Megan Sebasky Email & Phone Number

Charlottesville, Va, Us

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Madison, Wisconsin Area

• Coordinated with a wide range of state, private, federal, non-profit, and local organizations throughout a 20-state region encompassing the Northeast-Midwest U.S. to identify and engage fire practitioners and ecologists for local knowledge input• Gathered local expert feedback and translating it to improvements on a large and complex set of geospatial datasets mapping vegetation and fuels across the country, called LANDFIRE• Leveraged an in-depth understanding of LANDFIRE’s extremely… Show more • Coordinated with a wide range of state, private, federal, non-profit, and local organizations throughout a 20-state region encompassing the Northeast-Midwest U.S. to identify and engage fire practitioners and ecologists for local knowledge input• Gathered local expert feedback and translating it to improvements on a large and complex set of geospatial datasets mapping vegetation and fuels across the country, called LANDFIRE• Leveraged an in-depth understanding of LANDFIRE’s extremely complex mapping process, which begins with mapping vegetation from models using remote sensing, training data, and biophysical spatial datasets to teach managers with no geospatial experience enough to understand and interact with the data• Managed my own projects and time to meet the above goals, often with several collaborators, volunteers, and a direct report• Managed the activities and budget of the $300,000 federal grant and 50% match that supports my position• Conducted fire ecology research in the field, lab, and electronically through GIS and data analysis programs• Led the hiring process for direct report and supervise staff to assist with complex GIS tasks• Acted as the technical expert for the entire 20 Northeast-Midwest states on Quantitative Wildfire Risk Assessment (QWRA)• Led the development of an endangered butterfly’s new High Potential Range Map for the WI DNR’s Natural Heritage program• Led the Northeast Regional Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Committee’s LANDFIRE working group• Led the logistics for setting up three meetings throughout the 20 states to gather local expert opinion for current QWRA by USFS• See more here: https://bit.ly/2m0nKcb Show less

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Leesburg, Va

Provided innovative solutions for complex natural resource and environmental issues as a consultant to industry, government, and regulatory bodies. • Utilized geospatial and data technologies to support ecological risk assessments of agronomic chemicals and consumer product ingredients nationally and internationally, including impacts to surface water, groundwater, soils, and endangered species• Conducted simulation modeling of chemical fate incorporating the best available science to… Show more Provided innovative solutions for complex natural resource and environmental issues as a consultant to industry, government, and regulatory bodies. • Utilized geospatial and data technologies to support ecological risk assessments of agronomic chemicals and consumer product ingredients nationally and internationally, including impacts to surface water, groundwater, soils, and endangered species• Conducted simulation modeling of chemical fate incorporating the best available science to develop defensible, quantitative, and repeatable simulations related to the efficacy of different chemical application/management options• Collected and managed large, national spatial and tabular datasets for complex analyses using MS Access and SQL• Served as technical lead for endangered species habitat modeling projects• Learned and trained others to use ArcGIS Online and Web AppBuilder to deliver interactive products to clients• Created automated geospatial processing models utilizing ArcGIS Model Builder and Python• Led the adaptation of matrix population models for pesticide risk assessment using the R programming language• Promoted from staff to project-level in January 2017 for taking initiative to manage projects and exceeding expectations Show less

Leesburg, Va

Charlottesville, Va

• Used GIS and statistical analyses to determine how environmental factors affect the outcome of prescribed fires in Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

• Used species distribution modeling (through GIS) and population genetic approaches to investigate the range expansion of the widespread and invasive bladder campion, Silene vulgaris • Teaching assistant for two laboratory sections of Introduction to Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory (Fall 2012, 2013) and Introduction to Biology: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Laboratory (Spring 2013, 2014)

Charlottesville, Va

• Used GIS tools to assess crop suitability in Mozambique under different climate change scenarios as part of a larger planning project for the country in collaboration with Dobbin International

Waltham, Ma

Supported the development and implementation of drinking water rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as a contractor to the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water.• Conducted research and prepare high priority documents for the EPA• Performed extensive GIS analyses and create high quality maps for clients and reports• Managed other Cadmus staff to facilitate efficient data collection and reports• Worked on many projects concurrently, creating high priority and high quality… Show more Supported the development and implementation of drinking water rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as a contractor to the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water.• Conducted research and prepare high priority documents for the EPA• Performed extensive GIS analyses and create high quality maps for clients and reports• Managed other Cadmus staff to facilitate efficient data collection and reports• Worked on many projects concurrently, creating high priority and high quality deliverables requiring quick turn-around• Promoted in May 2011; awarded two spot bonuses for high quality work and exceeding expectations Show less

• Conducted a GIS-based research project on the habitat of the mountain monkey flower, Mimulus tilingii• Created a predictive habitat model using the point locations and predictor variable layers• Contributed to future population sampling of M. tilingii and the identification of key environmental factors affecting the species distribution• Presented findings at Evolution 2010 conference in Portland, OregonPoster available online here:… Show more • Conducted a GIS-based research project on the habitat of the mountain monkey flower, Mimulus tilingii• Created a predictive habitat model using the point locations and predictor variable layers• Contributed to future population sampling of M. tilingii and the identification of key environmental factors affecting the species distribution• Presented findings at Evolution 2010 conference in Portland, OregonPoster available online here: https://blog.richmond.edu/tlookingbill/files/2010/11/megan_urresearchsymposiumposter.pdfBlog post about this research project here: https://blog.richmond.edu/sal/2013/11/04/identify-2-wu-sebasky/ Show less

• Conducted research on coal seam gas and water use in coal mining in Queensland • Presented results to Six Degrees campaign group

• Helped students with the Campus Accessibility Mapping Project in and outside of class• Wrote instructions on specific tasks necessary for the project (how to use GPS units, digitizing, etc.)

• Chosen to be one of six biofuels research fellows through the Research Experience for Undergraduates program (REU)• Conducted own field research project to assess the ecosystem services in burned and unburned prairies• Used an additive radii alteration of a Whittaker Plot design to conduct sampling on species richness, percentage of native species, and abundance of flowers • Research was used to assess the sustainability of mixed prairies as a biofuel• Presented findings at a… Show more • Chosen to be one of six biofuels research fellows through the Research Experience for Undergraduates program (REU)• Conducted own field research project to assess the ecosystem services in burned and unburned prairies• Used an additive radii alteration of a Whittaker Plot design to conduct sampling on species richness, percentage of native species, and abundance of flowers • Research was used to assess the sustainability of mixed prairies as a biofuel• Presented findings at a professional poster session Show less

• Worked for Dr. John Warner, founder of Green Chemistry and first “Green” PhD program in the U.S.• Research assistant for graduate students in Green Chemistry• Helped with outreach programs at schools in Lowell• Wrote and edited lab instructions for teachers and students

Master'S Degree, Biology - Ecology And Evolution

Bachelor Of Science, Magna Cum Laude, Environmental Studies, Biology

Activities and Societies: GreenUR - member and co-president, Build It - volunteer and Action Group member, Beta Beta Beta National.