Heather Waters ’20

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Improving the Yield of Edible Flowers in Vertical Farming Systems

Certificate(s): Environmental Studies

I worked with the Princeton Vertical Farming Project to explore various aspects of vertical farming in an urban setting. More specifically, my project focused on determining the amounts of edible flowers that can be grown from different species, as well as determining the growing conditions needed to maximize this number. I grew plants from their seeds and observed them through several developmental phases. Through this experience, I gained a deeper knowledge of the complexities of plant biology and the feasibility of hydroponic vertical farming. I improved my skills in handling, analyzing and supporting living systems by altering environmental factors such as pH, electrical conductivity and CO2 levels in the system. I will continue to work on this project and with the Vertical Farming Project during my junior year, and I may take applications from this project with me as I begin to think about my senior thesis.



Internship Year

2018

Project Category

Water and Health

Organization(s)

Princeton Vertical Farming Project, Princeton University- Princeton, New Jersey

Mentor(s)

Paul Gauthier, Associate Research Scholar, Geosciences