Hello!
I am an environmental scientist and doctoral student in Geography at UC Davis. My research is a biogeographical analysis of the ecological composition and climate adaptability of the wildland urban interface.
Katarina Michel
Climate Adaptation Researcher and Educator
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-michel-climate/
EDUCATION
2023-2027
Ph.D: Geography - UC Davis
2021-2023
MSc: Environmental Policy and Management - UC Davis
Specializations in City & Regional Planning and Statistics & Data Analysis
Alva M. Engmund Fellow
2015-2018
Bachelors in Environmental Science
Minor in Urban Studies - UC Irvine
Cum Laude honors, Phi Beta Kappa lifetime member, Dean's Honors
WORK EXPERIENCE
2023-present
Climate Insurance and Adaptation Researcher
Ocean Science Trust | remote
-
Investigate and qualify opportunities, analyze frameworks, and provide recommendations for the implementation of nature-based solutions insurance policies in California.
-
Conduct literature review, stakeholder analyses, and synthesis of best practices of using natural infrastructure in climate adaptive insurance policies.
2022-present
Teaching Assistant
UC Davis | Davis, CA
-
Teach environmental science and policy classes and biology/ecology labs of 24-45 students in the principles of ecology, experimentation, and environmental impact assessment.
-
Create lesson plans, learning materials, and formative assessments for an active learning environment.
-
Guide students through laboratory procedures, hypothesis development, and data analysis.
-
Facilitate learning and effective study techniques with one on one office hours and written feedback.
2022
Climate Resilience Policy Researcher
California Native Plant Society | remote
-
Assess climate resilience and native plant protection in 58 County General Plans; investigate relationships between the degree of plant protection and spatial and socioeconomic data.
-
Define research questions; gather, validate and analyze geospatial and statistical data.
-
Author journal publication, a CNPS internal report and presentation, and a policy brief for CA lawmakers.
2020-2022
Head of Climate Change Communications and Outreach
Terra.do | remote/international
-
Manage all outward-facing communication via content creation, marketing strategies, and PR.
-
Assist in creating and updating educational course material through citation verification, course updating, and student assignment creation.
-
Co-head the Women at Terra campaign; organize meetings, events, and outreach to encourage the participation of womxn identifying people in climate solutions.
-
Assist in alumni and learner community management, discussion facilitation, and engagement.
2020
Conservation Analyst
Pacific Rivers | remote (Portland, OR)
-
Head all research and GIS efforts related to freshwater conservation. Compile sources, data, and success metrics, report suggested best practices for conservation related campaigns.
-
Design and implement all efforts related to Pacific River’s Sanctuary campaign including map creation, data analysis report writing, grant acquisition, and public relations materials. Write newsletter articles and social media posts.
-
Assist in outreach programs through donor relations management, content creation, and science education.
-
Manage Pacific Rivers' intern team, supervise intern work.
2018-2020
Private Tutor &
Environmental Educator
Private Tutoring, Race to Zero Waste |
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
-
Educate private tutoring students between 2nd Grade and Undergrad in science, math, Spanish, and writing.
-
Develop lesson plans, achievement checkpoints, and ensure student success through personalized tutoring plans.
-
Work with students with learning disabilities to create action plans and successful study strategies for independent learning.
-
-
RTZW: Educate the public about zero waste through learning experiences, setup and monitor zero waste stations, work with Recology team to address and improve waste management systems within Dolores Park.
-
Collaborate with Love Dolores staff members to create educational experiences focused on recycling, composting and proper waste disposal for the public.
-
2016-2017
Sustainable Agriculture Researcher
UC Irvine Arboretum/Permaculture Research Area | Irvine, CA
-
Manage UCI's permaculture research area and lead all research related activities.
-
Spearhead major outreach programs/educational events for undergraduate students.
-
Develop research area design and lead all research/restoration efforts.
-
Budget and apply for funding, resulting in a $200 in grant for materials and education.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Alva M. Engmund Fellowship
UC Davis, 2021-2022
ROADS Award
UC Irvine, 2016-2017
The Green Initiative Fund
UC Irvine, 2016
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
Michel, K. (2023). The Policies Protecting California’s Plants: Data Mining California County General Plans & Opportunities For Native Plant
Conservation. (In Preparation)
Michel, K. Wheeler, S. (2023). Backing Up Biophilic Cities with Science: Data Gaps and Research Opportunities. (In Preparation)
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, OP-ED ARTICLES & OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Michel, K., Palm, J., Schroder, L., Reardon, T. (2023). “A landscape review of nature-based solutions as an incentivization for insurance policy”. Ocean
Science Trust.
Michel, K., Chapman, N., Winfield, C., Tovar, A. (2022). “Collaborative Governance in Wildfire Resilience: Reflecting on the USFS Net Impact Case
Competition”. EPM In The Wild. https://epm.ucdavis.edu/blog/epm-wild-case- study-competition
Michel, K. “A Complete Streets Network as a Solution to Sonoma County's Transportation Emissions Reduction”. (2022). UC Davis Environmental Policy
and Management Program. https://epm.ucdavis.edu/policy-briefs/complete-streets-network-solutio n-sonoma-countys-transportationemissionsre
Michel, K. (2022). “COP26 Is Underway: Here's What You Need to Know”. Terra.do. https://blog.terra.do/cop26-is-underway-heres-what-you-need-to-
Michel, K. (2022). How do I get a job fighting climate change?. Soapbox Project. https://www.soapboxproject.org/journal/how-do-i-get-a-job-fighting-
climate-change-q-a-with-katie-michel-of-terra-do
Michel, K. (2020). Forests to Faucets: Renewed Analysis After the 2020 Fire Season. Freeflow. https://issuu.com/wild-
plate/docs/pacific_rivers_newsletter_fall_issu
Michel, K. (2020). River Spotlight: The Lostine River. Freeflow. https://issuu.com/wild-plate/docs/pacific_rivers_newsletter_fall_issu
Michel, K. ( 2020). The North Umpqua and Fire: Vulnerability and Recovery in Southern Oregon. Freeflow. https://issuu.com/wild-
plate/docs/pacific_rivers_newsletter_fall_issu
Michel, K. (2020). Report: 2020 Steamboat and Canton Creek Watershed Spawning Survey.
Michel, K. (2020). Report: 2019 Steamboat and Canton Creek Watershed Spawning Survey.
PRESENTATIONS
“Valuing Urban Nature: The Market Failures and Policy Solutions of the Mission Bay Coastal Wetlands”. Oral presentation. San Diego
Audobon Society, 1/28/2023.
“The Policies Protecting Our Biodiversity: California County General Plans and Opportunities for Conservation.”. California Native Plant
Society Conference, 10/22/2022. (In Preparation)
“Market-Based Solutions to California’s Purple Urchin Infestation”. Oral presentation. CMSI Conference, 03/2022, Bodega Marine
Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA, USA.
“Climate Change and Your Career: Closing in Gap Between Climate Action”. Oral Presentation. Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
Seminar Series, 1/2021; San Francisco Department of the Environment, 3/2021; Soapbox Fest 2021, 8/2021.
CERTIFICATIONS & HONORS
-
Certificate in College Teaching. 2022. UC Davis Center For Educational Effectiveness
-
Certificate in Inclusive STEM Teaching. 2022. The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project
-
Second Place Winner. 2022. United States Forest Service & Net Impact Wildfire Resilience Case Competition
-
Lifetime Appointment. 2019. Phi Beta Kappa National Honors Society
-
Cum Laude Honors. 2019. UC Irvine
-
Dean’s Honors. 2015-2019. UC Irvine
SKILLS
Research project design, white paper and report writing, peer review, data management, analysis, and visualization
Familiarity with environmental policy, law, and impact analysis including the use of CEQA, NEPA, ESA petitioning, WSRA, CWA, and USFS special management designation
International project collaboration, event planning, oration and presentation in English and Spanish.
Article writing, course design, community engagement, and group and individual education
Technical skills including GIS analysis (ArcGIS), MATLAB, STELLA, SQL, CRM platforms (FlipCause, Salsa), Microsoft Suite, remote work tools (Zoom, GSuite, Asana, Slack, etc.), and Adobe Creative Cloud
In-depth knowledge of climate ecology, California flora, urban climate adaptation, and sustainable transportation.
Volunteer Work
July 2020 - July 2022
Volunteer
Northwest Neighborhood Association | Santa Rosa, CA
-
Coordinate meetings with policymakers, city/regional planners and elected officials and make presentations of scientific information, public consensus and policy suggestions to said officials.
-
Participate in public meetings and commenting regarding the update of the Santa Rosa general plan.
-
Increase the flow of information between local policymakers and the public in regards to local development, land conservation and neighborhood development. Interact with local constituents one on one and act as a resource for information and advocacy.
March 2014 - 2020
Board Member
Uganda AIDS Orphan Children Foundation | Los Angeles, CA & Kabale, Uganda
-
Globalize telecommunications processes, collaborate with international colleagues to coordinate organization wide efforts to increase outreach.
-
Manage and edit all visual online content via Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
-
Create/present speeches, videos, and activities for public outreach and the board, assist in campaign and fundraising efforts.
March 2016 - January 2017
Environmental Canvasser
Canvasser - CALPIRG | Irvine, CA
- Collaborate with team members to conduct environmental outreach to UC Irvine students.
- Educate the public about Prop 67, use of glyphosate use in agriculture, and other environmental issues and current events.
- Plan outreach and execute system wide outreach to achieve the goal of reaching all students on the UCI campus.