METER Group Inc, makers of precision scientific instrumentation and software solutions for environmental science, agricultural and geotechnical applications is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Grant A. Harris Fellowship.
METER chose six outstanding proposals, along with four honorable mentions, from the submissions we received. Each recipient will receive $10,000 in METER instrumentation to further their innovative graduate-level work.
Cheyenne Collins: University of Kentucky (Forensic Anthropology)—awarded TEROS 12 soil moisture sensors, an ATMOS 41 all-in-one weather station, ZL6 cellular data loggers, and subscriptions to ZENTRA Cloud. Collins is evaluating multiple geophysical technologies in the detection of simulated clandestine graves over time. In her proposal she writes:
This multidisciplinary project evaluates which geophysical tools, or combination, most reliably detect simulated graves in clay-rich soils over time. Although ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is widely used for grave detection, its effectiveness is often limited in high moisture clay environments, necessitating assessment of alternative or complementary methods such as fixed-probe resistivity (FPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). This project involves geophysical monitoring of 14 simulated graves over 12-months using GPR, FPR, and ERT. Experimental graves will contain hog (Sus scrofa) carcasses serving as proxies for human remains. Variables that will be evaluated include grave depth, body size, tarpaulin wrapping, seasonality, soil moisture, and GPR antenna frequency. Findings from this project will significantly enhance forensic detection of clandestine burials and refine archaeological methods for grave identification across extended timescales.
Learn more about Collins and her previous work on:
You can view the rest of the winners at: https://metergroup.com/corporate-news/meter-group-inc-announces-2026-grant-a-harris-fellowship-winners/