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I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University. I hold a Ph.D. (2018) in planning and public policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and a Master of Landscape Architecture (2006) from Cal Poly Pomona. Both my research and teaching aim to make cities more livable and sustainable by revealing the politics underlying urban environments.

Awards & Fellowships

( 01 )

Research Interests

Urban Political Ecologies | Sewage | Lived Urban Experience

Using the concepts of urban metabolism as a lens, my work investigates how the everyday lives of urban residents shape, and are shaped by, urban political ecologies. In particular, I study the urban political ecology of sewage.

My current research project investigates the ability of decentralized, or onsite, sewage systems to shape urban futures across the global North/South divide. This work explores how decentralized sewage technology is altering urban ecosystems and re-distributing control over sewage services to non-state actors in New York City and Agra, India. This project will contribute to discussions of urban ecology, urban governance, and infrastructure planning by expanding our understanding of how technology mediates social/biophysical relations in cities.

Teaching

( 02 )

Courses Taught

Rutgers University - undergraduate

Globalization, Development & Environment

Introduction to Sustainability 

Environmental Justice

Politics of Environmental Issues

Energy and Society

Environmental Solutions

Hunter College, CUNY - graduate

Brownfield Redevelopment Planning Studio

Affordable Artist Housing Planning Studio

Land Use, People and Environment 

Professsional Experienc

( 03 )

Professional Experience

2010 - 2011

Applied Ecological Services

Philadelphia, PA

Lead Ecological Planner

Selected Projects: Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Landfill Master Plan, Lancaster County, PA; Clarke Properties Costal Restoration, Loveladies, NJ

2008 -2010

MESA Design Group

Dallas, TX

Senior Project Manager

Selected Projects: Mushaireb Waterfront Development, Khartoum, Sudan; Trail Master Plan and Implementation Strategy, Midlothian, TX; Audubon Dogwood Canyon Trail Guidelines, Cedar Hill, TX; Falling Waters Plan Development, Marble Falls, TX

2006 -2008

Megert Environmental Planning

Los Angeles, CA

Principal & Owner

Selected Projects: Grand Canal Lagoon Restoration, Los Angeles, CA; Del Rey Lagoon Vision Plan, Los Angeles, CA; Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Environmental Education Program, Los Angeles, CA

Awards & Fellowships

( 04 )

Awards & Fellowships

2018

Susan S. Fainstein Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship Award

Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

2016

Dr. Donald A. Krueckeberg Memorial Scholarship 

Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

2015

USAID Research and Innovation Fellowship

US Global Development Lab

2014

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship

US Department of Education

2014

Mentoring Program for Pre-dissertation Research in India 

Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative

2006

American Society of Landscape Architects Student Merit Award

Southern California Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects

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