Academic Research Experience

Friendly Cities Lab

The Friendly Cities Lab (FCL) is a research group within the School of City & Regional Planning and School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Researches at the FCL work in a new field of study, interpersonal relationships and social networks in geographic space, to analyze traditional social networks from sociology within a GIS environment. Metrics the FCL has produced show how relationships are hindered or helped by the built environment.

Urban Climate Lab

The Urban Climate Lab (UCL) is a group of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology who are exploring the connections between climate change and the built environment. Globally, urbanized areas account for the majority of the human population but have received relatively little attention in climate change research. The UCL integrates expertise in the realms of environmental science, urban design, and public health to develop urban heat management strategies for cities.

WATERSHED INSTITUTE

The Watershed Institute’s aim is to serve Wisconsin with objective information about potential health risks so that communities and decision-makers are well-informed. In the past, the research team has worked with the DNR and community organizations such as Save the Hills Foundation.

 

Professional Research Experience

The M3 Initiative

The M3 Initiative was a startup founded by Orion Allgaier, Satchel Sabin, and Alex Stout. The initiative was created to develop a network of monitors to detect, predict, and manage potential mold outbreaks within university buildings. The long-term vision of the initiative was to develop a predictive tool to continuously monitor conditions that lead to the formation of mold and mildew in university buildings and to mitigate mold growth through HVAC parameters and air-handling. 

 

Research Projects as Part of Graduate Coursework

Climate Risk Analysis and Resilience Strategies in Atlanta, GA.

Course: Natural Disasters and Resilience (CP 8882), Fall 2021. Discussed how the occurrence of climate-related disruptions (i.e., flooding, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall events, pandemics, tornados, and hurricanes) exemplify a need for community resilience work in Atlanta, GA.

Hulsey Yard: Reimagining Rail to Catalyze Connection, Optimize Utilization, and Ingrain Resilience.

Course: Visualization for Planners (CP 6006), Fall 2021. Proposed an alternate site plan for Hulsey Yard, a 70-acre TRANSFLO facility owned by CSX that abuts sections of Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Cabbagetown, and Reynoldstown in Atlanta, GA.

OLS Analysis of Community Benefits Spending and Discharges for Ambulatory Care in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, & Alabama.

Course: Public Health and the Built Environment (CP 6850), Fall 2021. Measured the impact  investments in community building activities across Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama made on ‘Overall Discharges for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions’ between 2015-2019.

Study of Health Impacts and Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) based on a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Policy including a Case Study of the Midtown Connector in Atlanta, GA.

Course: Utility Regulation and Policy (PUBP 63452), Fall 2021. Leveraged GT-NEMS 2021 data to evaluate the health impacts from reduced emissions under a hypothetical nationwide adoption of California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Standards. The paper explored emissions reductions under the following scenarios: Scenarios 1-3 (NEMS, National): 25%, 50% or 75% of all new vehicles sold between 2025 and 2050 in the United States are ZEV for scenarios one, two, and three, respectively; Scenarios 4-6 (NEMS, State): 25%, 50% or 75% of all new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2050 in the state of Georgia are ZEV for scenarios four, five, and six, respectively; and Scenarios 7-9 (MOVES, Local): 25%, 50% and 75% of all vehicles on the Midtown Connector are ZEV for scenarios seven, eight, and nine, respectively.

LCOE of Okeechobee Gas-Fired Plant and Okeechobee Solar Energy Center to Analyze Hydrogen Power Potential in Florida & Georgia.

Course: Utility Regulation and Policy (PUBP 63452), Fall 2021. Evaluated the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for natural gas produced at Okeechobee Clean Energy Center Unit and solar energy produced at Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) Okeechobee Solar Energy Center to benchmark the decarbonization of sectors where greenhouse gas emissions are difficult to abate.

Suitability Analysis of BeltLine Parcels in Atlanta, GA.

Course: Urban Environmental Planning and Design (CP 6213), Spring 2021. Performed a linear combination suitability analysis to prioritize parcels for purchase based on square footage, zoning, assessed land value, proximity to public transit, and local attractions.

Urban Wildlife Management in Boulder, CO.

Course: Urban Environmental Planning and Design (CP 6213), Spring 2021. Recommended an adaptive management approach to provide core habitat as patches in the urban matrix, buffers between core habitat and urban uses, and connecting corridors in Boulder, CO.

Urban Heat Islands and Their Policy Context in Phoenix, AZ.

Course: Policy Tools – Environmental Management (CP 6314), Fall 2020. Investigated policy tools to help Phoenix, Arizona minimize risk by mainstreaming heat adaptation into their comprehensive plans, urban tree ordinances, and zoning codes.

Heat Vulnerability in Phoenix, AZ.

Course: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (CP 6514), Fall 2020. Identified vulnerable areas in Phoenix, Arizona where intervention may be most effective and discussed potential intervention strategies.

 

 Research Projects as Part of Undergraduate Coursework

Financial Analysis of Xcel Energy, Inc.

Course: Introduction to Finance (FIN 320), Spring 2020. Explored the relationship between different pieces of Xcel Energy’s financial information. The project investigated liquidity ratios, financial leverage ratios, asset management ratios, profitability ratios, and market value ratios.

Water Quality Trading and Case Analysis in Eau Claire County, WI.

Course: Water and Wastewater (ENPH 441), Fall 2019. Investigated the strengths and weaknesses of water quality trading in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. Water quality trading is a program offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) giving Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit holders the flexibility to acquire phosphorus reductions from other sources to offset an exceedance in their own discharge.

Generation IV Nuclear Technologies – Future Steps Toward Safer and More Efficient Energy.

Course: Radiation and Air Quality (ENPH 422), Spring 2019. Worked with another environmental public health student to write a policy brief advocating for the improved safety features of Generation IV nuclear technologies.

The Social Cost of Carbon – Preserving Public Health and Wellness.

Course: Radiation and Air Quality (ENPH 422), Spring 2019. Worked with another environmental public health student to write a policy brief advocating for domestic carbon pricing policies.