Aimee Awad with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

I have just completed my year-long practicum and internship with the US EPA located in Washington, D.C and look forward to entering the full-time role of program analyst with the Information Exchange Partnership Branch. As a remote intern I worked to analyze the performance of the Exchange Network Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity focused on improving environmental data quality and sharing among states, territories, federally recognized tribes, Alaska native villages and the EPA. Exchange Network projects include a wide range of dataflows or project types in air, water, waste, GIS, and compliance reporting. 

First working in Excel and then R, I analyzed 20 years of program data to provide metrics of performance and identify trends in dataflow, media, and project types. I also worked with EPA tribal partners and coordinators to lead an outreach effort that examined the information and management technology needs of tribal nations. Using cumulative results from these data, I made recommended revisions to the application process and text of application documents for greater clarity and accessible language.  My hope is these changes make the grant application process more equitable and that all future Exchange Network applicants have a more positive experience in their efforts to secure funding for their IT and environmental data needs.