Meredith Reba
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RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in the intersection of urbanization and agriculture. Specifically, I plan to focus on the relationship between historical urban growth and its correlation to highly productive agricultural lands through the use of such tools as GIS, remote sensing, statistical analysis, and modeling. Questions of particular interest to me include:
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Why have certain cities grown faster than others?
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Is the growth of large urban areas correlated with major cropping area proximity?
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Is there a distinct shift in the relationship between the location and size of human settlements and their proximity to major cropping areas over time?
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When did these shifts occur and what do they tell us about potential future shifts?
As an undergraduate student in the geological sciences, I worked amongst a team of researchers constructing paleoclimate cycles from oxygen isotope analysis of Pacific Ocean core foraminifera. As a result, I have a strong interest in and appreciation for understanding global cycles at long time scales. My interest in urbanization and agriculture evolved from my work with a nonprofit organization I cofounded dedicated to raising awareness of the global disparity in access to both education and health care. It is this work, centered mainly in South and Central Asia, which made clear for me the links between agriculture, food access, urbanization, health, and inequality. I also have worked in various agricultural settings, both in the US and abroad and have extensive practical farming experience.
Education
Ph.D. | — | Yale School of Environment |
M.E.Sc | 2014 | Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies |
B.S., Geological Sciences | 2002 | Brown University |