We are proud to announce our newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Undergraduate Scholarship, Addie Daniels.
Addie Daniels is from Chino Valley, Arizona. She enjoys music and track and field. She has been a track and field athlete since 6th grade and is currently a NCAA Division III thrower! Way to go Addie! She throws shot put, discus, hammer, weighted throw, and javelin. She likes Marvel movies, Star Trek and Sponge Bob.   Addie attends college at LeTourneau University where she is studying Civil Engineering. In her free time, she likes to...just kidding, what engineering student has free time? Addie enjoys Civil Engineering because you can see the direct impact of your work. Congratulations Addie!

How did you hear about G.E.M. Environmental and this scholarship opportunity?
I learned about it at the Dec. 2018 Cash for College event at Yavapai College.
 
My current work and passion.
This is my first year of studying Civil Engineering. I became interested in it when I took a drafting and design course as a freshman in high school. I ended up doing three years of drafting, learning AutoCAD, REVIT, Civil 3D, and Solidworks. I was able to apply my skills to projects at Chino Valley High School including new dugouts for softball and a new throwing area with three new throwing rings and sectors. Seeing these projects from dream to reality inspired me to do more. So far, in college, my favorite things in Civil have been creating a water filtration system as well as a cantilever bridge design. As I go forward, I am interested in pursuing an emphasis in water-related civil engineering.

How I plan to use my award.
I am planning on using my scholarship funds to purchase tools and equipment/software I will need as an engineer.
 
What this scholarship means to me.
Being awarded this scholarship puts me one step closer to graduating from college debt free, a major goal for me. I have always enjoyed non-traditional vocations (throwing, engineering, math) as related to being a female. I like knowing that a small percentage of Civil Engineers are women. It is important to me to demonstrate that a woman is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to.
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I hope to see many more females entering STEM fields. Thank you so much for your support!

We are proud to announce the newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Graduate Scholarship Award, Linnea Delucchi. Linnea is originally from Sacramento, California, but has spent the last five years traveling the world and exploring her interests. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Neurobiology, but was unsure what direction she wanted to take with her degree. She took some time off to grow and gain life experiences. During that time, Linnea hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, visited southern Europe and Eastern Canada, and lived in New Zealand for a year. She loves traveling not just for the experiences, but for the worldly knowledge gained as well. If she hadn't spent the last five years exploring, she doesn’t think she would have discovered her current passion: the effects of nature on the brain.
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STEM education has always been part of Linnea’s life and she has always loved science. She knew that she wanted to study neurobiology, but didn't know what to do with that degree once she earned it. She also loved being able to support facts with research and having concrete reasons for the way things work. Congratulations Linnea!

How did you hear about G.E.M. Environmental and this scholarship opportunity?
My roommate is an AmeriCorps Vista working for G.E.M. She knew I was currently in my Master's and that my thesis was related to STEM. So, she suggested that I apply for the graduate student scholarship because, why not?
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
My Master's thesis will cover some subtopic of how nature affects the human brain. I love playing outside, and I also love science. This thesis topic allows me to combine my passions and explore an area that I am very interested in. I am able to use my knowledge from undergrad with my experience in the outdoors. While I have not picked a specific area of neurobiology yet, I think I will focus on the affects of nature on either stress reduction, increased relaxation, or cognitive recall. The nature aspect could be just sitting in nature or an outdoor activity. I will be designing my thesis this semester and carrying it out this summer and fall!

If your scholarship funds HAVE BEEN USED, please explain exactly how they were used or disbursed.
Part of the scholarship funds have been used. This semester, I am traveling to various labs studying nature in the brain. This scholarship is helping me cover the costs of these travel expenses.I have already been to Indiana, where I was able to use various bio and neurofeedback equipment. For example, I learned how to use an fNIR, HRV (heart rate variability) monitor, and EEG. These are all forms of equipment that can measure brain/nervous system function. I was also added to an IRB for a project that was researching the effects of being in nature on HRV responses to small stressors. For this experiment, we measured participants HRV and blood pressure before and after time spent in nature. We are still waiting for the results to be covered to data that can be analyzed.
 
If the funds HAVE BEEN USED, what was the outcome?
While we are still waiting in the HRV research data, I was able to design a practice experiment when I was in Indiana. In this experiment, people wearing an EEG watched either a cityscape video or a nature scape video. I recorded their brain waves, and found that beta waves (waves associated with stress) were increased in the city scape participants. In contrast, alpha waves (brain waves associated with relaxation) were increased in participants watching the nature video. While the participants were not immersed in real nature, analyzing the effects of visual nature is still interesting!
 
If your scholarship funds HAVE NOT BEEN USED yet, how do you anticipate you will achieve success?
I will be attending a wilderness therapy symposium in Asheville, North Carolina. Here, I will be able to learn how to use qEEGs in relation to neurofeedback. In neurofeedback, people look at their own polygraphs and see what effects certain stimuli have on their brain waves. qEEGs are becoming increasingly popular in wilderness therapy so clients are able to see what is happening in their brain when they are out in nature. By researching this, I hope to promote people spending time in nature and using the outdoors as a medicine over pharmaceuticals. As screen time and indoor time increases, people are becoming more detached and even afraid of the outdoors. I hope to help reverse this trend by helping people realize the medicinal, calming, and other benefits of nature.

Tell us what this scholarship means to you.
I have been financially independent since the middle of my undergrad. I have chosen a field (outdoor education) that is not the most lucrative, which makes paying for a Master's extremely difficult. Loans have a high interest rate and making ends meet, while attending school, is very difficult task. I have been working full-time while also being a full-time student. This leaves room for nothing else in my life. This scholarship greatly reduces the amount of financial stress I have felt since beginning my Master's. I have often chosen work over school, just to make sure I can pay for life expenses. With this scholarship, I will be able spend more time focusing on my studies and learning about the topics I am most passionate about.
 
In addition, I am proud to be a female studying science, as well as a female outdoorsy women. Both science and the outdoors are still male-dominated, so being part of both fields means a lot! I like being able to keep up with the boys, whether it is climbing, skiing, mountain biking, etc. We need more women out there!

GEM Environmental is excited to announce a new addition to the team! Please welcome Brandon White who is our new GEM for STEM Program Manager. Brandon grew up in a small town in Southern Michigan and has lived in Prescott for the past year. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a specialization in Health Promotions. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, attending live music, playing music, reading, and rock climbing. Brandon has always loved science and is excited to help foster a passion for STEM programs in students. Welcome to the team Brandon!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I learned about GEM Environmental through my connections as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Arizona Serve in Prescott.

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
Following graduation, I began working as a physical therapy assistant in the Washington, DC area. After spending 7 years helping patients recover from injuries and surgeries I decided that I wanted to start working to help people on a broader scale. This led me to become a member of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, where I spent a year serving as the event coordinator for Boys to Men Mentoring running programs for teenage boys in Yavapai County.

What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I plan to use my passion for helping and others and experience working with youth to help GEM's programs achieve their full potential through inspiring and encouraging STEM students.

What are your career goals?
I would like to continue working with non-profits to help make a positive impact in the lives of people and the community.

Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I worked as a physical therapy intern for 3 months prior to graduation from college. The experience helped to prepare me for my future work environment.

​We are proud to announce the newest recipient of the GEM for STEM Graduate Scholarship Award, Grace Sinisalo.
Grace is 24 years old and was born and raised in Northern Minnesota. She spends most of her free time watching TV, hanging with friends and family, enjoying the fresh air & being outside, or playing fetch with her adorable one-year old puppy Winston.

​Grace first became passionate about the STEM fields in middle school when a particular teacher showed her how fun science can be and how much it can influence our everyday lives. She has always had a math/science-based mind, so working with numbers and facts has always piqued her interest. Being passionate about learning about the STEM fields, even from a young age, made her grow and excel as a student throughout all her studies. It continued into high school and later into her undergraduate degree in biology. Grace attributes her success in school and her future in medicine, to finding a love to learn through the STEM fields and the support of her teachers. Congratulations Grace!

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
Right now I am an AmeriCorps volunteer serving with Arizona Serve at Yavapai County Community Health Services. My current role is as the Opioid Harm Reduction Coordinator. In this position, I work with local organizations, community members, and county and state boards in order to promote harm reduction strategies that revolve around Opioid Use Disorder. I am focused specifically on Naloxone education and distribution, destigmatization and education about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and improved access to MAT for pregnant women throughout Yavapai County. While working full time in this position, I am also fine tuning applications for medical school and studying to take my MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) in order to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. From a young age, with the help of the STEM fields, I have had a passion for medicine and the healthcare field. I am honored to be working alongside health care workers in Public Health and I look forward to continuing my education in medicine.

If your scholarship funds HAVE NOT BEEN USED yet, how do you anticipate you will achieve success?
I have not had the opportunity to use my scholarship award yet as I am waiting to use it towards medical school application fees in the upcoming month. Without this money, I would be struggling to even apply for medical school because of how much it costs to apply per school. I am grateful to have this scholarship money to take the financial weight of applications off my shoulders and to focus on getting into the school I want. By becoming a physician, I will constantly be using my knowledge in the STEM fields to treat and care for patients, as well as contribute unique findings in medicine to the field of science.
 
Tell us what this scholarship means to you.
As mentioned above, I am so grateful for this scholarship and the relief of the financial burden associated with medical school application fees. To apply to medical school is expensive, but to apply as an AmeriCorps VISTA is even more detrimental on the bank account.... Without this G.E.M. scholarship, I would have difficulties even submitting an application to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.

GEM Environmental is excited to announce a new addition to the team! Please welcome Abby Ruby, who is our new AmeriCorps VISTA Member STEM Outreach Specialist, through Arizona Serve and GEM.
 
Abby is from Bel Air, Maryland. She went to school at the University of Alabama where she majored in Mechanical Engineering. She loves anything outside, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing! Abby also played Ultimate Frisbee for four years at school and during summers. Her love for science and math has helped her reach her goals and has furthered her education. This is why she wants to use her passion and get other students excited about STEM and show them all the possibilities they can have for their future education. Welcome to the team Abby!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I became interested in working for AmeriCorps during my senior year of college when I realized I wanted to dedicate my work to volunteerism. I received an email from Arizona Serve that had information about GEM Environmental Program which sounded like a great way to combine my passion for STEM with my desire to serve a community.
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
As a STEM Education Outreach Specialist, I will be working to give students in Prescott and surrounding areas education opportunities in STEM.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
Through speaker series, field trips, fundraisers, and scholarships/ internships I hope to open students' eyes to the many possibilities they have through STEM Education. In addition, I hope to extend our reach to low-income areas where children may not have as many opportunities for education and growth.
 
What are your career goals?
While I'm not totally sure of how I want to use my degree in my career, I know that I want to spend my life creating change and improving people's quality of life. Biomechanical Engineering has always been very appealing to me because I will be able to use my engineering/ science background in a growing and beneficial field.
 
Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
I'm not sure right now, but I would love to get a PhD in order to teach at a higher level.
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
Yes, I have had two engineering internships in the past. These internships taught me so much beyond just technical skills... such as responsibility, problem solving, and project management.
 
Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
I am so excited to use my combined passions for STEM and community empowerment to make a difference in Prescott!

​To learn more about Abby click here!

​GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Jackson Lodermeier is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Range Technician Assistant in cooperation with the BLM at the Lower Sonoran Field Office.
 
This summer Jackson made the trek from Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was born and raised. He grew up fishing, camping, and enjoying what the Great Lakes region has to offer. This led to his excitement for the outdoors and prompted him to begin studying Geography. Jackson is now a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison finishing his B.S. in Cartography and GIS. He is grateful for the support and education from his STEM teachers and professors because he now sees the value these subjects carry in a pursuit for a brighter future. Welcome to the team Jackson!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
This internship came to my attention after searching for GIS experience with conservation. Having worked with a non-profit in the past, I was eager to learn about GEM Environmental and its commitment to engaging STEM students with opportunities to work with agencies.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
During my time with GEM and the BLM, I plan to get acquainted with the process of federal agency work, exercise skills I have taken away from my education, and learn new ones alongside like-minded peers.
 
What are your career goals?
In the short term, I plan to gain experience using GIS within public lands, land management, and/or resource management. In a broader scope, I strive to become an expert and a leadership figure in my field.
 
Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
This fall, I will complete my undergraduate degree and begin my career thereafter. I will, however, keep the possibility of a graduate program open if research or specialization in the future interests me.
 
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
Last year, I joined the Arizona Conservation Corps for a 6-month AmeriCorps service term. Here I served on a trail crew, a disaster relief effort, and led ten local youth for the Petrified Forest National Park's youth conservation crew. Through this experience, I learned how to follow, how to lead, and how to survive long days in the Arizona sun. Getting to work alongside the BLM, Forest Service, and National Park Service was a memorable introduction to the different opportunities available to work in public lands.

To learn more about Jackson check out his profile:
http://jlodermeier.github.io/

GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Jordan Bracy is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Range Technician Assistant in cooperation with the BLM at the Aqua Fria National Monument out of the Hassayampa Field Office.
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Jordan was born in Safford, Arizona and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated at Northern Arizona University in the fall of 2020 earning his Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Anthropology. He has an interest in both indoor and outdoor activities. For his preferred indoor activities, he enjoys watching shows, putting together puzzles, and bonding with family. His favorite outdoor activities include going on walks either in the city or on trails, going fishing, and recently he has decided to take up gardening. Jordan think STEM education is important because teaching people of all ages the importance of different sciences allows for an inter-disciplined population that both respects and desires to participate in STEM-based activities. Welcome to the team Jordan!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I had been doing some job searching for some time on different websites. I wanted something that fit me. I wanted something research and team based as that is what I enjoy doing the most. When I had seen the internship posting online by GEM Environmental, I knew this was the place for me!
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
I don’t have a lot of experience in one particular area as of yet as my undergraduate degree was focused mainly on the broad spectrum of environmental science ranging anywhere from environmental policy, to ecology. However, this has allowed me to see the many different areas that I could focus on in the future as I continue to learn more about the field by participating in opportunities such as the one provided by GEM Environmental. One particular route that has interested me, is the path toward becoming an Environmental Manager.
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
During my time with GEM Environmental, I expect to gain a greater understanding of conservation efforts in a professional setting. I want to gain as much knowledge and experience as I can by working alongside both professionals and other interns who also have knowledge that I may not. I also want to help this organization grow and participate in tangible projects to better aid conservation efforts.

What are your career goals?
I know that I want to pursue a career that will hold high importance to environmental work. A career in which I can feel accomplished and satisfied to finally reach. Although I’m not completely sure what that career might entail, I have been considering an early position as an Environmental Specialist and a later position after I finish my Master’s Degree as an Environmental Manager.
 
Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
After gaining some experience in the real world, I will go back to school to complete my Master’s Degree in Environmental Management to become and Environmental Manager. I want to take on one of the highest roles to be given to someone in the environmental field so I can feel like the work that I’m doing is for the betterment of the environment. For me, when I think of the best place to make the greatest impact for environmentalism, I think of large corporations that withhold some of the most power and wealth in the world. Being able to change the course of their actions to meet environmental regulations will allow for more sustainable options to be used. Starting with one corporation and continuing to the next, I will be able to make a real difference in the world. I don’t want to lose the beautiful environment that we live in, so I will strive for excellence in my life to do my part.
 
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I have done two separate internships as an undergraduate student before partaking in this one. My first internship experience was a partnership between NAU and nonprofit organization Flagstaff Foodlink to create a map of the fruit trees in Flagstaff to decrease food waste and increase equity. This was done under Graduate Assistant Kira Farmer and 6 undergraduate students including myself. We created a website that people could easily access from Flagstaff Foodlink’s homepage that includes all of the work that we had down throughout the internship experience. This included the research we had done, a graphic to help people with apple identification, and the map itself. The second internship that I was apart of included 4 undergraduate students including myself working under the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. This internship was dedicated to understanding citizen science projects happening in other places of the world as well as citizen science projects currently happening in Flagstaff. The point of doing this was to create a proposal for organizations currently doing citizen science projects in Flagstaff to aid them in other directions they may take to initiate successful projects and to get more people involved in their projects as well. Doing so much environmental research alongside others has allowed for me become comfortable working alongside different organizations as well as cultivating deep connections with those around me to create palpable results that benefit people and the environment.

Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
I’m a driven individual who just wants to do good for the environment while also building relationships along the way!

Check out Jordan's first internship group's website:  
https://flagstafflinkgleaninginitiative.food.blog/

​GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Mariah McGhee is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Maintenance Intern in cooperation with the BLM at the Phoenix District Office.
 
Mariah is from Kansas City, Missouri. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis on Forestry and a minor in Soils. She is the oldest of 4 and grew up in the city! Mariah enjoys a variety of activities that require her to be outside. These activities are hiking, exploring new places, shopping for succulents, and believe it or not mowing the lawn (a Midwest task)! She also competes in Crossfit competitions and it is a big part of her life.

Mariah values STEM education for many reasons, but mostly because STEM is the future. STEM education allows us to make connections between the classroom and the world around us to implement stability in the economy and continue to allow for sustained growth. Welcome to the team Mariah!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I heard about GEM’s service opportunity by searching Arizona Environmental opportunities. Upon finding the opportunity with GEM, I was super pleased with the mission and vision of this organization and applied immediately.
 
Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
My area of focus currently is on the trees and soils of the Midwest. I have been fortunate to have been exposed to a various of different stands in Missouri that consisted of tree identification, invasive removal, soil testing, stand area data, forest management plans and tons of Excel data sheets!
 
What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
My expectations involve being able to learn continuously. I would like to grow as a knowledgeable young scholar and professional while contributing meaningful work to an important organization. I know this internship will mold me into a successful Land Manager, while helping me better understand the industry, management practices, and the forest community. I believe working with GEM will allow me to positively impact the great outdoors while encouraging others from every background to learn better ways to care for our environment.
 
What are your career goals?
Being I have just graduated, my career goals temporarily include gaining experience and exposure to what I hope to one day permanently do which is to work in the field as a Forest Resource Manger and also be a face to help diversify Environmental Sciences all together. I hope to network with multiple different people and organizations that will help me continue to acquire knowledge and allow for hands-on experiences.

Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
I do plan to further my education and go on to earn my masters degree. I plan to stay in Arizona and have considered making sure I am on the right track to be eligible to obtain my degree from Northern Arizona University.
 
Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
In 2018, I worked as an intern with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri. With this organization our work was heavily focused on the Urban Forestry side of Forestry. This opportunity helped me understand what a consistent workday is like, and also exposed me to many new environmental methods, tactics and people who have been the industry for years that were able to provide valuable information over a variety of things.
 
 Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
I am pleased to have been chosen to be apart of this opportunity and very excited to meet others that share similar interests. I am also excited to work hard this summer on the tasks that are for us to complete, all while being in a different climate, topography and region!

GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Michael Branham is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Range Technician in cooperation with the BLM at the Lower Sonoran Field Office.

Michael is a 31 year old Arizona native. He likes to spend his free time outside. His favorite outdoor activities are fishing, exploring, gold panning/mineral hunting, and camping. He values STEM education because it gives him the educational background he needs to make sense of what he finds and sees in the wilderness. It has also instilled in him, the value and importance of it’s preservation and management. Welcome to the team Michael!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I was connected to GEM Environmental through my college geology professor Pamela Nelson at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona.

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
As I continue through my educational career, I find myself with interests towards cattle/rangeland management and long-term ecosystem sustainability. My intended focus will be the use and preservation of public lands and sustainable land use programs.

What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
I plan to gain as much practical work and field experience as I possibly can while participating with GEM. I also intend to represent the scientific community and the GEM organization to the highest standards possible while learning from active members of the scientific community.

What are your career goals?
My long term career goals are to be a Rangeland Manager for the BLM and/or participate in programs that focus on natural resource management and preservation.

Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
I plan to finish my undergraduate program at Arizona State University and want to graduate with a bachelors in Environmental Sciences. I hope to one day complete a graduate program from ASU and wish to contribute to the scientific community with the highest level of education possible.

Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I have not had prior experience with an internship before but I have previous professional experience with the BLM. That experience has led me to want to take any opportunity available to work with that organization again. My previous experience was a pleasant one that has made me want to gain full time employment with that organization in the scientific capacity.

Anything else you'd like to share about your work, yourself, or the STEM fields?
I am very excited and thrilled to become a member of the GEM Team. So far through my educational studies I have found that my pursuit of scientific knowledge and answers tends to lead to more questions and pursuits. Being a part of an organization such as GEM provides me the necessary tools and direction needed to continue my educational goals. For that I will be forever grateful. Thank you GEM I look forward to the positive experiences and relationships ahead.

GEM Environmental is excited to welcome one of our new members to the team! Zac White is one of our Youth Conservation Interns working as a Range Technician in cooperation with the BLM at the Hassayampa Field Office.
 
Zac was born and raised in Arizona and spent most of his childhood outside. He was a Boy Scout and felt lucky to have the opportunity to go and explore the state by camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming in beautiful parks and trails. This time outside gave him an appreciation for the natural world and piqued his interest in having a career studying and protecting it. Zac began his college education at Arizona State University as a 1st generation college student. At ASU he floated between majors in Biochemistry, Biology and Sustainability until he found his calling in Ecology. Taking classes in each of these STEM majors broadened his horizons on understanding nature, how we interact with it and how we can help protect it. He hopes to turn his love of nature into a career protecting it. Welcome to the team Zac!

How did you hear about this service opportunity?
I contacted the Bureau of Land Management to see if there were any volunteer opportunities in their organization to increase my experience and professional contacts. I got into contact with Lawrence who recommended me to apply for the internship here at GEM.

Please provide a brief description highlighting your work/area of focus.
I graduated ASU in 2019 with a degree in Applied Biology: Natural Resource Ecology. This degree focuses on the management and sustainable uses of resources of land such as timber, land usage and fisheries. During my undergrad I worked in the Lewis lab working under PhD student Jeff Haight studying the effects of urbanization on the wildlife in the greater Phoenix area. I also Interned with the Arizona Game and Fish Department working under the Wildlife division to monitor Flat Tailed Horned Lizards in the Yuma desert.

My area of interest is studying the effects of urbanization on wildlife communities and their changes over time. I want to further innovate and push new GIS and remote sensing technology to more effectively collect data, and model for future trends.

What do you plan to accomplish during your service term with GEM?
The primary reason I chose to apply for the GEM Youth Internship was the opportunity to gain professional work experience in the field that aligns with my career goals. I believe that academic knowledge is incomplete without being able to apply it in a professional role. I want to learn from experienced leaders that can show me how to excel in a federal agency and private sector environment. When I complete my internship I want to feel that I am competitive in the environmental science field. ASU's Ecology program was comparatively small compared to their Life Science programs cohort and there were few connections to be made with other students. By working with other students or recent graduates I hope to gain new connections with my co-interns.

What are your career goals?
My career goals are to find a position in a private or government entity that advocates for the preservation and sustainable use of our lands its resources. I would ultimately like to see myself leading a team to work on environmental projects and being able to work out in the field.

Do you plan to continue your education? If so, what programs or school are you looking into and what is the highest degree you plan to earn?
As of this moment, I am not looking to continue my education as I want to gain experience in the field. However, once if there are opportunities in the future to further my education, I would take the opportunity to earn a master’s degree. To further a career skill, I would get my master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems. To challenge myself I would pursue a MS in Biology and conduct my own research study in a topic dealing with urbanization.

Have you had any other internship or service opportunities before this? If so, how do you believe internships have benefited you so far?
I interned with the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the summer of 2019. This internship was a great opportunity to show me how a professional environmentalist position would be on a government level. I feel this position started me into the transitionary period from college student to young professional because of the work involved. Being a state employee wearing a state department uniform driving a state vehicle showed me how to act, speak, and present myself to a higher standard than I have been used to. I hope to take this experience from this previous internship and apply it when working with GEM and the BLM.

To learn more about Zac White check out his profile on LinkedIn.