Erica Carcelen

ericacarcelen@gmail.com | 205-789-9544 | www.ericacarcelen.weebly.com

SUMMARY
Recent graduate with experience applying GIS and remote sensing for environmental research. I am an analytical
person who enjoys data processing and visualization. I am a team-player and love to learn new skills. My career goal
is to utilize GIS and geospatial methods to better understand systems and create products to inform resource
management. Currently seeking opportunities to gain professional experience in the environmental sector.

EDUCATION
CLARK UNIVERSITY – Worcester, MA May 2019
Master of Science, Geographic Information Science for Development and Environment
• Cumulative GPA: 3.96 of 4.00
• Courses: Advanced Vector GIS, Advanced Raster GIS, Python Programming for GIS, Intermediate Quantitative
Methods, GIS and Land Change Models, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Habitat Modelling

RHODES COLLEGE – Memphis, TN May 2017

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science and Biology
• Cum Laude; Cumulative GPA: 3.52 of 4.00
• Courses: Introduction to GIS, Computer Science I, Virology/Immunology, Applied Statistics, Biology I and II

SKILLS
Language: Intermediate Spanish
Technical: Technical writing, Technical support, Data management, Data analysis, Data visualization
Programming: Python, R, JavaScript
Software: ESRI ArcGIS (ArcPro, ArcMap, ArcCatalog, Online), Idrisi TerrSet, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, Google
Earth, Microsoft Office

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SCIENCE, SYSTEMS, AND APPLICATIONS, INC. – Pasadena, CA September 2019 – April 2020
NASA DEVELOP GIS Analyst
• Conducted research in a team of analysts to address environmental questions geospatially and build capacity
of end-user clients to find geospatial solutions.
• Developed a workflow to study the relationship between land cover type and water availability in Panama for
the Panama Ministry of Environment.
• Designed and coded a tool in Google Earth Engine to automate wetland mapping in the Great Lakes Basin for
Ducks Unlimited, EPA Office of Research and Development, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
and US FWS National Wetlands Inventory.
• Prepared technical reports, professional maps, tutorials, and presentations to communicate results to partners
and end-user clients.
• Interfaced regularly with end-user clients to understand their requirements and ensure products could be used
to inform end-user management and decision-making practices.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DYNAMIC WORLD – Remote August – December 2019

Independent Consultant
• Interpreted imagery to add to an online database of training polygons for a global land cover classification.

CLARK UNIVERSITY – Worcester, MA August – December 2018

Teaching Assistant
• Taught weekly lab sessions with 29 students for Introduction to GIS, reviewing topics for lab assignments.
• Provided students with technical support related to running geospatial analyses, processing geospatial data,
and modifying GIS databases for assignments and final projects.
• Reviewed lab assignments and exams and entered grades in an online database.

ALTEA’S EATERY – Worcester, MA October 2017 – July 2018

Server
• Provided a full dining service to a section of 3-6 tables. Maintained balance of fast customer turn-over and
quality customer service.
 • Multi-tasked to greet customers, take orders, make drink orders, ensure orders were correctly fulfilled, deliver
food and drink, process payments, clean tables, and set tables for the next customer.
• Developed leadership and communication skills through working with a team of servers, kitchen staff, and
management.

RHODES COLLEGE – Memphis, TN January 2016 – May 2017

GIS Laboratory Student Associate
• Provided students with GIS technical support related to data processing and geospatial analysis.
• Located free data resources online for students to utilize in projects.
• Managed the day-to-day activities of the GIS lab, under the supervision of the GIS faculty member.

BELLY ACRES – Memphis, TN June 2015 – July 2017

Shift Leader
• Provided a full dining service to a section of 3-6 tables. Maintained balance of fast customer turn-over and
quality customer service.
• Multi-tasked to greet customers, take orders, make drink orders, ensure orders were correctly fulfilled, deliver
food and drink, process payments, clean tables, and set tables for the next customer.
• Developed leadership and communication skills through working with a team of servers, kitchen staff, and
management.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
CLARK GIS CONSULTING: TRENDS IN RANGELAND CONDITIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR BISON
REINTRODUCTION TO MONTANA January – May 2019
• Consulted for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to evaluate partners for bison reintroduction in Montana.
• Created a database of management units derived from parcel data summarizing measures of bison habitat
suitability and vegetation quality.
• Prepared a report and gave oral presentations to WCS staff and the 2019 Society for Conservation GIS
Conference.

GRADUATE THESIS: ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF GOLD MINING DEFORESTATION ON THE GIANT OTTER
(PTERONURA BRASILIENSIS) IN MADRE DE DIOS, PERU May 2018 - May 2019
• Researched, extracted data sets, and combined advanced geospatial models to identify priority areas based on
key habitat and risk to deforestation.
• Prepared a professional technical report and presented a poster at the 2019 Association of American
Geographer’s Annual Conference.

NSF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) June – August 2016

• Conducted field research with Dr.Martina Nagy at the La Selva Biological Station on greater sac-winged bat
(Saccopteryx bilineata) roosting behavior.
• Surveyed locations to identify and characterize greater sac-winged bat roosts.
• Caught and handled bats for data collection using mist nets.
• Prepared a project proposal, technical report, presentation, and poster. Presented my poster at the Council on
Undergraduate Research 2016 REU Symposium.

MEMPHIS ZOO RESEARCH STUDENT June 2015 – May 2017

• Conducted animal behavior research as a summer fellow with Dr. Sarah Boyle at the Memphis Zoo.
• Utilized ethograms and ArcGIS software to create maps capturing how various mammals utilized their
enclosure.
• Researched background information and collected behavioral data for the long-term elephant and hippo
projects and established the fishing cat and meerkat projects.