Gillian Gainsley

Gillian Gainsley (MS ’10)

By Nayiri Mullinix | 
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As chief of staff at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Gillian Gainsley (MS ’10) says that specializing in Behavior, Education and Communication at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) prepared her for a range of communications-based roles, including over a decade of combined experience at the Ypsilanti District Library and Detroit PBS.

“I have my undergrad in political science and my grad is in environmental science from SEAS, so I joke that this is the first time in my life that I’ve used both of those things at the same time,” says Gainsley.

With more than 1,500 scientists, engineers, geologists, toxicologists, inspectors, technicians, biologists and staff across the state, EGLE’s focus on safeguarding the environment while supporting economic growth and development in Michigan means Gainsley is juggling communications about a broad range of issues.

“Everything from treatment for harmful algal blooms, lead and copper in water infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment, toxic cleanups, and energy and climate issues,” says Gainsley. “There’s just a huge gamut of issues that we deal with.”

Gainsley says that having a broad understanding of the scientific principles that underlie all of these issues has served her well as she has transitioned into this role, which she has held for just over a year.

“What I learned at SEAS is incredibly valuable and started me on the circuitous career path that led to where I am today,” says Gainsley. “We need to think bigger when we talk about what a climate or environment job is. We’re moving into a space where many jobs will overlap with both, making a SEAS degree beneficial in a lot of different places.”

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Ameya Gehi

Ameya Gehi (BA ’18, JD ’21)

As a staff attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Ameya Gehi works to “ensure that corporate polluters are complying with laws that protect public health and the environment.” Among her cases are those involving violations of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

kyle barnes

Kyle Barnes (MS ’22)

With a background in marine ecology and an interest in learning about freshwater environments, Kyle Barnes was initially going to pursue only one specialization in Ecosystem Science and Management at SEAS. He says it didn’t take long for him to realize he’d need to tack on Geospatial Data Sciences as well.