Grace is senior at the University of Michigan, pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Program in the Environment and minoring in Computer Science. As a Program Assistant for the U-M Water Center, Grace supports a network of agriculture professionals to supply the technical resources needed for producers to implement precision nutrient management practices in the Western Lake Erie Basin, building upon past work from the Water Center to reduce phosphorus levels in Michigan’s tributaries to Lake Erie. 

Grace is particularly interested in agronomy and aquatic and water systems, drawing on her technical data analysis and programming skills to explore the relationship between agricultural practices and the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on aquatic life and ecosystem health, as well as water quality for human uses. She is seeking opportunities to explore the application of Geographic Information Systems tools to manage and analyze spatial data for water resource management, including tracking water quality, monitoring environmental impacts, and assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems. 

Grace brings a varied background to her current role, with previous experience as a Research Assistant in environmental policy, in which she conducted survey outreach to assess state legislators’ perceptions of public opinion, as well as involvement in building and maintaining large contact databases, stakeholder outreach, and digital communication. Through this, Grace is committed to connecting science, policy, and public engagement to drive meaningful, lasting impact.