Description
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment Ann Arbor, MI, USA
– Master of Science (MS), Natural Resources and Environment, GPA 3.746/4.0 Aug 2015 – Apr 2017 (exp)
Specializations: Conservation Ecology & Environmental Informatics – Track Leader, Conservation Ecology (2016-2017)
– Marshall Weinberg Internship Award
VIT University, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
– Bachelor of Technology, Mechanical Engineering, CGPA: 8.96/10 Jul 2011 – May 2015
SKILLS AND RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Software: Microsoft Office, ArcGIS (10.4.1), IBM SPSS Statistics 24, ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, R, AutoCAD, Python
Relevant Coursework: Forest Ecology, Ecological Restoration, Biostatistics, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Planning, Woody Plants, Applied Ecosystem Modeling, Principles of GIS, Remote Sensing (RS), GIS & RS: Wildland Fire and Environmental Disaster, GIS for Natural Resource Applications
EXPERIENCE
Global Change Ecology Lab (University of Michigan) Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Research Assistant Jan 2017 – present
– Identification and separation of seeds by species collected from 115 seed traps in various
forests throughout the state of Michigan
– Microscopic examination of mycorrhizae establishment in forests
Berenty Reserve Naturelle Berenty, Madagascar
Research Intern Jul 2016 – Aug 2016
– Initiated an unprecedented forest restoration project; surveyed and learnt about the control
of two invasive species – Pithecellobium dulce and Cissus quadrangularis; Projected completion
in 2019 with the possibility of a publication
– Collaborated on a daily basis with key stakeholders: the owner, Mme Claire Foulon de Heaulme,
Chief researcher, Dr. Vanessa Winchester (University of Oxford) and local residents
– Supervised a team of 20-25 locals and executed the planting of over 1300 seedlings followed
by data collection of each seedling and existing trees to be used for future monitoring
PROJECTS
Developing Alternative Designs for the Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Masters Project (Opus), SNRE, University of Michigan Jan 2016 – present
– Co-leading a team of seven for a project titled “Vishwamitri: A River and its Reign” with a
Vadodara-based NGO (ASP Foundation) as the client; significant use of ArcGIS to develop deliverables
– Deliverables include an alternative riverfront development plan and a formal report to the Vadodara
Municipal Corporation (VMC) after analyzing the Vadodara Riverfront Development Project (VRDP);
providing ecologically, socially and economically sound alternative designs for the Vishwamitri Riverfront
Restoration of a Nesting Site for Blanding’s Turtles Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Ecological Restoration Project, SNRE, University of Michigan Jan 2016 – Apr 2016
– Led a team in developing a restoration plan by controlling an invasive species (Elaeagnus umbellata)
and maximizing recruitment of Blanding’s turtles at the main nesting site
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
– Memberships: Madagascar Environmental Justice Network, Michigan Birding Club, Bombay Natural History Society, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
– Languages: Hindi (speaking and writing: fluent), Gujarati (speaking: fluent, reading and writing: intermediate), -Spanish, French and Portuguese (reading, writing and speaking: beginner)
– Extra-Curricular: Wildlife Photography, Birding, Swimming, Hiking, Tennis, Soccer
