
August 2018 - May 2023
Ph.D. Sustainability,
College of Global Futures,
Arizona State University
Ph.D. in Sustainability at the School of Sustainability.
Transdisciplinary research focused on heat mitigation as well as communication and co-creation of usable science between academics, city officials, and the general public in the context of urban heat. Outcomes of the dissertation advance the creation and application of usable, policy-relevant knowledge in the field of urban heat as a sustainability issue.
Dissertation title:
Urban Heat: A Sustainability Challenge Crossing Traditional Boundaries
October 2010 - July 2013
BS Meteorology
Universität Leipzig
Bachelor of Science.
Anthropogenic Impact on Local Weather and Climate
Bachelor thesis title (German):
Einfluss von Landnutzungsänderungen auf Wolken und Strahlung: Sensitivitätsstudie mit dem MPI-Erdsystemmodell

Academic Experience
My Qualifications
August 2018 - May 2023
Graduate Research Assistant,
Arizona State University
SHaDE Lab, School of Arts, Media, and Engineering, Herberger Institute of Design and Arts, Arizona State University.
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Supervising undergraduate and graduate students in the SHaDE Lab
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(Co-)Leading and executing 15+ extreme heat projects and fieldwork using multiple instruments with up to a dozen people at the same time
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Data analysis of heat and reflectivity data (modeling and fieldwork) using RStudio and ArcGIS Desktop
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Providing research on urban sustainability with a focus on heat mitigation strategies such as Green Infrastructure or Cool Pavement
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Presenting research and outcomes at academic conferences and via media outlets
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Drafting and editing manuscripts for peer review leading to publication:
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Evidence-based guidance on reflective pavement for urban heat mitigation in Arizona (Nature Communications)
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PanoMRT: Panoramic Infrared Thermography to Model Human Thermal Exposure and Comfort.
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Understanding of heterogeneous radiant heat flux reflections
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MaRTiny - A low cost biometeorological sensor
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More than surface temperature
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50 Grades of Shade
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Solar reflective pavements - panaceas? (Environmental Research Letters)
August 2021 - December 2021
Graduate Teaching Assistant,
Arizona State University
Recitation management/lead for two student groups (60 students) during Fall 2021. SOS 111: Sustainable Cities (2021 Fall) Polytechnic Campus, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University.
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Leading the creation and execution of two recitation sessions with 30 students each on diverse topics of sustainable cities.
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Grading assignments of 60 students twice per week.
January 2017 - July 2018
Scientific Programmer, TROPOS
Working Group Satellite Remote Sensing, Department Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research.
European Space Agency Affiliate – Project EarthCARE.
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Programming data processing algorithms in Fortran
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Programming automated test modules for data processing algorithms in Fortran
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Creating data visualizations in Python
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Working in an international decentralized team (ITA, ENG, FRA, and GER)
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Publication: EarthCARE Cloud Layer and Aerosol Products
October 2016 - December 2016
Professional GIS Training, Cimdata Bildungsakademie
Full-time professional education in Geographic Information Systems using the tool ArcGIS Desktop.
Concluded ArcGIS training with exceptional marks in basic and advanced modules.
January 2016 - April 2016
Researcher, University Leipzig
Research Group Clouds and Global Climate, Leipzig Institute for Meteorology, Leipzig University.
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Continued research efforts of the master thesis including radiation model runs using Fortran
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Data visualization of global climate model outputs (NC files) for historical and 4xCO2 runs using NCL as the programming language
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Wrote the first draft of the now-published Master thesis.
June 2012 - December 2015
Student Research Assistant, TROPOS
Working Group Ground-Based Remote Sensing, Department Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes, Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS).
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Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data analysis using the programming languages MatLab and LabView
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Visualized data using Matlab and Python
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Programmed a data processing algorithm that can handle 12+ different LiDAR inputs from different wavelengths and provide a coherent output variable across LiDARs using unique conversion algorithms
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Collaborated with colleagues to identify best practices for data processing
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Contributed as a co-author to a publication on a decades overview of a unique LiDAR system (PollyNET):
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-5111-2016

Selected Awards, Scholarships, and Fellowships
Graduate College Completion Fellowship
$27,585.00
Awarded for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 to focus on Dissertation.
Award to support degree completion of outstanding graduate students for their last semester or year. Competitive fellowship award of $10,940 per semester plus tuition for 1 credit hour and health insurance coverage.
GPSA Outstanding Research Award
$750.00
Awarded Spring 2022 for my research on Cool Pavement.
The Outstanding Research Award from the Graduate and Professional Student Association recognizes graduate and professional students who demonstrate excellence in research at Arizona State University.
GPSA and EOSS Leadership Scholarships, Grants, & Awards
Multiple (22) - Total: $34,429.00
Scholarships, Grants, and Awards for Leadership and Outstanding Commitment in the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) or in Educational Outreach and Student Support (EOSS) between April 2019 and May 2023. Serving in different positions from Assembly Member to Director of Travel to President of the Student Government.
CAP LTER Graduate Research Grant
$3,927.33
Awarded Summer 2020 to initiate Project MaRTiny.
The Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research Program (CAP LTER) Graduate Grants help support graduate student research in urban ecology and urban systems conducted within the CAP LTER study area. Competitive and reviewed grant.
Walton Global Sustainability Studies Scholarship
$2,500.00
Awarded for my Study Abroad during the Summer 2019 in Hong Kong.
The Walton Global Sustainability Studies Scholarship supports students who want to participate in a special learning experience about sustainability issues in other countries.
Other Awards/Grants
Multiple (2) - Total: $575.00
Awarded between Fall 2019 and now for conference travel, registration, and attendance & dissertation research efforts.
Received at ASU from GPSA and the Graduate College. Outside of ASU from the Arizona Pavements/Materials Conference.