Advisors:
Mentor: Dr. Joe Sullivan
Dr. Sullivan is a professor at the University of Maryland. He has an A.B. in Biology from Erskine College, an M.S. in Biology from Western Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Clemson University. His current labaratory research investigates the responses of plants to various forms of environmental stress - both natural and anthropogenic.
Librarian: Kelley O’Neal
As a Geospatial Librarian, Dr. O'Neal assists users in locating geospatial data and analyzing and visualizing those data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), image processing, statistical, and other visualization software packages. She received her Ph.D. in Geographical Sciences from UMD and has 17 years of experience in her field.
Team Members:
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Shlomit Chelst (Library Liaison)
Major: Chemical Engineering
Shlomit is an aspiring environmental engineer from Highland Park, New Jersey. She is incredibly excited to help the planet with Team CATTAILS! When she’s not doing homework, Shlomit loves to draw, sing, play guitar, and share funny stories with friends. Motivated by her love of music (and talking), Shlomit has her own radio show on WMUC, called Digital Pocketwatch. She is also involved in Jewish life at UMD. Her favorite comic strip is Calvin and Hobbes and her spirit animal is the house cat.
Uva Dayalan (Financial Liaison)
Major: Bioengineering (Pre-Med Track)
Originally from the mountains of Cumberland, MD, Uva is sophomore here at the University of Maryland. She participates in the University Honors Peer Mentor Program, she is a Terps for Change Volunteer, she plays intramural soccer, she is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and she is also a part of the QUEST Honors Program here at Maryland. She loves French onion soup and Scooby-Doo, and she cannot wait to see what Team CATTAILS can achieve!
Belton Delaine- Facey
Major: Biology Spec: Ecology and Evolution
Belton is from Somerset, NJ and is a proud fan of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Nets. He intends to go into the field of Zoology and conduct research as a career. Belton is also a member of the campus groups Off the Wall Comedy and Maryland Filmmakers Club. His favorite movies include The Prestige, Chronicle, The Shawshank Redemption, and the X-Men series (but not Last Stand or the Wolverine movies).
Sophia Hull (Web Liaison)
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Concentration: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Sophia was born in Colorado but grew up in Chatham, New Jersey. She is passionate about preserving the environment and promoting sustainable living. Sophia is heavily involved in the Mighty Sound of Maryland, Maryland’s marching band, and this year is a section leader for the Color Guard. Additionally, she is a sister of Tau Beta Sigma, a service sorority that aids the 7 different concert bands on campus. In addition Sophia loves animals, traveling and arts and crafts. Her spirit animal is a goat.
Delaney Jordan (Team Liaison)
Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Born and raised here in Maryland, Delaney grew up across from a pond, where she could see ducks, turtles, and cattails on a daily basis. She has been a part of terrapin turtle rescues, and she got her Girl Scout Gold Award at the age of 16. She likes to read and sail, and her favorite work experience has been in the clean room at the Army Research Lab in Adelphi, MD. At the University of Maryland, she is a member of the Gymkana Troupe, and is excited to study abroad in Fall 2015.
James Maher
Major: Chemical Engineering
James is from Poughkeepsie, New York. He went to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School. James was a two sport varsity athlete with football and wrestling. He is currently on the club wrestling team here at Maryland. He got his Eagle Scout rank when he was 16. He has worked the past several summers as a contractor’s apprentice. He loves the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Wizards. James’ favorite movies are Sharknado and Sharknado 2. “Enough said. Shark happens”
Mitul Patel
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Concentration: Econlogical Technology Design
Mitul Patel was born in Denver, Colorado. He spent much of his youth growing up in India but was raised here in Maryland. He is an Environmental Science and Technology, Ecological Tech Design major with a Minor in Law and Society. He hopes to specialize in Environmental Law for his minor and possibly pick up a another minor in Sustainability. He is a prominent member of UMD's Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Int.'s pre-law chapter here at the University and currently sits as its Treasurer. He also sings in the University of Maryland's Premiere A Cappella group Faux Paz and is responsible for their PR and Marketing. He has researched for three summers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and recently co-authored a now published work. He also enjoys long walks in the forest, spending time with peers, and dancing the night away.
Tori Queeney (Team Clerk)
Major: Environmental Science and Technology and English
Concentration: Soil and Watershed Sciences
Tori hails from Catonsville, MD and enjoys playing club Ultimate Frisbee and participating in UMD’s nationally-ranked soil judging team. She is also a Gems Camp Leader and loves spreading her love of all things Gemstone to incoming freshmen - her favorite holiday is Gems Formal! She is excited to be studying abroad in Holland during the Spring ‘15 semester. Her favorite food is sushi and her dream is to one day become friends with a cow.
Aayush Thapa
Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Born and raised in Nepal, I went to high school in Montgomery Village, Maryland before coming to UMD. I intend to go into the field of materials research. I am involved in UMD groups Primannum Honors Society and Wind Terpines. I also play intramural soccer. My hobbies include playing table tennis, FIFA with friends (rivals) and watching informative and thought-provoking or comical videos.
Jennifer Wall (Web Liaison)
Majors: Biology & Environmental Science
Concentration: Ecology and Evolution
Jennifer is from Baldwin, Maryland. She is an active member of the Gymkana troupe on campus and teaches gymnastics to both adults and children. Jennifer is passionate about the outdoors and the environment and plans to pursue a career in field research. She has explored both the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rain forest in Australia and aided with research on both stalk eyed flies and Wood Thrush. In her spare time, she loves to read, draw, and sing. It has been said that she is more graceful on her hands than her feet and she can always be found smiling.
Michael Xu
Majors: Chemistry & Computer Science
Born and raised in the great state of Maryland, Michael is an aspiring chemist with an interest in computer science. He has experience working with both public and private research groups including the Lombardi Cancer Center and AstraZeneca. He is also an avid volunteer who has gone overseas to help improve education in rural China. In his free time, he enjoys long walks across La Plata Beach and the occasional romantic comedy. He starts every morning with a hand-brewed cup of tea and ends each day by watching the sun set through his dorm window.
Debra Yee
Major: Biochemistry and Microbiology
Debra was born and raised in Montgomery County, MD. Debra is First Aid/CPR/AED certified and intrigued by chemistry and the body’s natural defenses. This formed her interest in becoming a future pharmacist. She also has a strong passion for sustainability and encouraging others for a greener lifestyle. Aside from that, she enjoys trying and creating new art, spreading over the years and allowing her to teach others to promote expression and creativity. Debra has participated and instructed competitive, award-winning color and winter guards and aspires to join a drum corp in the near future.
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