Professional Experience
Drexel University
08/2022 - Present
Position: Watershed Adaptation Corps Member
Contributions:
Collaborate with academics, professionals, and municipalities on NOAA funded research project: Connecting Upstream & Downstream Communities: A Methodology to Collaboratively Build Resilience In the Darby-Cobbs Watershed
Identify watershed residents' top priorities for climate change adaptation
Develop a systems model representing stressors facing the watershed communities and potential adaptation co-benefits
Determine key factors and conditions that will identify achievable green infrastructure implementation rates and patterns
Participate in field methodology, survey, modeling software (PCSWMM and Vensim) and other related training sessions
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
06/2020 to 09/2020
Position: Research and Stewardship Summer Intern
Contributions:
Participated in land surveys, invasive species removal, aquatic biology sampling and survey, and routine plantings and maintenance
Supported full-time office staff by tending to administrative and clerical tasks
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
06/2018 to 12/2018
Position: Biological Aid
Contributions:
Successfully identified the first presence of the invasive species Spotted Lanternfly with a group of scientists in New Jersey
Surveyed land throughout the state of New Jersey to identify locations infected by Spotted Lanternfly
Utilized ArcGIS as a tool to record parcels surveyed and the number of insects found in each location for future management and data analysis purposes
Philadelphia Zoo
05/2015 to 08/2015
Position: Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern
Contributions:
Established relationships with guests by providing education and knowledge about animals, conservation, the environment, and deforestation
Conducted behavioral research by observing the influence of crowd size on activity and visibility of King Cobras within their enclosure
Educated and encouraged guests to write to big corporations prompting them to support and use sustainably sourced palm oil for their products in efforts to decrease deforestation and habitat destruction
Conferences, Invited Talks, and Professional Memberships
Conference Presentations
2024
Title: Intersection of Maintenance, Effectiveness, and Equity in Green Stormwater Infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Authors: Zobel, R., Voter, C., Imhoff, P., Nixon, R., and Hu, Y.
Conference Details: The Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) and American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) Operation and Maintenance of Stormwater Systems Conference, Austin, TX, presentation
2023
Title: Identifying the Current State of Stormwater Management on Public University Campuses in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Authors: Zobel, Rachel and Voter, Carolyn
Conference Details: The Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. (CUAHSI) Biennial Colloquium, Tahoe City, CA, poster
Title: Collaborative Flood Mitigation Planning for the Darby-Cobbs Watershed
Authors: Montalto F., Bacmeister E., Cimino M., Zobel R., Elwell S.
Conference Details: The Watershed Congress presented by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Montgomery County Community College, presentation
2020
Title: Determining Stream Health and Microplastic Abundance In the Wissahickon Watershed Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators
Conference Details: Graduate Research Conference, University of Pennsylvania, online
Title: Sustainability Assessment of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Programs in Schools in West Bengal, India
Conference Details: Global Water Alliance 13th Annual Conference, Kolkata, India, presentation
2018
Title: Metabolic Pathways Utilized by Microbes for Bioremediation
Conference Details: Gwynedd Mercy University 4th Annual University Research Conference, Gwynedd Mercy University, presentation
Invited Talks
2022
Title: Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Solution for Runoff and Pollution?
Symposium Details: Spark! Symposium, University of Delaware, presentation
2019
Title: Creating Pathways to an Inclusion STEM Workforce
Panel Details: American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual S-STEM Symposium, Washington, D.C., panel discussion
2016
Title: Building a Strong Community
Presentation Details: Gwynedd Mercy University Annual Resident Assistant Training, training module and discussion
Professional Memberships
American Geophysical Union
American Water Resources Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
International City/County Management Association