Meghan Hutchins

Name: Meghan Hutchins
Age: 30
SNRE degree sought: M.S., Environmental Informatics
Projected semester/year of graduation: Winter 2011
Undergraduate degree: Computer Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, 2002

Why did you pick this field of study? Why were you drawn to this field?
My interest in environmental issues coupled with my technical background and love of puzzles brought me to discover the field of Environmental Informatics. Computer models and GIS help scientists, policy makers and the general public to better understand how human behavior impacts the world we live in. I chose Environmental Informatics as my field of study because I wanted to use my programming skills within a discipline that I truly feel is important.

So far, what do you like best about your program?
Environmental Informatics allows me to bring together elements from many different disciplines: economics, policy, sociology, landscape design, geography, and ecology as well as computer and complexity sciences. I find that taking a holistic perspective on environmental problems is extremely effective in understanding relationships and feedbacks within a given system.

Describe your research interests and experiences at SNRE.
My current research stems from work done with Dan Brown, Bill Currie, Rick Riolo, Joan Nassauer and several others involved with the SLUCE Project. For my master's thesis, I will be developing an agent-based model that will explore how initial vegetation and neighbor-to-neighbor interactions affect the way homeowners manage their yards within an exurban residential subdivision. With a better understanding of this human-natural system, it may be possible to cultivate norms or policies that promote yard designs and maintenance practices that facilitate carbon storage in soils and vegetation.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
I would love to pursue a career in agent-based modeling. While this discipline is not yet mainstream, government agencies and academia have been known to use this technique for solving and exploring complex problems. I am keeping my prospects open, but my current considerations involve either staying on for a Ph.D or working with the U.S. government.

What advice do you have for incoming SNRE students?
Being able to distinguish the "important" tasks from the "urgent" tasks is key. This is something I struggle with on a daily basis. Also, know how to ask the right questions and be personally responsible for your own education. SNRE and the University of Michigan will provide the tools, but it's up to you to fit those tools to your own personal goals.

What is your favorite environment-themed Web site and why?
I really enjoy perusing seedmagazine.com. This site is ideal for checking out the current environmental issues, technology, innovation, culture and politics.

How do you relax when not studying?
I enjoy swimming during the winter and running the rest of the time. Ann Arbor has many beautiful places to explore. I recommend Nichols Arboretum, Argo Dam and Gallup Park.