PHD Candidate

• Sep 2019 - Present

Graduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2017 - Present

Assisting with proposal writing and a variety of projects related to quality regional growth. Select projects:  Megaregions Research: Assist with FHWA and APA contracts for implementing megaregion projects.  Puerto Rico Disaster Planning and Mitigation Studio, Spring 2019: Won $15,000 award through the APA Disaster Grant to support a joint studio with the University of Puerto Rico, obtained letters of collaboration, conceptualized studio focus, and managed logistics.  Evaluation of the Transportation Investment Act (TIA): Proactively assumed management role for this GDOT project, including managing a socio-economic study, a mail survey to 1300 recipients, and phone interviews.  Rural Transit Systems in Georgia (Client: GDOT): Conducted a literature review for a proposal focused on best practices for improving rural transit systems in Georgia. Show less

Planning Analyst

• Mar 2015 - Jun 2017

Assisted with numerous projects for multiple clients, with a focus on transportation planning, climate change adaptation planning, coastal land-use management, and natural resources preservation. Served a critical role in the following select projects: • Integration of strategies for Land Use Plan- PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PR-DNER) • Management Plan: Northeast Reserves, PR • Community Pilot Plan for Climate Change Adaptation: Island-Municipality of Culebra, PR • Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan for PR-DNER • Comprehensive Transportation Plan -Municipality of Aguadilla, PR • Proposal for the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for PR-DOT • TIGER Discretionary Grants Application for the Municipality of Cayey, PR • Development of a Coral Reef Unit for PRDNER. • National Priorities Section: PR Forest Action Plan (PR-DNER) • Urban Farming Study in San Juan for the Universidad Metropolitana, Center for Sustainable Development Show less

Urban Planning and Community Outreach Manager

• Oct 2014 - May 2017

Core member of the MBPR startup, with varied roles including company development, station siting and design, system-wide planning and phasing, QGIS mapping, competitive proposal writing, engagement with municipal, state, and private entities, market studies, provider research, negotiations with sponsors and investors, community events and outreach, and financing. Core member of the MBPR startup, with varied roles including company development, station siting and design, system-wide planning and phasing, QGIS mapping, competitive proposal writing, engagement with municipal, state, and private entities, market studies, provider research, negotiations with sponsors and investors, community events and outreach, and financing.

Eco-Tour Guide

• Sep 2012 - May 2014

Managed scheduling, hiring, logistics, marketing, sales, social media, and business development strategies for the eco-tour section of Black Beard Sports. Helped the business grow and succeed by resolving inefficiencies, managing relations, and increasing sales. Managed scheduling, hiring, logistics, marketing, sales, social media, and business development strategies for the eco-tour section of Black Beard Sports. Helped the business grow and succeed by resolving inefficiencies, managing relations, and increasing sales.

Volunteer

• Oct 2012 - Mar 2014

Assisted with a USGS project to monitor water quality at the Bioluminescent Bay. Assisted with the Wellesley intern program, MANTA camp, beach cleanups, and forums on conservation. Assisted with a USGS project to monitor water quality at the Bioluminescent Bay. Assisted with the Wellesley intern program, MANTA camp, beach cleanups, and forums on conservation.

Research Assistant

• Sep 2011 - May 2012

Collected, analyzed, and quality checked data for the annual Broad Prize which recognizes large, urban school districts that improve overall student performance while reducing achievement gaps for low-income and minority students. Collected, analyzed, and quality checked data for the annual Broad Prize which recognizes large, urban school districts that improve overall student performance while reducing achievement gaps for low-income and minority students.

Student Researcher--GIS Project

• Jan 2011 - May 2011

Explored Middletown’s open spaces and presented management report to the city’s environmental planners. Used GPS to map out paths and document negative human impacts such as pollution, encroaching private property, and RTV tracts. Developed new shapefiles and maps in ArcGIS that were added to the city’s database.

Student Researcher--Thesis

• Sep 2010 - May 2011

Thesis: Cultural Policy and Economic Development: Empirical and Political Complexities of Relating Arts to Growth in CitiesConducted extensive literature review and designed empirical model by expanding from previous studies. Gathered large amounts of data on 50 American cities from online sources, creating data spreadsheets in Excel. Used STATA to run multivariate regression analysis and search for trends and outliers, generating graphics for presentation.

Intern--Cultural Investments Portfolio

• May 2010 - Aug 2010

Functioned as liaison between the Cultural Investment Portfolio and cultural organizations in the region. Coordinated summer site visit program with cultural organizations, organizing schedules, transit, and materials. Attended site visits and participated in discussions with board members, staff, and stakeholders. Reviewed budgets, analyzed financial health of organizations, and discussed allocation of state funding. Functioned as liaison between the Cultural Investment Portfolio and cultural organizations in the region. Coordinated summer site visit program with cultural organizations, organizing schedules, transit, and materials. Attended site visits and participated in discussions with board members, staff, and stakeholders. Reviewed budgets, analyzed financial health of organizations, and discussed allocation of state funding.