The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) recently announced that Jennifer Whytlaw, GIS Manager in the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group at the Bloustein School and a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography at Rutgers University, is the recipient of a $5,000 USGIF Scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year for education and/or research expenses.
To further the advancement of the geospatial tradecraft, USGIF is dedicated to assist promising students studying GEOINT, geospatial sciences, and related fields. The annual USGIF Scholarship Program recognizes the achievements of graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. Scholarship recipients are selected based on their academic and professional excellence.
At the Bloustein School, Jennifer’s research interests are focused in hazards research including climate impacts on vulnerable populations and preparedness activities in communities to help mitigate impacts on critical infrastructure including senior facilities. She has worked with the Department of Homeland Security and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop decision support systems to enhance planning capabilities and risk management strategies of maritime stakeholders. She assisted the US Environmental Protection Agency Region II in developing a database of facilities to aid in prioritizing pollution prevention technical assistance for facilities vulnerable to flood hazards, and is the Bloustein lead member of the development team on a New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance initiative to develop a NJ-based all-climate hazards web-based application and associated website (NJADAPT.org).
Jennifer is also the Project Manager of a NJ Department of Health funded Healthy Homes Project as well as a FEMA funded mapping project. Prior to joining Bloustein in 2009, Jennifer worked in the fields of maritime safety, environmental policy and planning, and environmental engineering. She received a Master of Science Degree in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Political Science from Albright College. She is also an active member of MAC URISA, the Chair of the Executive Committee of the NJ Geospatial Forum, and a member of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Association (NHMA).
USGIF has awarded $1,003,000 in scholarships since launching the program in 2004. The Scholarship Program is funded by donations, the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNC), USGIF membership dues, and the USGIF Allder Golf Classic.