Skip to content

Samples

Overview

This collection of applied research projects spans air and water quality, climate policy, and ecological accounting. Through data-driven analysis, remote sensing, and policy evaluation, each study explores sustainable development challenges and proposes actionable solutions for decision-makers, urban planners, and environmental managers.

Program: Columbia University, MS in Sustainability Science (2020–2021)

PM2.5 in NYC Subway System: Air Quality Analysis

  • Focus: Measuring underground air pollution in NYC subway lines using low-cost sensors.
  • Devices: PurpleAir, UPAS, Temptop.
  • Findings:
    • Average PM2.5 = 105 µg/m³ (vs. 6.55 µg/m³ outdoors).
    • Many stations exceed EPA 24-hr standard (35 µg/m³).
    • Commuters and workers face significant health risks.
  • Recommendation: Build a sensor network and revise ventilation policy.

Water Confidence Index (WCI)

  • Focus: A composite index ranking U.S. public water systems on compliance and reporting transparency.
  • Method: EPA SDWIS/ECHO data (2011–2020), normalized into Environmental Compliance + Truthful Reporting scores.
  • Top States: Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan
  • Bottom States: Texas, California, Mississippi
  • Applications: Infrastructure funding prioritization, public trust, environmental justice.

Coastal Wetland Eutrophication (Gulf Coast)

  • Focus: Evaluating how wetlands vs. urbanized coasts impact harmful algal blooms (HABs).
  • Method: MODIS-Aqua (2005–2020) and Landsat 8 chlorophyll-a anomaly analysis.
  • Findings:
    • Wetlands reduced bloom severity by ~14% in high-bloom years.
    • Urban areas showed higher chlorophyll and nutrient loading.
  • Implication: Coastal wetland restoration can mitigate eutrophication and climate risk.

Breaking the Carbon Budget: Accounting for Natural Capital

  • Focus: Redefining economic development by valuing natural capital and reallocating the global carbon budget.
  • Themes: Paris Agreement compliance, natural vs. human capital, equity in emissions reductions.
  • Key Insights:
    • Natural capital accounts for nearly 50% of wealth in low-income nations.
    • Few countries (e.g., Morocco, The Gambia) align with 1.5°C targets.
    • Policy must shift from short-term growth to ecosystem investment and capital rebalancing.

Common Threads

Theme Description
Environmental Justice Low-income or vulnerable groups often bear disproportionate environmental harm.
Data for Decision-Making All projects use empirical data to build actionable metrics or insights.
Systems Thinking Interconnectedness between economy, environment, and health is emphasized.
Equity & Policy Reform Equity-based frameworks proposed for emissions, infrastructure, and resource allocation.

Skills Demonstrated

  • Environmental indicators and composite index design
  • Remote sensing (MODIS, Landsat), GIS, and anomaly analysis
  • Public health impact modeling
  • Sustainable development policy review
  • Communication of technical findings to policymakers and public stakeholders