Research Interns

Associates

Kate Bird, Researcher and Analyst

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Christy Cunnington, Researcher and Analyst

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Walker Holmes, Researcher and Analyst

Walker Holmes is a researcher and analyst for the GIC. Ms. Holmes has served as a land protection intern for the South Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and she also taught outdoor education and Latin at The Mountain School of Milton Academy. Ms. Holmes also works with E² Inc. on communications outreach, training development, strategic planning, policy analysis, development of decision support tools, and editing. She is involved in a number of projects focusing on the redevelopment of environmentally impaired properties, the incorporation of site reuse considerations into the regulatory process, and the ecological and recreational benefits of contaminated site reuse. Prior to joining E² Inc., Ms. Holmes received her bachelor's degree in Latin and Greek language and literature from Dartmouth College.

Amanda Knoff, Environmental Scientist

Amanda Knoff, Ph.D., is an environmental scientist with the GIC and has experience applying in-field research, data collection, and analysis to the technical study of coastal marine and wetland conservation issues.  Previous research has included analyses of trophic dynamics in coastal Virginia and population dynamics of threatened marine mammals along the Eastern coast of the United States. In addition, Dr. Knoff has experience communicating technical issues and facilitating understanding of these issues by a wide array of audiences, including presentation of research findings at 14 academic conferences, development and presentation of technical trainings, and outreach to school classrooms.  As Deputy Program Manager for a contract with the Office of Underground Storage Tanks and Work Assignment Manager for a Hazard Ranking System Superfund contract, Dr. Knoff has a broad understanding of technical issues related to water quality, ground and surface water processes, fate and transport of contaminants in water, and the effects of these contaminants on habitats, plants, and animals.  Dr. Knoff has a doctorate and a master’s degree in environmental sciences and a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Rob Kurtz, Programmer

Rob Kurtz conducts computer modeling and database systems services for the GIC.  He has been managing, programming, and analyzing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and databases since 2001 for organizations such as, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Albemarle County Service Authority, and E² Inc. His duties have included automating processing and improving the accessibility and presentation of data. Additionally, his experience includes participation in such diverse projects as the creation of forest cover maps from remotely sensed data (satellite and aerial imagery), and the creation of a project management database.  Mr. Kurtz received a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia in 2001.

Miranda Maupin

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Hagai Nassau, Researcher and Analyst

Hagai Nassau is a researcher and analyst with the GIC and has a degree in biology from the College of William and Mary. He is also involved in a variety of E² Inc. projects, including calculating the local economic impacts of environmental cleanups, devising tools to estimate economic benefits, and preparing environmental assessment documentation.

Clare Patterson, Systems Engineer

Clare Patterson is a systems engineer with a specialty in invasive plant species. She has also worked for a variety of organizations including the City of Boulder Parks Conservation Department and The Nature Conservancy. Currently, Ms. Patterson is also involved in a variety of E² Inc. projects. She received a bachelor’s degree in systems and information engineering, and a minor in economics from the University of Virginia. While at UVA, Ms. Patterson worked with the Center of Risk Management and co-published a paper on hurricane recovery.

Catherine Pettit, Researcher and Analyst

Catherine Pettit is a researcher and analyst for the GIC. She also works with E² Inc. and is involved in policy research and analysis, communications outreach, developing decision support tools, and editing. Ms. Pettit has also worked in education and politics. She received her bachelor’s degree in German language and literature from the University of Virginia.

Matt Robbie, Environmental Planner & GIS Analyst

Matt Robbie is a geographer, environmental planner and GIS analyst with GIC. He has six years experience in community and environmental planning.  Working with organizations, local, state, and federal governments, he has developed land-use planning strategies for the restoration, protection, and preservation of scenic roads and byways, national heritage corridors and former industrial properties. 

Mr. Robbie also works with E² Inc. as an associate planner on the Community Planning and Design Team to assist communities in developing reuse strategies for Superfund sites and environmentally impaired properties. Prior to joining E² Inc., he worked as a graduate associate at the University of Virginia's Institute for Environmental Negotiation, coordinating a community watershed-planning project in Fairfax County, Virginia. He has also worked as an assistant planner in landscape architecture firms in Middlebury, VT, and Providence, RI. He received his master's degree in Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and his bachelor of arts in geography from the University of Vermont.

Krissy Russell-Hedstrom, Environmental Scientist

Krissy Russell-Hedstrom, Ph.D., is an environmental scientist with the GIC and IAP2 certified in public participation. She has taught chemistry and environmental science at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado, where she also directed the school's recycling program and served as science department chair. She has also worked as a field science and outdoor education instructor at the Gore Range Natural Science School in Red Cliff, Colorado. Dr. Russell-Hedstrom received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1994, an M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in 1997, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in 2002. Her graduate research focused on wet and dry nitrogen deposition to sensitive waterbodies on the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast and she has published her findings in several research journals.

Pei-Jen Shaner, Environmental Planner and GIS Modeler

Pei-Jen Shaner, Ph.D., is an environmental scientist and database and systems analyst with the GIC. Dr. Shaner has more than 12 years combined experience in research, analysis and applications programming in support of environmental and natural resource management and planning.  Primary areas of her expertise include research design, GIS analysis and modeling, data compilation and synthesis, applications and Website development, and database design and management.   Dr. Shaner is also the Information Technology Manager for E² Inc. Prior to her current position, she worked as the IT Manager for the Virginia State Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Natural Heritage, overseeing Virginia’s state-wide green infrastructure modeling project.  In addition to her professional experience in IT and GIS, she also had extensive experience conducting field work for universities and research institutions in the field of wildlife ecology and natural resources management, such as regional biodiversity inventory (GIS-based approach) and wildlife habitat assessment for conservation planning and human-wildlife conflict management. She received her Ph.D. in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. She also has an M.S. from National Dong-Hwa University's Institute of Natural Resources, Taiwan, and earned her Bachelor of Law from National Taiwan University.

Treat Suomi, Environmental Economist

Treat Suomi is an environmental economist with the GIC and has a diverse background with a strong foundation in environmental and agricultural economics. She also works with E² Inc. on a variety of environmental economics projects. Additionally, she has worked as an economist and researcher in the public sector dealing with environmental, agricultural, and labor issues. Ms. Suomi earned her M.S. in agricultural and resource economics from the University of Maryland and her B.S. in agricultural and resource economics with a minor in soil science from the University of Arizona.

James Wilkinson, Researcher, Editor and Land Use Planner

James Wilkinson is a researcher, editor, and land use planner with the GIC.  Mr. Wilkinson has nine years of experience and leads E² Inc.'s Community Planning and Design Team, which provides technical support to communities as they generate and evaluate options for reuse planning and land revitalization initiatives for environmentally impaired properties. Since 2001, the Team has worked with nine EPA Regions and 57 communities on 60 Superfund sites across the country.  He has visited, managed, and served as a researcher, trainer, and facilitator at most of these sites. Mr. Wilkinson has a master's degree from the University of Virginia in Urban and Environmental Planning; he also has an M.A. in American Literature from Cambridge University and a BA in English and History from the College of William and Mary. Prior to joining E² Inc., Mr. Wilkinson worked as a journalist, a freelance editor, and as a writer for the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia.

Johnny Zimmerman-Ward, Field Technician

Johnny Zimmerman-Ward is a field technician for the GIC. She is also involved in a variety of projects with E² Inc. including website management, conference support, and research and data analysis. Additionally, Ms. Zimmerman-Ward has worked as a program specialist at a team and leadership development consulting firm. Ms. Zimmerman-Ward received a B.S. in environmental science from the University of Virginia.