

“I worked with a biology professor who allowed me to conduct field work and sample processing for research on fatty acid ecosystem transfer and leaf decomposition in streams,” she said. “Having this opportunity fostered my passion for water research and environmental science work at the nexus of biology and chemistry.” 

Since coming to UNT in 2025, Mya said her advisors Dr. Junker and Dr. D’Andrilli have been instrumental in enhancing her lab and field skills.  

“They have provided valuable guidance for the trajectory of my research,” she said. “In the coming year, I am very excited to start processing my samples in the lab. I love data, so to me it's a very rewarding process!”