2021 NSF REU & RET Scholars
River Johnson, Utah State University, REU Scholar
My name is River Johnson, and I am a Junior at Utah State University, where I am majoring in Human-Environmental Geography and pursuing an Inclusive Leadership Certificate. Being an International Community Scholar in the UCF REU Site means having the resources and guidance to enhance my passion for inclusive approaches to intersectional problems. Through education and empowerment, this opportunity will help me amplify local voices and aid vulnerable coastal communities in claiming their rightful stake in what happens where they live. This is done through a variety of mixed methods, which takes into account the diversity of stakeholders in the area. As an International Community Scholar, I will work with people from varied backgrounds with a multitude of perspectives on various issues and ideas- which, will in turn, expand my understanding, empathy, and approach to the work I am doing.
Hannah Scott, Colorado College, REU Scholar
My name is Hannah Scott (she/her), and I am a student at Colorado College. I am majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Health and Society and minoring in Molecular Biology. To me, being an international community scholar means challenging the traditional systems of knowledge production that tend to only validate privileged populations. This includes recognizing my own positionality as well as prioritizing local knowledge, values, and voices to define problems and solutions. By collaborating with community stakeholders, students, and youth members, I am so excited to move beyond the conventional format of academic inquiry toward sustainable and accessible research that is genuinely beneficial for people who live in Hopkins, Belize.
Cali Carter, Virginia Commonwealth University, REU Scholar
My name is Cali Carter and I attend Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia where I’m pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in Art and Environmental Studies. My background as a designer and climate organizer has led me to research focuses on participatory planning, placemaking, and the built environment. To me, being an international community scholar means developing a sustained concentration on listening to and monitoring the collaborating community’s response to the methods and implications of the project. Additionally, I believe that international research and scholarship facilitate more meaningful explorations of data accessibility. I’m most looking forward to engaging in conversation about the intersections of community care with field research methods, as well as rethinking traditional modes of scientific communication with the REU team!
Katherine Rocchio, George Mason University, REU Scholar
My name is Katherine Rocchio. I am a current undergraduate at George Mason University, studying for a Bachelor’s in Geography with a minor in Global Systems. To me, being an international community scholar is such a great advantage of the 21st century. Not only am I able to connect with researchers around the world; I can access all kinds of information and ongoing studies no matter where I am. Having the privilege of partnering with the National Science Foundation, it is my hope that I can continue my work as an international scholar to produce quality work that can provide answers and solutions to current problems as well as forming a solid informational base for future research.
Valeria Hansen, University of Central Florida, REU Scholar
Valeria Hansen is a double major in film & advertising/public relations at the University of Central Florida. Her career interests are primarily centered in storytelling and her hobbies include getting clawed up by her cat, Olive, playing video games and volunteering. Being an international community scholar in the UCF REU project site means having the opportunity to center local voices in community-based research. It’s equally humbling and thrilling to be a small piece in a larger puzzle and be able to learn from the team and community.
Zachary Silberman, Villanova University, REU Scholar
My name is Zachary Silberman, and I am a rising senior at Villanova University who is majoring in Geography with a minor in sustainability studies and public administration. I am thrilled to be an international community scholar within the UCF REU and RET site working on community geography and GIS to map disparities in flooding in Hopkins Village, Belize. Working as an international community scholar is an amazing and unique opportunity for someone like me who is hoping to be extremely involved within the geospatial field in my undergraduate studies and beyond. To bring my enthusiasm for GIS to an international community and see my own passions having a long-lasting positive impact on these sites is a dream come true. I believe that a fundamental aspect of working on this site is being able to bring my own knowledge and experience to willing communities while also prioritizing the ability to listen to local voices to enhance and amplify collaborative shared ideas, practices, and mutually-beneficial research.
Anya St. Martin, Hunter College, REU Scholar
My name is Anya St Martin, and I am a freshman at Macaulay Honors at Hunter College, and my current major is Environmental Science with a possible double major in Human Biology. Being an international community scholar in this UCF REU and RET Site for me means to be an understanding researcher and put the community first. The research should be thought of as something that is being done with the community, instead of to it or in it. The research and scientific process should be completed as needed, but those who are working should always keep in mind that the research they are doing should ultimately be in line with what the community wants and what would benefit them. This is especially important in an international setting because the experiences of the community could be vastly different than those in the United States.
Ángel Sebastian Estruche Santos, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, REU Scholar
I am Ángel Sebastian Estruche Santos and I am pursuing a major in environmental sciences, in the College of Naturals Sciences, from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. I think that being a UCF REU International Community Scholar refers to an individual willing to cultivate knowledge alongside peers from around the world and different backgrounds. As a member of this international community, you play a role in the creation, communication, and transformation of knowledge and perspectives in manners that are free from boundaries. This enables scholars to be invested in local or global situations that are favored by vast perspectives and ideas. An International Community Scholar is a person invested in all aspects that diversely develop wisdom within its community, the world, and academia.
Alicia (Ali) Pressel, Creekside High School, St. Johns, FL, RET Scholar
My name is Ali Pressel. I teach environmental sciences and outdoor field studies at Creekside High School in Saint Johns, Florida. I am an environmental educator, helping the next generation of learners and leaders enhance their geographic perspectives while making community connections. The largest of community challenges can be resolved through collaborative solutions using spatial technologies to see global connections. I believe by working together, everyone can become Changemakers and make a difference in our communities.
Shale Shore, Kauai Sailing Association, HI, RET Scholar Co-Teacher
Aloha, my name is Shale Shore and I live on the island of Kauai, where I serve as the Executive Director for the Kauai Sailing Association, a maritime school whose vision is “teaching life skills through marine awareness”. I hold a bachelors in Marine Biology from Oregon State University, and was able to participate in a semester at sea through the Sea Education Association in my final year of college. During my semester at sea I studied various water masses in the Pacific Ocean, using bioluminescence as a measure of productivity. I worked in the field as a biologist for Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Archipelago Marine Research before changing tracks to teaching. I have worked as a Marine Educator at Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, a world class teaching research facility, located in B.C, Canada. I was introduced to GIS through a community project in 2017 and was so impressed with the potential for spatially based information sharing through this platform I acquired a certificate in GIS from Kauai Community College (KCC). Through the KCC program I was able to create a map of marine debris on the island of Kauai that was shared in the map gallery at the 2018 ESRI User Conference. I am looking forward to bringing back new methods, ideas and techniques learned during this NSF/RET experience to our classroom! Already ideas of a “geo-boat” are being formed. Being an international community scholar at the UCF RET site is an opportunity for me as a teacher in one of the most isolated island chains in the world to expand my horizons and create new opportunities for my students and community.
Julie Gardner, Kauai Sailing Association, HI, RET Scholar Co-Teacher
Aloha, my name is Julie Gardner. I hold a bachelors in political science from California State University, Chico. My first career was in business as Vice President of online home improvement retailer, Build.com. When I completed my SCUBA certification in 2001, I realized that underwater is where I wanted to be, and shifted focus. Since then I have logged over 3,500 dives. Underwater photography was a natural progression in my diving career and served as a learning tool to teach myself local ecology. My photography has also allowed me to contribute to many citizen science databases including the study and identification of whale sharks, manta rays, and hawksbill sea turtles. I have been able to contribute to scientific understanding of our oceans through work with the Cascadia Research Collective on the distribution and identification of blackfish in Hawaiian waters, and the National Marine Fisheries Service permitted whale tagging project that allowed scientists to study individual Humpback whale behaviors as it relates to acoustics. I have worked as a marine naturalist for Kauai Sea Riders on both the south shore and the remote Napali Coast of Kauai, HI. Currently, I am a marine educator, social media director and content creator for the Kauai Sailing Association. I’m extremely passionate about the ocean and thoroughly enjoy sharing that passion with our students while encouraging them to get involved. I’m very excited for an opportunity to learn more about community GIS as I enjoy working with data to see what stories can be told. Being an international community scholar at the UCF RET site means an opportunity for me to learn, collaborate, and share best practices.