Research Associate, Houston Advanced Research Center, Houston, TX, USA
AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

I am an early career science professional with an interest in using science and engagement to drive decision-making. I love working at the interface of science and policy to translate the science and inform actions related to improving community resilience and sustainability. I was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. When I was studying chemical oceanography at the University of Miami, I struggled with my professional identity until I discovered opportunities in science policy. I now live in the Houston area and work on community resilience and sustainability. As a mother to two toddlers. I am also passionate about supporting early career professionals with resources to find work/life balance. I identify as a white woman.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

Co-chair, Local Planning Committee, American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, 2021-2022; Session Chair, Science to Action, AGU Fall Meetings, 2018-2019; Co-chair, Resilient Houston Plan “Building Forward” Working Group, City of Houston, 2019; Member, Student and Early Career Conference Planning Committee, AGU 2017 Fall Meeting; Secretary, Houston Local Chapter Sierra Club, 2018-2020; Treasurer, Student Travel Fund Committee at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 2016-2017

As one of the elected leaders of your section, how will you partner with your president and president-elect to communicate with and engage your members to help implement AGU’s strategic plan including its mission and vision?

The elected leaders and members of the Science and Society section are very well positioned to implement the vision and mission of AGU’s strategic plan. I am committed to supporting AGU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and values. I would like to facilitate the development of guidance for both Science and Society leaders and members to better understand biases and take corrective actions that improve race and gender equity. I will also continue to support and expand the “science to action” framework and initiatives of my predecessors. I will engage additional stakeholders, partners, and collaborators that contribute to solution-based science, including public, private, and nonprofit sector decision-making at all levels. I thrive at the boundary between scientists and stakeholders and am eager to facilitate the transfer of knowledge to enhance the development of research questions and community programs.

Section affiliations:

Biogeosciences; Earth and Planetary Surface Processes; GeoHealth; Global Environmental Change; Natural Hazards; Ocean Sciences; Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology; Science and Society