Kinsey Blumenthal

Degree, Program, and date of graduation: MS in Geography. Expected graduation date May 2016

Dates of working with the WGD Program: August 2014 through May 2015

What work did you do with the WGD program?

"As GA for the WGD program I assisted with the various projects on which members of the WGD team are working. I predominately carried out literature review searches and took care of the basic components of the WGD discussion series (e.g. maintaining listserv, ordering food, booking the venue)."

Most exciting experience, interesting discovery, or connections made:

"The most interesting experience so far has been assisting with the process of responding to requests for proposals. It has also allowed me to learn about the complexities and inner workings of international development and interdisciplinary projects, as well as understanding the process and intricacies of obtaining project funding."

After-graduation plans:

"I am currently working on researching wetlands for my thesis. After graduating I would like to pursue a doctoral degree and work in natural resource monitoring and conservation using GIS and remote sensing."

How has the WGD program influenced your future?

"The work I have done this year has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for the complexities of human-environment interactions, especially with regards to gender issues. I think it is necessary that people outside the social sciences have an understanding of the importance of society and culture on human behavior, and therefore on human-environmental interactions. While my focuses and interests lay in a more technological direction with a focus on the environment, I will work to maintain and incorporate an awareness of local societies and cultures for proposed solutions to environmental concerns and troubleshooting subsequent issues that may arise."