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.
Graduate Students
Kate Howard (she/her)
Kate is a first year doctoral student at UNCW in the Applied Coastal Ocean Sciences program. In the lab, she is focusing on the perception and willingness to change when faced with water quality or volume issues in society. Her goal is to bridge science and society.
Sarah Beth Howard (she/her)
Sarah Beth is a second year masters student at UNCW in the Coastal and Ocean Policy program. She serves as the social chair in the Graduate Student Association. Sarah Beth will be starting her capstone project this year and is interested in studying community flood resiliency.
Morgan Hobbs (she/her)
Morgan is agraduate student studying marine science. Her focus in the lab is identifying key actors in flood resilience governance in Southeast NC. Eventually, Morgan wants to earn her Ph.D. to become a professor. When not in the lab, Morgan enjoys playing soccer for UNCW as a goalie.
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. Currently, Chelsea also helps oversee weekly meetings and social media for the lab.
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
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Roslin Sloop (she/her)
Zoe is a sophomore at UNCW and is a student in the Honors College. She is majoring in communication studies and English. In the lab, Zoe is in charge of the website and Instagram. In her free time, Zoe likes to spend time at the beach and ltravel around the world. Along with working in the lab, she is also a Seahawk Link at UNCW.
Sierrah Blackwell
Zoe is a sophomore at UNCW and is a student in the Honors College. She is majoring in communication studies and English. In the lab, Zoe is in charge of the website and Instagram. In her free time, Zoe likes to spend time at the beach and ltravel around the world. Along with working in the lab, she is also a Seahawk Link at UNCW.
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Segua Eshun (she/her)
Zoe is a sophomore at UNCW and is a student in the Honors College. She is majoring in communication studies and English. In the lab, Zoe is in charge of the website and Instagram. In her free time, Zoe likes to spend time at the beach and ltravel around the world. Along with working in the lab, she is also a Seahawk Link at UNCW.
Zoe McCumber (she/her)
Zoe is a sophomore at UNCW and is a student in the Honors College. She is majoring in communication studies and English. In the lab, Zoe is in charge of the website and Instagram. In her free time, Zoe likes to spend time at the beach and ltravel around the world. Along with working in the lab, she is also a Seahawk Link at UNCW.
Past Students
2026
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Kylie Sheahan, Agrivoltaics Innovation Diffusion in North Carolina, Graduate Research Assistant, Fall 2025-Spring 2026
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Emmy Tublin, Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis: Policy Framework Analysis of Agrivoltaics in North Carolina, Fall 2025-Spring 2026
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Mia Dela Cruz, Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis: Farmer and Agricultural Community Perceptions of Agrivoltaics in North Carolina, Summer 2025-Spring 2026
2025
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Morgan Kondratick, Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis: Examining the Relationships Between Health, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Variables in Wilmington, NC. Fall 2022-Spring 2025.
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Jordan Davidson, Graduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024-Fall 2025
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Leah Long, DIS Student, Fall 2025
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Isabelle Senff, Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis: Exploring Decision Making and Governance On Nature Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience in New Hanover County, Summer 2025-Fall 2025
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Bayleigh Frink. Resident Perceptions of Flooding Programs and Policies in Wilmington, NC. DIS student, Fall 2024-Spring 2025
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Katie Grelck, Major in EVS. Honors Thesis: Residents’ Perceptions of Gentrification Impacts of Urban Greening in Wilmington, NC., Fall 2024-Spring 2025.
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Tyler Meeks. Exploring the Human Dimensions of Sustainable Agriculture. DIS student. Summer 2025
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Haley Hightower. Major in EVS. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant. Spring 2025.
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Sierra Rice. Exploring Solar Developer Perceptions of Agrivoltaics in North Carolina. DIS student, Spring 2025
2024
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Shelby Diehl. Exploring Urban Greening Initiatives and Their Relation to Socioeconomic and Health Indicators. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2022-Fall 2024
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Mandy Jenkins. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Fall 2023- Spring 2024
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Braxton Cannon. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Fall 2023-Spring 2024
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Tucker Aaron. Exploring Solar Policies for Agricultural Lands in North Carolina. Hourly Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2023-Spring 2024
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Luke Wiseman. Sustainability Initiatives in the National Football League (NFL). DIS student, Spring 2024
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Danielle Freda. Urban Green Infrastructure Projects in Wilmington, NC. DIS student, Spring 2024
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Ethan Corey-Spiller. Exploring Agrivoltaics at UNCW Greenhouse. DIS student, Spring 2024
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Lauren Cranidiotis. Exploring Land Use Changes and Policies in Brunswick County, NC. DIS student, Spring 2024
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Marcy Waters, M.S. EVS student. Hourly Graduate Research Assistant, Spring 2024
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Taylar Croft. Developing Educational Tools for UNCW Agrivoltaics. DIS student, Summer 2024