Suravi Dhar: Unique Ecosystems From Texas to Tennessee Interning with Oak Ridge National Laboratory

August 2026

By Sarah McCord

Suravi Dhar spent her NextGen NRCS Pros Program internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the United States Department of Energy’s largest science and energy laboratory. Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the laboratory delivers scientific discoveries and dynamic breakthroughs ranging in scientific areas including Biology & Environment, Energy Science, Fusion & Fission, Isotopes, Physical Sciences, National Security, Neutron Science, and Supercomputing.

As an intern in the Environmental Sciences division this summer, Suravi's work centered around a long-term peatland decomposition project. Primarily, Suravi was responsible for comparing 10-year samples from the study with previous years’ findings. This included closely assessing decomposed plant matter, including items not found in the starting sample such as roots, fungus, etc., and completing elemental analyses for collected samples. Suravi gained insights into operations at the national laboratory level, attending meetings, discussing prospective projects, papers, and more.

Suravi noted that the introduction to, and exploration at, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has given her a unique understanding, where she gained both laboratory and field skills. Her internship also offered a variety of highly skilled connections who afforded positive career and communications advice. Suravi said, “This has given me experiences I would not have encountered working in Texas…[and] has strengthened my interest in environmental sciences…allow[ing] me to be able to study a new type of ecosystem.”

Suravi discussed several highlights of her internship, including touring Oak Ridge National Laboratory facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source, High-Flux Isotope Reactor, and the Supercomputer. “It showed me the diversity of science happening at the lab, and the history that these facilities have been involved in,” shared Suravi. Additionally, she enjoyed hiking and exploring the Tennessee mountains while building trusted friendships and deciding on prospective graduate school programs. NextGen NRCS Pros internship programs continue to support students, such as Suravi, in advancing discoveries within agricultural, natural resources, and the broader ecosystem.