The Team

Meredith Hovis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). I am an interdisciplinary social scientist, using methods commonly used in public administration, policy, and economic disciplines. My primary areas of expertise include climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions (NBS); hazard mitigation; disaster resilience; and natural resource management, policy, and economics. My current work investigates the different types of NBS to reduce disaster impacts, most specifically flooding, and improve the livelihoods of traditionally marginalized communities.

Before coming to UNCW, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. I also previously worked as the Executive Director for the Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) where I help connected recovery and resilience professionals with one another to accelerate recovery funds, explored innovative adaptation strategies, and shared best practices and resources to advance resiliency in the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean.

Education

Ph.D. Forestry and Environmental Resources

North Carolina State University

M.S. Natural Resources

North Carolina State University

B.A. Environmental Sustainability
B.A. Spanish

Meredith College

Download CV

(last updated Sept. 2025)

Graduate Students

Kylie Sheahan (she/her)

Kylie is a graduate student at UNCW. She is enrolled in the Environmental Science Program with a concentration in Coastal Management. Along with this, Kylie has a BS in geoscience.

Jordan Davidson (she/her)

Jordan is a grad student in the environmental science department with a concentration in education. In the past, she has worked on a community project on flooding in Wilmington with a focus on children’s lessons and community workshops. Jordan has worked for the Parks and Recreation department, and wants to continue working for National Parks post-grad.

Chelsea Kasney (she/her)

Chelsea is a graduate student at UNCW in the environmental science department. She completed her bachelor's degree in the sustainability department at Arizona State.

rachylle-hart-06864-2 - Rachylle Hart (1

Rachylle Hart (she/her)

Having graduated from UNCW with a degree in Environmental Science, Rachylle plans on pursuing a career in environmental or social policy. She is currently the program specialist for the NC PFAS Testing Network at the UNCW Center for Marine Science. In the lab, Rachylle is working towards her thesis of "Public Perceptions of PFAS in Southeastern NC."

Undergraduate Students

Honors Senior

Emmy Tublin (she/her)

Emmy is a senior at UNCW majoring in oceanography. As an honors student, Emmy is working towards her thesis on “Policy Framework Analysis of Agrivoltaics in North Carolina.” Upon graduation, Emmy wishes to work in Wilmington before moving to DC to continue working in the energy/climate/ocean policy field.

Senior

Morgan Hobbes (she/her)

Morgan is a senior at UNCW studying environmental science. She has worked with Dr. Hovis in the Climate Resilience Lab since the spring of 2024, specializing in Agrivoltaics. Upon graduation this fall, Morgan will continue her journey at UNCW as she gets her master's in marine science and eventually Ph.D. to become a professor. When not in the lab, Morgan enjoys playing soccer for UNCW as a goalie.

Honors

Mia Dela Cruz

Mia is an honors student at UNCW majoring in environmental science. In the lab, she is working towards her thesis on understanding social perceptions on agrivoltaics in NC farmers. After graduation, Mia wishes to work in environmental education and possibly moving on to grad school.

Honors Senior

Isabelle Senff

Isabelle is an honors senior at UNCW majoring in Environmental Science. She is working towards her thesis of "exploring decision-making and governance of nature based solutions for coastal resilience in New Hanover county." In the past, Isabelle has worked for the Fort Fisher Aquarium and the NC Conservation Network. Post-grad, Isabelle wants to continue her education in grad school or begin a career in ocean conservation.

Leah Long (she/her)

Honors Sophomore

Zoe McCumber (she/her)

Zoe is a sophomore at UNCW and is a student in the Honors College. She is majoring in Communication Studies. In the lab, Zoe works in the technical side including the website and the Instagram. In her free time, Zoe likes to spend time at the beach and loves to travel around the world. Along with working in the lab, she is also a Seahawk Link at UNCW.

Past Students

2025

Morgan Kondratick, Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis: Examining the Relationships Between Health, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Variables in Wilmington, NC. Fall 2022-Spring 2025.
Bayleigh Frink. Resident Perceptions of Flooding Programs and Policies in Wilmington, NC. DIS student, Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Katie Grelck, Major in EVS. Honors Thesis: Residents’ Perceptions of Gentrification Impacts of Urban Greening in Wilmington, NC., Fall 2024-Spring 2025.
Tyler Meeks. Exploring the Human Dimensions of Sustainable Agriculture. DIS student. Summer 2025
Haley Hightower. Major in EVS. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant. Spring 2025.
Sierra Rice. Exploring Solar Developer Perceptions of Agrivoltaics in North Carolina. DIS student, Spring 2025

2024

Shelby Diehl. Exploring Urban Greening Initiatives and Their Relation to Socioeconomic and Health Indicators. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2022-Fall 2024
Mandy Jenkins. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Fall 2023- Spring 2024
Braxton Cannon. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Tucker Aaron. Exploring Solar Policies for Agricultural Lands in North Carolina. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Luke Wiseman. Sustainability Initiatives in the National Football League (NFL). DIS student, Spring 2024
Danielle Freda. Urban Green Infrastructure Projects in Wilmington, NC. DIS student, Spring 2024
Ethan Corey-Spiller. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Spring 2024
Lauren Cranidiotis. Exploring Land Use Changes and Policies in Brunswick County, NC. DIS student, Spring 2024
Marcy Waters, M.S. EVS student. Hourly Graduate Research Assistant, Spring 2024
Taylar Croft. Developing Educational Tools for UNCW Agrivoltaics. DIS student, Summer 2024