Environmental Science MS
ENSCI Graduate Student Served as NASA DEVELOP Team Member over Summer Break
Liana Solis, a current Environmental Science graduate student, spent her summer break serving as a NASA DEVELOP Team Member. DEVELOP, part of NASA’s Applied Sciences Program, addresses environmental and public policy issues through interdisciplinary research projects that apply the lens of NASA Earth observations to community concerns around the globe.
We recently touched base with Liana to learn more about her summer internship opportunity. To read about her internship experience, check out her interview below.
What did you summer internship with NASA entail?
I spent my summer working remotely in a team of four to conduct a feasibility project to use NASA Earth Observations for analyzing air quality impacts from wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. I collaborated with The Nature Conservancy Washington Chapter and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency as project partners to to produce a technical report, a Google Earth Engine web-based tool, training material for the NASA software "MISR Interactive eXplorer" (MINX), and science communication infographics. These deliverables will assist the project partners in their policy decisions.
How has your internship project helped shape your professional goals?
My NASA DEVELOP project has strengthened my skills in collaboration, science communication, remote sensing, and critical thinking; which are all skills I hope to continue to nurture in my future career. Additionally, this project allowed me to work with NASA, The Nature Conservancy Washington Chapter, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency which are all actors within the environmental field and gave me insight on the different career options that are available after I get my Master's degree.
What is your favorite part about being a graduate student at CSUMB?
Working together with my peers to work on projects that will directly benefit the local community.
Liana enjoyed the time she spent in the NASA DEVELOP program and hopes to apply what she has learned to future remote sensing projects in her graduate school experience and career. Check out Liana's project presentation on YouTube and read more about her group's project on the NASA DEVELOP Projects website.