Advancing water equity and rural futures
I am an environmental sociologist and community-engaged researcher. Through the H2OPE Project and collaborations with communities and nonprofit partners, I combine environmental sociology with policy analysis, GIS, and environmental data science to produce actionable research, public-facing tools, and locally grounded solutions.
I study how public institutions can use policy and community knowledge to make water and other essential services more affordable, accessible, and health-protective in urban, rural, and historically underserved communities. My work also addresses environmental justice issues of the AI-enterprise, and to what extent AI can be ethically used within institutions and scientific teams.
My current work focuses on water affordability and utility governance, such as alternatives to shutoffs, as well as rural policy, public health, and the responsible use of AI and data tools for the public good.
Current roles and affiliations
Faculty Developer & Lecturer
Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute (SSEHRI), Northeastern University
Research Scholar, Team Science
Environmental Data Science Innovation & Impact Lab (ESIIL), Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder
Board of Directors
National Center for Frontier Communities (NCFC)
Education
Dual PhD in Sociology and Environmental Science and Policy
Michigan State University
Associated certifications
- MSU onGEO Professional GIS Certificate, Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
- MSU Graduate Certification in Community Engagement, University Outreach and Engagement
- CU Boulder Earth Data Analytics – Foundations Professional Certificate, Department of Geography
