Meet our New Staff at New England WSC - September 2021
By New England Water Science Center
September 23, 2021
Join us in welcoming our recently hired staff at the New England WSC.
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Evan comes to the New England Water Science Center (WSC) from the Urbana, Illinois office of the Central Midwest WSC, where he worked as a Hydrologic Technician for about four and a half years. He worked mainly in surface-water but also had duties relating to water-quality, precipitation, groundwater, and more. Prior to the USGS, Evan describes himself as a jack of all trades. He coached varsity football and taught CAD for over 3 years, among other STEM classes, then switched gears and fell in love with freshwater ecology and entomology while attending school in Kentucky and working in the Azores in Portugal. After Kentucky, Evan worked in an entomology/genetics laboratory at the University of Illinois where he became proficient in basic molecular techniques. His last private sector job was out of Chicago as the crew leader of a boat crew for a consulting firm, where he performed various fisheries work. Evan describes himself as a “geek”, through and through, no matter the topic, but he is very passionate about all things science. One of his favorite USGS projects was the barge entrainment and water jet trials for invasive species mitigation on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC). Evan has always enjoyed seeing how so many different agencies can come together to work toward a common goal on a project.
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Joe comes to the Environmental Hydrology section from the USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center. He works as the Hydrologic Instrument Research and Development (HIR&D) project lead with the Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) team, Observing Systems Division (OSD). The HIR&D plans and executes instrument and observing system evaluations for a readiness to transition into monitoring operations. His recent work with the Laboratory and Analytical Services Division (LASD) team focused on developing and evaluating field-data collection, storage, and publication workflows. Joe has a MS in Geology from the University of South Carolina, a BS in Geology and Environmental Science from James Madison University, and served as a crew chief and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) inspector in Marine Corps aviation. Joe is excited to join the New England Water Science Center in Montpelier, Vermont with his wife, son, and two dogs.
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Ryan was born and raised in Goshen, Indiana. He joined the U.S. Army soon after high school, serving for over 13 years. Ryan served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. After receiving his BS in Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019, he was hired as a term Biological Science Technician with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. He has joined the New England WSC as a Hydrologic Technician in the QW Networks unit in the Connecticut office.
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Lisa began with the USGS in 2008 as an intern conducting fieldwork at the Naval Air Warfare Center research site in West Trenton, NJ. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Management with a minor in Watersheds and Water Resources from Penn State, she was hired as a Physical Scientist in the NJ Water Science Center’s Water Quality (QW) Observations Program. After several years of collecting water-quality data for long-term discrete and continuous data networks and short-term water-quality projects, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Terrestrial Ecology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain and completed it in 2014. Following her galivant around Europe, Lisa returned to the USGS and worked as a senior member in the QW Observations Program. She and a team of comrades installed, operated, and maintained multi-parameter continuous monitors, field tested new instruments and developed and refined data collection methods for fluorometric and spectrometric sensors. Additionally, Lisa collected discrete water-quality samples for routine constituents and emerging contaminants. This year, with her partner Aric, she purchased a Willow tree nursery in Vermont and now “sits” in Montpelier, amped to learn from the New England USGS folks and to share her experience and skillset. Lisa’s favorite color is all of them. She likes cookies and milk A LOT and has a small brown dog named Pema Doggers.
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Jared was hired through the recent graduate program after receiving a BS in Geology from West Virginia University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a MS in Geosciences from Pennsylvania State University. For his master's thesis he conducted research on Uranium-234 and -238 systematics in carbonate residual soils which involved designing the field campaign, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation. More recently, Jared has been working as a park ranger for the Allegheny County Parks Department, conducting trail maintenance, leading nature hikes, and providing environmental interpretations to park visitors.
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Paul is originally from Charlestown, Rhode Island, and received his BS Wildlife Biology at the University of Rhode Island in 2019. Since graduating, he has worked for two different environmental consultancies assisting with the cleanup of many different waste sites across New England, including many retail petroleum sites, landfills, and a few superfund sites. Paul is very interested in North American ecosystems and enjoys birdwatching and hiking in his spare time. He currently lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his girlfriend Taylor and their two cats. He’s excited to start at USGS to work in a scientific field, and to explore New England's waterways and other natural areas.
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Avi joins the Applied Hydrology Program as a Student Trainee in the Connecticut office. He is currently a rising senior at UCLA majoring in Geography and minoring in Geographic Information Systems. Avi wanted to work for the USGS to be part of an organization where his work can contribute towards gaining a better understanding of our vast and diverse American landscape. Avi enjoys photography as a hobby and creative outlet. His favorite things to shoot are urban and natural landscapes.
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Max was hired through the recent graduate program after receiving a BS in Fisheries and Water Resources: Water Resources Option from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. At UW Stevens Point Max was co-president of the American Water Resources Association and Vice President of the Adventure Club. Recently, Max has been working in Wisconsin as a restoration field technician for Cardno Inc. as well as a youth climbing coach for Adventure Rock
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Andrew was recently hired as a Physical Scientist in the Massachusetts office. And works with the FEMA Mapping team within the Applied Hydrology program. He was hired into the Pathways Recent Graduate program after receiving a BS in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences from MIT in 2020. As an undergrad, he played on the MIT football team and played saxophone for the MIT Wind Ensemble. He enjoys physical fitness and performing music.
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Sam was hired through the recent graduate program after receiving a BS in Environmental Sciences from Eastern Washington University. Recently, Sam has been working as a Data Configuration Specialist for Engie Impact in Spokane, WA. Sam comes to us with streamflow measurement skills using AA and Pygmy current meters and bridge boards. Valuable skillsets for sure!
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Joel was hired through the recent graduate program after receiving a BA in Geography, a BS in Environmental Sciences, and masters in Geology from the University of New Hampshire. Joel's thesis, Petrologic constraints of symplectite textures in blueschist in northern Vermont, involved field recon to identify, sample, analyze, and map outcrops as well as using LiDAR, DEMs, and GIS to correlate petrologic findings to structural formations. Joel is a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as an Electronics Technician Second Class (Submarines). His major duties included programming and maintaining the ships onboard Voyage Management System and using bathymetric monitoring equipment to support mapping of shipping routes.
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Kristina joined the New England Water Science Center as a Hydrology Student Trainee in the Massachusetts office. She will soon be a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a BS in Geosciences and a concentration in Geospatial Technologies. With an already established family life, Nina is finally accomplishing her career goals and looks forward to a long career with USGS. In her personal life, she loves everything outdoors, science and art. A fun fact - Nina (and her team) has escaped every escape room she has been in, which is over 20.
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Hayley joined the New England Water Science Center in May 2021 as a Cooperative Summer Fellowship Program student intern. She has spent most of her summer assisting with data collection and analysis for several groundwater and surface-water hydrologic studies of western Cape Cod. Hayley received a bachelor’s degree in Geosciences from the University of Utah in December 2020. While in school she conducted research on the spatial variation of isotopes in precipitation and vegetation in North America. When she’s not conducting field work on Cape Cod Hayley likes to read, practice yoga, and explore new places to hike in New England.
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Omar was born and raised in Cairo, but moved to Baltimore, Maryland around middle school. After high school he attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Omar started his undergrad not sure of what he wanted to do, but after taking classes in various fields he was drawn to Environmental Science, especially the more technical aspects including GIS. He is very passionate about soccer and is always looking for people to play with or to join a team. His favorite team is Real Madrid, with Chelsea being a close second. Omar also really enjoys travelling and eating all types of different cuisines. Being an avid traveler, Omar has been to Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, London, Paris, and Madrid to name a few. He has recently begun hiking and discovering beautiful trails and scenery and is excited to be in a new state where he can discover new trails. Omar is excited to be part of the New England Water Science Center!
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Kiersten was recently hired on as a Hydrology Student Trainee in the Massachusetts office. She is entering her senior year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where she is studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering. Kiersten’s keen interest in hydrology and GIS led her to apply for the position. A fun fact about Kiersten is she’s scuba certified!
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Natalie is from Evansville, Indiana, and a recent graduate of Purdue University (2021) where she earned a BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science with a concentration in water quality. She began her career with the USGS in July of 2020 as a student trainee Hydrologic Technician. Natalie’s primary role includes discrete water-quality sampling in rivers and streams for both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island water-quality-networks. Her interests include community outreach through social media and laboratory efficiency. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys exploring New England through hiking and camping.
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Maria is a Hydrologic Technician in the Connecticut office. Originally from Edison, New Jersey, Maria has spent the last 6 years pursuing her education out in Colorado. She received her AS in Natural Resource Management from Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colorado. She continued her education at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, where she received a BS in Environmental Geology and was the President of the college’s geology club. After completing her degree, Maria worked for a local non-profit as a member of Gunnison Trails Trail Crew. She then completed a 3-month internship with the National Park Service Geoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) program as a Geology Assistant at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Oneida, Tennessee, where she inventoried and monitored mines and oil and gas wells throughout the park. Since her internship, Maria says she’s been searching for her dream job, the one she’d like as a career. She always aspired to work for the USGS, and to work with hydrologic systems, so she feels her new position is quite literally a “dream come true” for her. Maria is excited to join the WSC and to be working alongside bright and energetic geoscientists, just like her!
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Julia is originally from Hampton, NH and completed her undergrad degree in Pennsylvania at Dickinson College in 2020 majoring in biology and minoring in Italian. After graduating she moved out to central Illinois to work on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers studying fish populations and water quality through a variety of surveying techniques. After completing that seasonal position Julia took a new job in Ohio studying the population of Blanding’s turtles and other turtle species in that area. She has a passion for working in and studying freshwater environments which is what lead her to the USGS. Julia is very excited to begin her new position as a Hydrologic Technician and more about the work done at the New England Water Science Center!
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