SOIL&WATER

Cielo is an imaginative engineer focused on combining her passion for environmental justice with systems thinking to support interdisciplinary research. She uses hydrodynamic modeling, spatial analysis, and risk assessment tools to study how the socioeconomic landscape impacts exposure and adaptation to climate hazards. The research she conducts concentrates on examining the past and potential impacts on watersheds in varying streamflow conditions. In addition, she conducts socio-environmental analyses to identify potential risks to food, water, and energy systems. Cielo aims to understand the hydraulic linkages between the socioeconomic and hazard landscape, with a goal of helping communities facing intersectional tensions in climate change. She has worked as a diversity, equity, and inclusion fellow at the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and currently serves as a Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center. Additionally, she serves as the graduate advisor to the National Society of Black Engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Cielo is passionate about environmental and climate justice and enjoys community engaged research. She is currently supporting the National CASC in expanding efforts for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

When she is not in the lab, Cielo enjoys being an active leader in the National Society of Black Engineers and mentoring undergraduate students. Cielo also enjoys hiking, rollerblading, kayaking, and swimming.

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PREVIOUS AND ONGOING RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS

Diverse Knowledge Systems Drive Climate Adaptation Strategies September 2021-Present Nuestras Raices, Holyoke, MA, Funded by U.S. Geological Survey,

National Climate Adaptation Science Center Mobilization and Exposure of Legacy Contaminants During Climate Extremes July 2020-Present University of Massachusetts Amherst, Funded by U.S. Geological Survey Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center

Impact of Climate Change on Energy Justice and Energy Equity on the Connecticut River January 2022-Present University of Massachusetts Amherst, Funded by NSF Research Traineeship

Social Vulnerability and Hydrological Risk in Massachusetts July 2019-November 2023 University of Massachusetts Amherst, Funded by Spaulding-Smith Fellowship

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EDUCATION

• B.S., Biochemistry , 2019, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

• M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2021, UMass Amherst

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AWARDS

• •Appointed to the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Centers Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Core Team as Diversity Equity and Inclusion Coordinator (2023)  

• Switzer Environmental Fellowship (2023)

• American Water Works Association, Raftelis Industry Award, (2023)

• Chancellor’s Emerging Leadership Award Nomination, (2023)

• Institute of Diversity Sciences, Teaching Fellow Award (2023)

• Ford Fellowship, Dissertation Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention (2023)

• United States Department of Agriculture. Northeast Climate Hub, Graduate Fellow in Climate Mitigation (GradCAMP, 2023)

• Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy System (ELEVATE), Research Grant ($1,500, 2022 & 2023)

• Institute of Diversity Sciences, Teaching Fellow Award ($1,500, 2022) 

• Office of Professional Development Teaching Academy Award – Empathy as a Tool for Inclusive Classroom Engagement ($500, 2022)

• UMass Amherst Graduate School Dissertation Research Award ($1,000, 2022)

• United States Geological Survey (USGS) Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellowship ($10,000, 2022)

• College of Engineering Teaching Fellowship, ($8,500, 2022)

• Dean’s Curriculum Challenge, College of Engineering Teaching Award, UMass Amherst ($300, 2022)

• Institute for Energy Justice, Justice in 100 Reviewer, ($1,000, 2022)

• Valente Humanities in Climate Justice Fellowship, Bentley University ($3,500, 2021-2022)

• Energy Transition Institute, Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy System Fellowship (ELEVATE), (2021-2024)

• National Science Foundation, Research Trainee Fellowship ($75,000 2021-2022)

• American Water Works Association HDR One Water Industry Scholarship ($10,000, 2021)

• 2021 Agents of Change Fellow

• 2020 NECASC Fellow

• National Academy of Engineers, Grand Challenge Scholar (2019)

• 2019 UMass Graduate School Spaulding-Smith Fellow (2019)

• Gilman International Scholar (2018)

• GEM Fellowship Finalist (2018)

• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar (2017)

• Martin Luther King Scholar (2015)

• African American Unity Scholar (2015)