Placement: Department of Public Works and Engineering – Office of the Director

Supervisors: Michael S. Marcotte, Director; Waynette Chan, Chief of Staff

Project: An overhaul of the City’s low-income water and wastewater subsidy program to better serve the needs of the community. I also work on a number of special projects for the Department and monitor legislation that impacts Public Works as it works its way through the local and state legislative process.

What I am Doing Now: I am studying for a graduate degree in urban and regional planning at the London School of Economics.  I plan on attending Law School upon my return to the United States.

Hometowns: Sacramento, CA, Falls Church, VA, and Austin, TX

School: The University of Texas at Austin

Field of Study: Anthropology Honors and History

Selected Honors: UT College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Distinguished Graduate (12 out of 2,500 graduates), Phi Beta Kappa, Friar Society

Selected Activities and Community Involvement: Liberal Arts Council - President, Texas Blazers (community service organization), UT Marathon Team, Junior Fellows (honors research symposium)

Prior Work Experience: GSD&M Idea City Advertising - Marketplace Planning Intern, UT Tower Tour Guide, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Ethnographic research study of Center’s visitor base

Why Houston is important to me: My family traces its roots to Texas and California so Houston has a long history in my family. My thesis in college focused on sustainable urban development polices and how cities manage growth through infrastructure projects, so I am excited to play a part in helping build a more sustainable future for the country’s fourth largest city.

Something unique about me: I am a marathon runner (my favorite race so far is the ING New York City Marathon) and I love exploring Houston on foot during my runs. There really is no better way to get a feel for a city than seeing the built landscape on foot and at a human, albeit running, pace. In January 2009 I will be running the Chevron Houston Marathon.