Launched in 2022, this interdisciplinary initiative—coordinated by nearly 30 organizations—focuses on how large, severe wildfires jeopardize drinking water security in the Pacific Northwest. By examining wildfire impacts on forested watersheds, erosion, contamination, and water infrastructure, the project aims to equip forest and watershed managers with actionable scientific tools and data. It supports informed decision-making, strengthens community resilience, and helps safeguard clean drinking water across the region.

https://research.fs.usda.gov/pnw/projects/wildfire-water-security#overview

The RCN is focused on research sites and an interdisciplinary team of collaborators from twelve institutions in six countries along a Transect of the Americas, stretching from Alberta, Canada to Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. Each research site is viewed as a social-ecological system (SES) including both the headwaters (i.e., natural watersheds or hydro-climatic systems) and the downstream water use systems and the embedded social systems. My site is in Cuenca, Ecuador and I use this project as part of my dissertation to answer the question: How can community activism act as an active tool for producing and incorporating local knowledge? 

Helped plan and execute workshops pertaining to post-wildfire flood risk in the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico. My portion of the grant focused on the co-generation of an environmental data dashboard with members of the pueblo leadership. This project is part of my dissertation and works to answer the research question: How does the co-production of knowledge allow for more agency for marginalized groups? 

Conducted interviews and research on recovery following the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Wildfire in New Mexico. Questions centered on understanding institutional breakdowns and disconnects between state and federal response.

At the time of a volcanic crisis, the scientific community has the opportunity to advance fundamental understanding of volcanic systems. In order to develop a coordinated volcano science community to enhance scientific return following a volcanic eruption, the Community Network for Volcanic Eruption Response (CONVERSE) orchestrated a monogenetic volcanism response scenario exercise from February 4 to March 4, 2022. Over a hundred scientists from both academic and governmental spheres participated in this virtual tabletop scenario exercise. My role was to observe and help in the analysis of qualitative data that concerned the actual planning and execution of the workshop itself. 

Assisted with detailed site analysis, including background research about future research case studies, identifying local stakeholders for qualitative interviews, literature review, developing qualitative interview guides, and conducting qualitative interviews during site visits. Sites visited include communities around Cameron and Galveston Counties along the Texas Gulf Coast. I use this project as part of my dissertation to answer the question: What role do community groups and neighborhood organizations play in co-producing knowledge and in flood response?