Professional Science Master’s (PSM)
Current Students
Jessee Griffith
Jessee is from Sparta, TN and received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science
and Sustainability at Tennessee Tech in 2023. She is currently a PSM student with
her thesis research focusing on flood risk and mitigation efforts in the Calfkiller
Watershed. Jessee is currently a fellow on the NSF-NRT “Engendering the Spirit of
Gadugi at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus” and just accepted an internship at Oak Ridge
National Lab working with GIS, remote sensing, and environmental compliance
Charles Nelson
Charles is from Harriman, Tennessee and now work in Oak Ridge at Y-12 National Security
Complex. He earned his Undergraduate degree at Tennessee Tech in Environmental Biology.
He is set to graduate the PSM program soon!
Lauren Watson
Lauren is originally from Knoxville, TN and grew up in the Atlanta Metro Area. She
works as a Graduate Assistant for the School of Environmental Studies. This summer,
Lauren is interning on the Environmental Planning team of transportation infrastructure
firm in Nashville focusing on NEPA policy and compliance. She will graduate in December
2025 with her degree in Environmental Informatics.
Daphni Wetzlich-Engle
Daphni Wetzlich-Engle is an interdisciplinary researcher and artist with an academic
background in sociology, history, and cultural studies. In 2024, she began her Professional
Science Master’s in Environmental Informatics (Sustainability), where she integrates
social science perspectives with technological and environmental analysis. Her research
centers on the implications of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence,
within rural and Indigenous communities. Daphni’s work is informed by a commitment
to community engagement, cultural understanding, and ethical innovation. Daphni is
a current NRT Gadugi Fellow, collaborating with rural and indigenous communities to
explore community-driven approaches to food, water, and energy resilience. She enjoys
traveling, which continues to broaden her perspective and inform her academic and
creative endeavors.
Jennifer Nwafor
Jennifer is from Enugu State, Nigeria and is currently working on The Evaluation of Combined Sewer Network Design Using GIS. She previously worked at G Johns Nigeria Limited as an Environmental Manager.
Holly Stripling
Holly is from Grandview, TN and is currently working on creating a map using ArcGIS
Pro that shows current and potential sinkhole areas in Putnam County. She received
her Bachelor's of Science degree in 2022 with a concentration in Geosciences. Holly
currently works as a Graduate Assistant at Tennessee Tech in both the Earth Sciences
Department and the School of Environmental Studies.
David Sutton
David is from Olympia, WA and is interested in enrolling in the PhD program to do
integrated research using ArcGIS Modeling to determine the plume of landfill leachate
and the effects heavy metals have on a watershed's aquatic and plant life. He is a
Combat Veteran and was in the U.S Army for 16 years. David currently works for the
Department of Environment and Conservation as an Environmental Consultant.
Sarah Terpstra
Sarah was born and raised in Oak Ridge, TN but currently resides in Nashville, TN.
Her recent Environmental GIS project was evaluating soil suitability for subsurface
disposal systems based on soil absorption rates and hillside slope. Sarah currently
works as an Environmental Consultant with the State's Division of Water Resources,
writing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for municipal
and industrial facilities. These permits require permittees to meet certain conditions
in order to prevent pollution and protect the streams and rivers in our state.
Vennela Vakapali
Vennela is from India and loves singing, designing, dancing, cooking, writing, and
speaking. She currently works as a TA at Tennessee Tech.
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