2010 Scholars & Interns

Micah Van Alstyne, Texas A&M University
Micah currently works as an intern for the Environmental group managing large amounts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. He also helps create maps using ESRI software for the staff at HARC. Micah’s primary job is to update legacy mapping applications that are located on the HARC servers with new data and the latest technology. Micah is a 2010 graduate of Texas A&M University (B.S. Spatial Sciences) and will return to A&M this fall to earn a Master’s degree in Urban Planning.  Mentor: Zach Vernon

Chung-Sheng Chen, University of Houston
Chun-Sheng Chen works in the Air Quality Group at HARC to conduct the data mining analysis for the air quality data. He also integrates new air quality data sets into the Air Research Information Infrastructure (ARII). ARII is a web-based application (http://www.airhoustontx.org) that uses Google Map technology to share the air quality data to the public through the Internet.  Chun-Sheng received his B.S. and M.S. in mineral and petroleum engineering from the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and M.S. in computer science from the University of Houston. He is currently a PhD candidate in computer science at the University of Houston.

Ian Fitch, University of Texas at Austin
Ian Fitch is a Research Intern working with Dr. Pris Weeks on a TPWD funded project to determine the social drivers and decision processes which contribute to the release of invasive animals into Texas waters. Data for this project will be collected using a customized dynamic web survey application I am developing, deployed through social networking sites such as facebook. Ian has a BA in sociology and anthropology from UT.  He is currently completing his thesis work for an MA in sociology at UH.

Natalie M. Kennelley, Northwestern University

Thomas Haight, College of Santa Fe
Thomas Haight received a B.A. in Conservation Studies from the College of Santa Fe in 2009.   He previously worked as a biological technician in wildlife management for the USDA Forest Service.  Thomas is currently working with Dr. Eric Biltonen on economic valuation methods for a variety of ecosystem services, especially those pertaining to the Texas gulf coast area, primarily through reviews of pertinent literature, which is then catalogued into an excel database.

Zach McKee, University of Houston
Zach's internship included reorganization of the Environmentally Friendly Drilling Program web site  as well as in depth research and reports on hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry.  Zach has attended the FAA Academy at Minneapolis Technical College and the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in Business, Infrastructure Assurance.  He is currently attending the University of Houston School of Technology.  Mentors: Rich Haut & Krist Bender

Hari Krishna Uggin,
Hari Krishna Uggini is a research intern at the Gulf Coast Clean Energy Application Center for summer 2010. He works with Daniel Bullock, Umamaheswar Krishnan & Ross Tomlin to make Energy Savings Calculations for CHP along with building customized spreadsheets for Screening and Detailed analysis of various Cogeneration initiatives. During the course of his internship, Hari will also be preparing presentations on various space types, updating website content and a case study on UT, Austin’s CHP plant. After receiving his B.E (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences in India, Hari is currently pursuing his M.S.(Thesis) in Mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Apart from coursework, he is working on this Master’s thesis “NOx reduction using animal biomass as Reburn fuel” under Dr. Kalyan Annamalai along with part-time work as a Student Technician for the Physical Plant at Texas A&M. With a strong desire to make mechanical devices more efficient, Hari plans a career in the field of Energy where application of mechanical engineering principles to improve efficiency go together.

Omah M. Williams, Texas A&M University
Omah M. Williams is a doctoral student in the multicultural education program in the College of Education, Teaching Learning and Culture Department at Texas A&M University. Additionally, she is a research graduate assistant in the College of Science, Center for Math and Science Education at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, USA. Interested in Science Education, she has aspirations to help decrease science achievement deficits experienced by many students of color. Prior to becoming a full-time doctoral student, she worked as an education specialist, instructional coordinator, and science teacher. She has written curriculum products for grades K - 8, wrote and managed a Texas Regional Collaborative grant, coached and mentored science teachers, and designed/implemented science professional development for grade K - 8 Science teachers. Her teaching philosophy embodies a style that exudes caring, passion, hands-on learning, and the valuing of the background knowledge of all students. While she can be reached by e-mail at owillia2@tamu.edu, you may follow the progress of her travels to South Africa by checking the Center for Urban School Partnerships Website and Blog, http://www.cehd.tamu.edu/articles/south_africa_conference.