Ferna Alvarez Carrascal

Geospatial data scientist with a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, a Master's degree in Sustainable Development and a background in Civil Engineering. My experience lies in the intersection of environmental systems, data infrastructure, and social impact. I integrate environmental science, Geographic Information Systems, and statistical modeling, using Python, R, ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine to build geospatial pipelines that guide the creation of nature-based solutions that ensure the well-being of ecosystems and societies.

Additionally, I am highly detail-oriented, time-efficient, proactive, and trained to work following scientific frameworks. Moreover, I thrive in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments, possess broad cultural sensitivity, and enjoy teamwork.

Graduate Research Assistant - Vanderbilt Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences - Nashville, TN, USA

(2022-08)

Advisor Dr. Jonathan M. Gilligan

• Drinking Water Research Using a Novel Service Area Boundary Dataset as Unit of Analysis
• Geographic Inequities in Drinking Water: A Multiscale Analysis of SDWA Violations Using Community Water System Service Area Boundaries
• Intersectional Inequalities in Safe Drinking Water Act Violations Across Communities
• Community Engagement in Urban Water Management through the Lenses of Procedural Environmental Justice
• Understanding and Prioritizing Latinx Household Needs for a Just Energy Transition
• Understanding the residential adoption of photovoltaic systems in Southeast communities in the United States
• Energetic Tennessee - Didactic board game for TN future energy system

Professional in Civil Engineering and Sustainability - SURA S.A. - Medellin, Colombia

(2020-12 - 2022-06)

Generate knowledge relating environmental hazards to the insurance industry

• Flood analysis for the Americas, from the United States to Argentina
• Software to estimate greenhouse gas emissions associated with the company
• Management of hydrological projects
• Environmental risk analysis for places of interest for the company

Research Assistant - Taiwan National Central University - Taoyuan, Taiwan

(2018-09 - 2020-07)

Influence of Climate Change on Streamflow in Pamplonita and Zulia Watershed, Colombia

• Use of the Long term Water Balance to forecast the streamflow in the Pamplonita and Zulia watersheds in Colombia under two different scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) by 2030 and 2050

Research Assistant - Universidad EIA - Medellin, Colombia

(2017-09 - 2018-09)

Understanding thermal comfort and energy consumption according to climatic conditions for different types of homes located in the Aburra Valley Medellín [Translated from Spanish]

Training Professional - Sedic S.A. - Medellin, Colombia

(2016-11 - 2017-09)

Revision and management of georeferencing information of the Aburra Valley sewer network according to the project 'Hydraulically model the sewer system operated by EPM in the Aburra Valley, including the topography of the elements and calibration of the models.'

Engineer Assistant - Hidrafocis S.A.S - Cucuta, Colombia

(2016-07 - 2016-10)

Trace of hydrosanitary networks for different residential sets, drawing of plans and profiles of sewers, aqueducts, gas networks, and fire networks for Jardin Plaza Mall and free flow channel design

Ph.D. - Earth and Environmental Sciences - Vanderbilt University (2026-05)

M.Sc. - Environmental Sustainable Development - Taiwan National Central University (2020-06)

Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering - Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (2016-06)