By Rose Houck
Rose Houck is a rising senior at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in Biology and Applied Data Science. For the past three semesters Rose has worked with the North Carolina Collaboratory as an Environmental Policy Intern.
Applying Science to Environmental Policy
I began working with the North Carolina Collaboratory during the summer of 2023 as an environmental policy intern. The Collaboratory is a research funding agency based at UNC-Chapel Hill that utilizes and disseminates the research expertise across the University of North Carolina System to better inform policymakers on complex issues facing North Carolina’s residents. The Collaboratory’s portfolio includes projects focused on environmental and natural resources, public health, education, technology, and infrastructure
As a student at Carolina, I study biology and applied data science. Working with the Collaboratory gave me the opportunity to use my science background to dig into environmental issues directly affecting my state’s communities. Collaboratory-funded research evaluates diverse environmental factors.
One of the significant Collaboratory projects is a multi-year study of Falls Lake, a major drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of residents here in the Triangle. The study’s research team included a dozen faculty members and was led by UNC Institute for the Environment Director, Mike Piehler. The UNC Falls Lake Study culminated in a final report to the General Assembly with significant new data, scientific findings, and recommendations for management interventions to help ensure the health of Falls Lake for years to come.
As I analyzed the research from the Falls Lake Study, I gained insights into the various factors affecting the water quality of Falls Lake. This included water flows, algae development, modeling efforts, natural mitigation strategies, and financial frameworks for management.
During my internship, I had the opportunity to interview the director of the Falls Lake study, Mike Piehler, for an “Ask the Expert” interview. Dr. Piehler shares my interest in how science can help solve problems. He described how the study’s findings identify the crucial indicators needed for successful reservoir management across the Southeast. His perspective highlighted how scientific outcomes can inform emerging environmental concerns affecting various communities. Grasping this significance compelled me to continue my work in environmental policy.
Deepening Dedication to Flood Resiliency
This summer, I advanced my work with the Collaboratory, focusing on a different environmental policy concern that is affecting our state’s communities: flood resiliency. My interest in North Carolina’s flood resiliency has been long-standing. As a child, I saw the coast of my beloved state repeatedly ravaged by storms, which motivated me to work on enhancing community resilience to increased flooding.
During high school, I conducted independent research investigating the cascading disasters resulting from flood events in Eastern North Carolina. During this pursuit, I grew increasingly interested in learning about the nuances of emerging solutions and the role of policy in driving change. As a result, I was excited for the opportunity to contribute to the Collaboratory’s continued efforts to support North Carolina’s flood resiliency research this summer.
The Collaboratory is home to the NC Flood Resiliency Hub. This resource is designed to serve policymakers, emergency management officials, university researchers, and all stakeholders interested in the latest information about flood research and the efforts to mitigate impacts of large storm events.
Throughout my internship, I’ve worked to enhance the flood hub resource and support the additional flood resiliency research projects funded by the Collaboratory this summer. These projects aim to address flood resiliency in North Carolina from a comprehensive perspective, tackling numerous critical flooding issues including mitigation strategies, resilience planning, flood mapping, natural infrastructure solutions, and community impact assessments.
I’ve learned about the latest research and techniques to mitigate flood impacts that are emerging across scientific disciplines through research both at my own University and across the state. I’ve also spoken with state policymakers about how they are utilizing research findings to improve coastal Carolina communities’ resilience to flood events. I am enthusiastic about the momentum for meaningful flood mitigation solutions, and I look forward to seeing the ongoing impact of these initiatives on our state.
Towards a Resilient Tomorrow
Interning with the Collaboratory has allowed me to dive into the complex ecosystem associated with advancing innovation in our state, where science and policy interact to build a more resilient future for our communities. I hold immense gratitude for the Collaboratory granting me the deeply fulfilling opportunity to support research that directly impacts my state’s communities. As I look toward the future, I hope to apply the lessons I’ve learned about environmental policy to my passion for science-based solutions in an effort to build a more resilient world through innovation and collaboration.