Fellowship Recipients

A few of my research interests include aquatic ecology, invasion ecology, and public health. I have a passion for understanding the relationship between human activities and biodiversity changes and hope to support ongoing discussions about this relationship. My thesis advisor, Dr. Reuben Keller, has contributed enormously to these discussions, specifically within invasion ecology. His research has produced important work, and I am honored to have him working with me as my mentor. Along with my advisor, SES has supported me throughout my undergraduate years with excellent courses, intriguing discussions with peers, and opportunities to challenge my thinking. The constant stream of support from SES attracted me to continue my education here at Loyola.

At SES, I am interested in understanding the role of marginalized communities in environmental management, and the impact of environmental degradation on women and children in both developing and developed countries.

Prior to joining SES, I worked in several community-based projects. I collaborated with childrens clubs, womens' groups, and stakeholders ranging from local representatives to higher-level governmental officials. This experience helped me understand the importance of the local community in solving environmental and social issues, which made me passionate to learn more about environmental management at the grassroot level. At SES, the research work of Professor Tania Schusler matches my interests and past experiences. Professor Schusler focuses on community education, participation, and stakeholder engagement in environmental management which helped me pair with her as my advisor.

A wide array of elective and core courses and generous financial aid attracted me to join SES. Additionally, the research conducted at SES will help me understand the scientific, social, political, and economic perspectives of the environment enabling me to meet my career goal of designing solutions to environmental problems through research and interventions at the grassroot level.

Thesis Advisor Gilbert Michaud

My research interest is the sustainable development of renewable energy in this country with a specialty in Utility-Scale Solar Energy. Currently, I am working on grant research from the US Department of Energy called “Mapping and Bridging Barriers in Knowledge Flows of How Solar Photovoltaics Affect Rural Community Economies.” I will be working on this research for the next two years and, right now, the first step is gathering the contact information of local officials, landowners, local media and interviewing them about their thoughts on solar farms in rural areas. Although I have not had a thesis topic yet, I do firmly believe that it will be in the field of sustainable development of solar farms in the Midwest.

My research advisor and I paired well because we have known each other for a long time. I met Dr. Michaud when I was still a senior in undergraduate school, and back then I have already had a strong interest in renewable energy development. In the past summer, I interned at Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council(SOPEC), which Dr. Michaud had worked with in the past. During my time with SOPEC, I gained knowledge about the energy aggregation program and community solar, and these are the necessary qualitative skills I will need for the grant research project.

What attracted me to the SES program is the utility-scale solar project, but I also hope to learn other skills during my two-year master's program. With a career goal of environmental consulting, I am currently taking courses to build my skills in sustainability assessment, GIS, and stakeholder mapping. SES program here not only allow me to do research on specific topics but also helped me become a well-rounded sustainability professional.