kyle barnes

Kyle Barnes (MS ’22)

By Nayiri Mullinix | 
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With a background in marine ecology and an interest in learning about freshwater environments, Kyle Barnes (MS ’22) was initially going to pursue only one specialization in Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). He says it didn’t take long for him to realize he’d need to tack on Geospatial Data Sciences as well.

“So much data exists and is readily available, and it’s only becoming more available, so I really felt strongly pulled towards geographic information systems and geospatial data management analysis,” says Barnes, “and this is what led me to work on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects after graduating, where I got to see topics from both specializations intersect.”

Barnes is a geospatial analyst at Dewberry, one of the top-five engineering and consulting firms, on their research and development technology team. He leads the development of feature mapping and automation tools, which includes creating robust classification workflows for laser-derived elevation data and wetlands for the U.S. Geological Survey and cutting-edge AI land cover mapping for NOAA.

“My experience at SEAS was transformational, to give it one word. I don’t think that I would have ever really considered this field, or really even known much about it, if I weren’t exposed to it at SEAS. My undergraduate experience was more field-based, traditional ecology, giving me a solid but pigeonholed background. The interdisciplinary lens at SEAS exposed me to the technical side but also led me to understand how to use that experience for revealing environmental injustices and so much more. I get to do a lot of cool research and development that I wouldn’t have the foundation for otherwise.” 

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Gillian Gainsley

Gillian Gainsley (MS ’10)

As chief of staff at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Gillian Gainsley says that specializing in Behavior, Education and Communication prepared her for a range of communications-based roles, including over a decade of combined experience at the Ypsilanti District Library and Detroit PBS.

Ariana Rickard (MS ’05)

Ariana Rickard (MS ’05)

Ariana Rickard loves “being the voice for nature.” As the policy director of Sonoma Land Trust, she spends her days interacting with state and federal legislators and regional coalitions, advocating for programs that fund Sonoma Land Trust’s land acquisition, restoration and conservation efforts, as well as its community outreach work.

Christian Runge

Christian Runge (MLA ’11)

Christian Runge’s passion for nature is rooted in his childhood growing up with Maryland’s Gunpowder State Park in his backyard. Spending those years in nature has driven him to “provide that opportunity for all kids to have that access in some way.”