EXPLORING THE OBESONGENIC ENVIRONMENT IN LOGAN COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

With this project, I researched how the local geography of a mountainous, rural county factored into the obesity of its general population.

Demographics were measured using data from the US Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the findings applied to geographic data layers provided by the West Virginia GIS Technical Center.

Ultimately I determined that when combined with low income rate and a relatively low and isolated population, among other factors, the geography of Logan County does indeed contribute to the high rate of obesity.

 

SITE SELECTION FOR A VEGAN RESTAURANT IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA

This project served double-duty as I researched potential site locations for a new vegan restaurant for both class project as well as an actual client.

I measured demographics of the neighborhoods surrounding the locations of current vegan restaurants based on ESRI Tapestry Segmentation data.

Combining data from Tapestry Segmentation and the US Census Bureau, I determined favorable locations for the restaurant in the North End and South End in Boston, and Central Square in Cambridge.

 
 

 

I AM SEEKING AN ENTRY LEVEL GIS ANALYST POSITION.

I recently received my Certificate in GIS from the Northeastern University graduate program. As part of my training, I conducted literature searches on public health issues, such as the obesity epidemic in rural environments. I also conducted marketing and demographic research for a restaurant site selection and applied the findings of the geographic analyses to graphic and written presentations. During my training, I also gained experience with quantitative methods within the GIS environment.

During training, I initiated an internship with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, where I assisted the EEA with data management and analysis and gave presentations about maps involved in the Smart Growth Overlay Zoning project to the Department of Housing and Community Development. Through my training and internship, I developed skills in data management.

Technical skills include Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, SQL Server, ESRI ArcGIS, HTML and Adobe Photoshop.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Boston MA, September 2009 to February 2010
Intern

• Produced 15 maps of urban community development areas throughout Massachusetts; data is used to determine qualifications and funding for community development projects.

• Georeferenced approved Smart Growth zones to aerial photos and land parcel maps.

• Result: mapped site locations which differentiated land parcels as residential, commercial, mixed use, or open space.