Community Action for Resilience and Equity (CARE) Lab

Directed by Qian He, PhD, AICP at the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, Rowan University

Meet the CARE Lab team!

Sean Olcese

Sean Olcese is a Graduate Research Fellow in the CARE Lab. Sean is working on assessing the fiscal impacts of sea-level rise through parcel-level analyses of inundation and isolation risk in Maryland and New Jersey, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). His previous work, funded by the EPA, included census-tract level analyses of the Philadelphia–Camden metropolitan area, examining relationships between poor air quality, historic redlining, and the built environment. He is on track to graduate in Spring 2026 with a B.S. in GIS and a B.A. in Geography, along with minors in computer science and mathematics, and expects to complete an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) in 2027. Sean is passionate about environmentalism, sustainability, and cartography, and aims to use his training to advance equitable approaches to climate adaptation and resilience.

Pronouns: he/him

Vignan Ganji

Vignan Ganji is a Graduate Research Assistant in the CARE lab. Vignan works on examining the social justice and built environmental implication of EV charging stations within Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area and Philadelphia. Vignan is pursuing a M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning and is expected to graduate in the spring of 2025. He comes from a strong background in the field, holding a M.S. in Architecture and Planning, and has 3 years of applied planning experience in India. Vignan is interested in utilizing mapping and GIS to explore relationships between humans and geography. Outside of his career, Vignan considers himself an old-school style enjoyer of vintage cars. He enjoys exploring nature, new music, experimenting with photography and exploring new places.

Pronouns: he/him

Shreya Nalla

Shreya Nalla is a Graduate Research Assistant in the CARE lab. Shreya is conducting an in-depth assessments of state and local-led climate action plans as part of the New Jersey State Plan Impact Assessment Project funded by NJ State Office of Planning Advocacy. Shreya is an aspiring GIS Specialist and Urban Planner and is deeply passionate about environmental protection and climate change initiatives. Shreya’s strong background facilitates these goals: as an undergraduate, she worked as a research associate for her college, the Administrative Staff College of India. She also represented her college for NOSPlan, a national student planning organization. Looking forward, Shreya is expected to graduate from Rowan University with a M.S. in Urban and Regional planning in the spring of 2026. Outside of her career interests, Shreya enjoys gardening and spending time in nature.

Pronouns: she/her

Noah Bilgrav

Noah Bilgrav is an undergraduate research assistant in the CARE lab. Noah is working on examining the impact of sea level rise and coastal flooding on the tax revenue and fiscal health of municipalities close to the coast. This project is being funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Set to graduate in the Fall of 2025 with a B.S. in Community and Environmental Planning, Noah is combining his interests in climate-related studies and policy with his academic skills and tools acquired throughout his time at Rowan University. In his free time, Noah enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Pronouns: he/him

Previous CARE Lab Members:

Raven Vijayakumar

Raven Vijayakumar is an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the CARE lab. Raven assisted Nathalie with the revision and distribution of the transit survey. He works on data collection and creating maps using GIS for the student transit study. Raven has a passion for GIS, conservation ecology and community science. He developed a strong connection with nature through experiencing its wonders, which is why he is passionate about fostering and strengthening connections between people and the environment. He enjoys being involved on Rowan’s campus and is currently part of RUSPO, REAL and the SCCA. Raven is currently a junior working towards graduating in May 2026, with a B.A. in Environmental & Sustainability Studies (ESS) and a B.S. in Geographic Information Science (GIS).

Pronouns: he/him

Nathalie Calvachi Garcia

Nathalie Calvachi is an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the CARE lab. Nathalie leads the CARE lab’s Rowan Student Transit Accessibility survey - where she has assisted with the development and release of the survey. Nathalie is an enthusiastic and accomplished student graduating from Rowan University in December 2024, with a B.S. in Geographic Information Science (GIS), and a minor in Civil Engineering. She will also earn certificates in transportation engineering and Land Development. Nathalie strives to create a resilient future for the transportation industry and aspires to increase the accessibility of transportation services to the public. As a woman in STEM, Nathalie strongly believes in advocating for women in STEM. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling.

Pronouns: she/her

Ciara Wenger, B.S., MURP

Ciara Wenger worked as a graduate research assistant in the CARE Lab in the Spring 2024 semester. Ciara graduated in May 2024, earning a M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Sustainability. Ciara conducted literature reviews pertaining to transportation accessibility and resilience of transportation systems. Ciara has had a deep connection with nature from a very young age, having grown up in Sandy Hook, NJ, and she aspires to protect nature with a career incorporating sustainability, land conservation and environmental planning.

Pronouns: she/her

Cedric Gadie, B.A.

Cedric Gadie worked as an Undergraduate Research Intern in CARE Lab during the Spring 2024 semester. He assisted Nathalie with surveying and data collection. Cedric analyzed the data he and Nathalie collected and wrote about the implications of transportation services on students’ well-being and academic success. Cedric graduated in May 2024, with a B.A. in Environmental & Sustainability Studies, with a strong aspiration to create positive change as he continues to work in the field of sustainability and planning. Cedric is interested in athletics and likes to spend his free time working out.

Pronouns: he/him

CARE Lab sharing information and promoting our Rowan University Student Transit and Shuttle Access Study Survey at the Chamberland Student Center (11/21/2024). Photo credit: Qian He

CARE Lab group meeting (1/30/2024). Photo credit: Qian He

Interested in joining as a Research Team member?

Please email your resume, skillsets, and research interests to Dr. Qian He. We are only accepting RA applications from students at Rowan University.

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