Megan Radosevich is a senior undergraduate student at Carroll College in Montana, USA, studying biology and philosophy. The past year she has been performing research in the lab of Dr. Ashley Beck, focusing on nanopore sequencing applied to a variety of environmental systems, including rivers, lakes, and wastewater. Her future goals are to complete a Doctor of Osteopathy program and pursue a career in medicine.

The Upper Clark Fork River (UCFR), Montana, USA, is part of the largest EPA Superfund site and is of great interest due to contamination from mine tailings and agricultural nutrient enrichment. Microbial communities critically affect nutrient cycling, higher trophic levels, and overall ecosystem health. This study collected sediment samples at various locations along the UCFR during different seasons and characterized 16S composition using Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. Analysis of the microbial community composition data investigates regional and seasonal variation and explores the role of algal blooms cycling along the river.