After the travel and activity of August, September was a relatively quiet month. I began writing the results section based on the data I have been analyzing most of the winter and sent a rough draft to a few fellow Fulbrighters for feedback. In addition to drafting the results, I translated the introduction and methods sections written by my friend and lab partner Lorena. I have learned quite a bit about statistics through this process, and, although it has been frustrating, I believe it will serve me going forward.
I am revising a paper my host professor and other colleagues wrote regarding the application of remote sensing products for livestock management in the region. It was conditionally accepted, but the corrections need to be submitted by October 10 in order to be considered for publication.

Now that spring has arrived, and greenhouse space has become available, Lorena and I will start a mini experiment looking at the effect of salmon sludge (yummy) on plant growth. There have been several theses and a few papers published on the subject, but nothing in the area. This will also be coupled with a field trial in which varying rates of sludge will be applied to plots of native prairie. The hope is that salmoneras in the region might be able to use a waste product as a soil amendment.

Revising papers, both for my host professor and another Chilean friend, allows me to use some of my editing skills to help others communicate their scientific findings.
As for other activities, in addition to statistics, caring for plants (or the lack of care perhaps) could be associated with this past month. The plants we seeded in March spent the past four and a half months growing in tiny containers. With the lack of daylight hours in June and July, and the lack of an adequate growth chamber, it is not surprising that they grew very little. Additionally, we started to notice aphids and other small insects in some trays at the beginning of the month. We applied an insect spray in hopes of solving the problem. Then, the university closed for the entire week of Fiestas Patrias, so no one could enter to water. The plants were in rough shape when we came back to work the following Monday but have since recovered.