An urban health scientist studies how urban environments affect the health of people living in urban areas.
Curiosity, critical thinking, and dedication to learning from diverse topics and viewpoints contribute the most to my career.
How do new greening projects affect the health and safety of nearby residents? Greening projects usually involve replacing concrete, pavement, and weeds with maintained trees and vegetation.
I use mapping software called geographic information systems (GIS) to map greening projects in a location. GIS also helps me compare changes in nearby health and safety information over time. I also use health-trackers. Health-trackers collect information about a person’s location and about a person’s body, like heart rate or blood pressure.
My research found that small greening projects can reduce nearby crime and reduce stress for nearby residents.
When I was younger, I was not taught to believe I could become a scientist. Following my interests, and the belief that I had a right to a higher education, has brought me to where I am now.
