To obtain a challenging position as an environmental planner and natural resource management expert
MENKA BIHARI
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a challenging position as an environmental planner and natural resource management expert
EDUCATION: University of Massachusetts Amherst
PhD in Regional Planning, May 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0
Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Master’s Certificate in Environmental Education, June 2006
Center for Environmental Planning and Technology, India
Master’s of Environmental Planning, July 2004 GPA: 3.75/4.0
University of Pune, India
Bachelor’s of Architecture (B. Arch.), July 2002
(Recommended for Gold Medal for best thesis award)
RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE: Research Assistant, September, 2006 to present
Dr. (Prof.) Robert L. Ryan, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Analyzed and examined federal wildland fire management policy for the Department of Agriculture/ US Forest Service funded study
• Developed a close-ended survey instrument to measure perceptions of community preparedness for wildfires
• Conducted mail-in surveys for both residents and agency personnel in 10 communities across the United States
• Interviewed 18 forest, fire and land use planners across 6 case study communities to qualitatively assess the wildfire preparedness component
• Conducted advanced statistical analysis using SPSS to identify socio-economic and environmental factors that influenced community preparedness for wildfires
• Paper- Role of Social Capital in Community Preparedness for Wildfires, to be presented at the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), Washington DC, June 2010.
• Paper- Using Social Capital to Facilitate Community Preparedness for Wildfires, presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM) conference, University of Vermont, Burlington, July 2008.
• Poster- Community Preparedness for Wildfire: A Pilot Study of Underlying Factors and Influences, presented at the International Association for Wildland Fire (IAWF) conference, Fort Collins, October 2007.
United Nations Secretariat, New York City, September to November 2009
Intern, Architectural and Engineering Unit/ Facilities Management Services
• Worked on the Capital Master Plan by conditioning architectural schematics and linking them to space management database
• Collaborated with the Facilities Management Services for inventory management and documentation of works of art.
• Assisted with the construction shop drawing process.
• Exuded professionalism and sensitivity in a diverse multicultural environment
Postgraduate Research, January 2003 to July 2004
Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), India
• Conducted an appraisal of the Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India
• Documented the constitution and working of Village Forest Development Committees (VFDCs) as local level organizations for JFM
• Identified factors that strengthened community participation at al levels
• Assessed the significance of socioeconomic variables in participatory forest management
• Analyzed the existing state and national forest policies to evolve strategies for sustainable management of Himalayan forests
ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE: Environmental Educator- Naturalist
Audubon Center of the North Woods, Minnesota, August 2005 to June 2006
• Conducted environmental program instruction for K-12, college & adult groups
• Worked on curriculum development and reviewed outdoor education component
• Served as liaison and coordinated logistics for school and conference groups.
• Assisted with care of captive educational animals & raptors at the center.
Environmental Planner, May 2004 to August 2005
SENES Consultants India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India
• Examined central government environmental policy for sustainable development
• Conducted environmental impact assessments/ studies and reviewed solid and hazardous waste management schemes in New Delhi
• Assisted with grant writing and project proposals for Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), World Bank and other funding agencies.
Undergraduate Research, May 2001 to July 2002
University of Pune, India
• Reviewed existing SOS children’s villages in conflict affected regions across the world
• Analyzed case studies for understanding critical design components like orientation, scale and the surroundings suitable for affected children
• Conceptualized and designed the SOS Children’s Village in post riot Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
ACTIVITIES: Member, International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR)
Enjoy hiking/camping, painting, photography, music, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, fitness activities, traveling and exploring museums.
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