Sevan Sinton
Associate News Editor
Mariana Ladrilleros is a history and archeology major at Millersville who recently completed a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program over the summer.
Ladrilleros, a senior, took part in the NSF-REU program, titled “Mapping Freedom,” which “… will help REU students develop a deeper understanding of historical change over time, and demonstrate how similar computer-based methods can be applied to analyze and visualize complex periods of history,” per the program’s website.
Mapping Freedom’s goal is to inspire undergraduate students interested in various subjects, such as archaeology, to continue careers in hands-on research or STEM fields.
“[Mapping Freedom] hopes to increase students’ familiarity with geography, digital humanities, and computer science topics and research,” per their website.
Ladrilleros’ presentation, which took place at the Millersville University Council of Trustees meeting on Sept. 18, was centered on Mississippi Civil War hospitals, their ration requests, hospital location, and the comparison to areas where railroads had been damaged. Ladrilleros spent time at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she concluded from analyzing ration request letters that the most requested rations from Mississippi Civil War hospitals were rice and sugar – other rations included salt, coffee, and beef.