2021 Sea Level Sensor & UrbanHeatATL Interns

Reyla Ponder

“I wanted to join a cohort of diverse individuals who are passionate about solving the issues of climate change and environmental justice through STEM. I am hoping to gain more knowledge about community – building in urban communities and enhance my programming and data-analysis skills on the project.

Maya Neal

“I find that often on projects at the urban scale you are working with a variety of experts each from different backgrounds and skills. As a designer, I chose to join this project not only to learn more about Atlanta’s issue with Urban Heat Islands but to learn from my cohort, and partners on the project.”

Sabrina Johnson

“I joined UrbanHeatATL because I wanted to combine my passion for environmental justice with real hands-on research…. As an environmental science major, climate change issues are a part of my everyday studies, but this is a local issue that I won’t just be studying, but actually fighting, educating, and working towards a solution!”

Yasamin Khorashahi

“I am hoping that through this experience I will be able to grow my understanding of sustainable urban development and climate change in the context of urban heat islands. I am pursuing a career in urban planning, so the lessons I can learn from this experience can help me design more sustainable cities.”

Alex Ip

“I joined the team because I grew up by the (other side of) the Pacific and I miss the sea! I am also planning a career switch to science writing so I’m using this experience to tell stories about the delicate relationship of coastal Georgians, and the sea that has nurtured but is now threatening to swallow them.”

Sadica Murphy

“Deciding to join this project was a simple decision… I wanted to apply my public health and health equity knowledge as a Health Science major at Spelman College to assist with reducing weather-related health issues in the Metro Atlanta Area.”

Mark Leggiero

“I feel that I have been given a unique opportunity to work on human-centered projects which aid in local and international settings…this summer I will be working on developing and implementing novel air quality sensors in and around Chatham County and Atlanta.”

Elizabeth Karivelil

“From the UrbanHeatATL Internship experience, I hope to meet other individuals who are passionate about taking climate-change action by utilizing research and data analysis to form connections between the urban environment and human activities.”

Austin Ang

“I joined the project because I formerly worked on the sea level sensors in high school and wanted to recontribute to the project with some of the knowledge I gained in college. I am hoping to further my software engineering skills and to make a difference in my community while doing so.”

Noelle Lambert

“I have been looking for ways to engage with environmental research on a deeper level, and the Sea Level Sensors Internship through Serve Learn Sustain seemed perfect… My role transcribing interviews and assisting with the research process will give me a more focused insight into how global warming impacts our local communities.”

Meaghan McSorley

“I admire the ways that the SSLS project has partnered with the local community and am excited to play a role in deepening this engagement…we must respect and honor the wisdom, knowledge, and experience they bring to the table. Only then will we develop meaningful solutions to climate change.”