Degree Program

MS Environmental Sciences

Home University

Tennessee State University

Home Mentor

Matthew Blair, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University

Cornell Mentor

Virginia Moore, School of Integrative Plant Science and Rachel Bezner Kerr, Department of Global Development

About the Fellow

Maia M. Payne is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Geospatial Sciences at Tennessee State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Her many research interests include climate change, environmental justice, food security, and geospatial analyses for risk assessment and mitigation.

Maia enjoys having a multidisciplinary approach to her research endeavors. She is currently working on a trans-boundary research project which focuses on the use of black-eyed peas for food and nutritional security while utilizing geospatial techniques. Maia is a research assistant working in both biotechnology and GIS labs. She also serves as an HBCU student advisor with the Citizen Science Association in the development of a new Community Science Fellowship Program for students at HBCUs.