From Amherst to Copenhagen: Brahm VanAntwerp `23

Content

Brahm VanAntwerp, a 2023 graduate from Commonwealth Honors College, studied both environmental science and natural resources conservation. VanAntwerp explained that his passion for protecting and preserving the natural environment came from his background as an Eagle Scout and was furthered by his studies within the Honors College. 

He embarked on his Honors College journey just as COVID unfolded. Despite the hurdles, VanAntwerp noted that engaging in the smaller Zoom classes proved far more enriching than attending the larger online lectures. While the beginning of his Honors experience was during the pandemic, VanAntwerp was grateful that when restrictions were lifted he was able to dive deeper into his academic passions. During his junior and senior year, he focused on taking chemistry and GIS mapping classes, and eventually began focusing on his Honors Thesis Requirements. 

Brahm alongside peers and faculty sponsor, Professor Kelly Klingler

VanAntwerp decided that he wanted to do an independent research project alongside faculty member Kelly Klingler. His thesis involved working with UMass wildlife camera traps that were set up throughout campus. VanAntwerp, along with the help of Klingler and fellow faculty member Forrest Bowlick, studied temporal and spatial variation of the wildlife in the four corridors that were monitored, those being Lawrence Swamp, University Drive, Amethyst Brook and Mill River/Puffers Pond.  

VanAntwerp also credited much of his success to the Honors College supporting and encouraging summer internships and jobs that allowed him to hone in on his interests. 

One summer, he worked with the United States Army Corps Engineers as a Park Ranger and said that it was a very rewarding experience. Following that summer, VanAntwerp worked with a civil environmental engineering company, where he would test wastewater in the Boston area. 

Life after UMass

As graduation approached, VanAntwerp began thinking about what he wanted to pursue during his post-graduate career. With the help of his mentors, he decided to apply for scholarships that would allow him to obtain his master’s degree abroad. Brahm knew he wanted to apply to the University of Copenhagen in Denmark because as a child he lived in the region with his family. The specialization the University of Copenhagen offered was especially appealing to him, as it focused largely on toxicology — which he found himself to be very interested in as he went further into his undergraduate studies. 

“I took toxicology as one of the final courses for my senior year, and I really liked that course. It was super interesting to me,” he said.

Currently, VanAntwerp is in the master of science in environmental science program with a concentration in chemistry, toxicology and health. His passion for this subject area clearly started at a young age, as he spent a lot of time hiking and being outdoors. As he worked his way through college, he discovered his love for chemistry and its applications to preserving the environment. 

“It's something that I'm pretty passionate about and I feel good about the stuff I'm learning about, and the type of jobs that I'd be doing in the future,” he said. 

Aside from his academic pursuits, VanAntwerp spoke about how moving abroad helped him improve his confidence and ability to do things independently. While he was initially intimidated by the move to Copenhagen, over time he found his place and a true sense of independence. 

“Going through all these processes I think is really, really good for just learning how to navigate complex situations and it makes the future less daunting because you've already navigated this impossible process of moving somewhere and starting a program and now you're meeting new friends, you're taking care of yourself and suddenly looking for a job or interviewing doesn't seem so intimidating when you've done all this.” 

VanAntwerp also shared some words of wisdom for current students interested in pursuing a career in a similar field. He noted that experimenting with all of the different areas of environmental science, such as chemistry and biology, is a great way to discover what you are passionate about. He also shared how important it was for him to test out the different fields by completing different internships. 

“Definitely explore all the different options that you can take for the career, trying different things, maybe challenging yourself a bit with some of the different courses you can take if it feels too easy and if it's too hard, don't hurt yourself.” 

Reflecting on his time at UMass Amherst

VanAntwerp spoke fondly of his two mentors, Kelly Klingler and Forrest Bowlick, who guided him through his Thesis project. He thanked them for their commitment to his project and always being willing to help whenever he needed. 

“She [Kelly] was just a super great supervisor and very knowledgeable and very competent and very supportive. I could not have wished for a better principal supervisor.” 

He also shared that Bowlick was always ready to assist him at the drop of a hat, no matter how busy he was. 

“That gives you an idea of what kind of a professor he was just to meet with me whenever I needed,” VanAntwerp explained. 

VanAntwerp’s journey through the Honors College stands as testament to the value of being passionate about your studies and having an academic support system. He honed his passion for environmental science through his undergraduate studies and internship experience — culminating in his pursuit of a master’s degree abroad. By embracing all of the opportunities offered to him throughout his undergraduate experience, he has not only found success but fulfillment as well.