- MEM Environment Concentration: Coastal and Marine Systems (CAMS)
- MEM Management Concentration:鈥疎nvironmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)
- Expected Graduation Date: May 2028
What factors were most important in your decision to choose the Nicholas School for your graduate studies? And, how will your time at the Nicholas School help you reach your career aspirations?
After graduating from undergrad, I wanted to gain some work experience before attending grad school, both to finance my degree and to be certain of my course of study. I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for two years with the National Parks of Boston, doing capacity building, coastal stewardship, and data management, among other responsibilities. Afterwards, I knew I wanted to continue on an environmental management career path. I was initially drawn to Duke because this was the only program I found that allowed students to pick both an environment and a management focus. I appreciated this because I have always excelled as an interdisciplinary learner and enjoy being able to combine multiple schools of thought. I want to focus on saltwater and freshwater wetland ecosystems as well as analytics and modeling, so dual concentrations really align with my long-term goals.
When I am a Nicholas School alumnus, I hope to obtain my Professional Wetland Scientist certification and specialize in coastal wetland restoration. Wetlands, salt marshes in particular, are the natural spaces where I feel the most comfortable. I hope to give back to my human and non-human communities by researching and restoring these critical habitats. This will make wetlands more enriching spaces for all creatures with enhanced recreational and educational opportunities. Crucially, wetland protection and restoration will increase carbon sequestration, a necessary step as the world tries to slow climate change and global warming. The majority of my career has revolved around climate resilience, which I am eager to pursue further during my time as a Nicholas Scholar. I am also passionate about ensuring that wetlands, if replaced, are replaced in kind with matching ecological functions, and I hope to bring more awareness to the importance of natural, intact wetlands. Because of this, I find myself straddling the TFE and CAMS concentrations, and look forward to interacting with professors, fellow students, and surrounding communities across these various ecosystems. I am also eager to hone my skills in analyzing the impacts wetlands have on their surroundings, through both quantitative and geospatial lenses.
Not only was I very excited about the opportunities and experiences I would gain as a Duke student, the financial draw of being a Nicholas Scholar was incredibly impactful. The Nicholas School has scholarship matching for the Segal Education Award I received as an AmeriCorps alum, which also put Duke on my radar. The financial support as a Nicholas Scholar combined with the MEM program opportunities as a CAMS student with the Marine Lab and an EAM student with the geospatial certificate cemented my choice to attend the Nicholas School!