Jen Horton

Name: Jen Horton
Age: 23
SNRE degree sought: M.S., Environmental Justice and Environmental Informatics
Projected semester/year of graduation: Winter 2011
Undergraduate degree: B.A. in sociology with concentrations in anthropology and environmental studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Why did you pick this field of study? Why were you drawn to this field?
I originally decided to apply to SNRE for Environmental Justice because of its unique interdisciplinary course offerings.  I am mainly interested in the intersection of environmental health and social justice issues and I wanted the opportunity to explore courses outside of SNRE as well.  Also, during my undergraduate career, I was assigned to read journal articles written by SNRE professors Bunyan Bryant and Paul Mohai.  What better way to learn about the environmental justice movement than to study under these influential researchers!  Upon arriving at SNRE, I added the Environmental Informatics field of study because I think geographic information systems (GIS) is an important skill set needed to research environmental health issues in certain communities and locations.

So far, what do you like best about your program?
Currently, I most enjoy my ability to take courses outside of my field of study.  My concentration inhabits many disciplines such as sociology and public health. With the Environmental Justice field of study, I can create my own unique course path. Also with Environmental Informatics, I am developing a very important skill set that will help me understand injustices from a quantitative analysis standpoint.  The Environmental Informatics field of study is rich with course offerings in various forms of spatial analysis and quantitative methodology.

Describe your research interests and experiences at SNRE.
As mentioned, I am mainly interested in environmental health issues on a somewhat broad scale (at this point).  I am interested in using GIS to gather layers of data sets that can map and predict various health risk regions.  I am particularly interested in the adverse health problems that minority and low socio-economic communities experience.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
Well, I have not been in graduate school very long, so I have not given much thought to a concrete plan.  Ideally, I would be working with a research institute that predominately uses GIS.  Further, I would love to work for an environmental justice agency.  And if I could find a job wherein I could do both of those, all the better.  However, directly after I graduate, I hope to take a brief hiatus to northern Spain to work on a farm.

What advice do you have for incoming SNRE students?
I would advise trying to plan your class schedule months in advance so you do not lose out on classes you are interested in or are a requirement for your degree.  Also, please take advantage of the knowledge of your professors.  Talk to them!  Meet with them!  Also, the GSIs are there to help you. I would also advise that incoming students take advantage of ALL Student Government events, including the SNRE happy hours! Oh, and drink water.  My brain seems to shut down if I don't do that enough.

What is your favorite environment-themed Web site and why?
I like Grist.org mainly because it is hard to find an informational site on news, food and politics based on environmental issues.  This works for me!  It is flashy and very up-to-date.

How do you relax when not studying?
Thus far, the town of Ann Arbor has not let me down.  There is always a speaker, band or movie to see in downtown.  I also love reading post-modern fiction, crocheting, cycling and cooking.  I really enjoy going to Pontiac and Detroit to go see music.  I also like to play my viola.