@AWIS DC – Page 15 – Association for Women in Science, Washington DC Chapter

Welcome to 2014 with AWIS DC! This year, we are taking the opportunity afforded by social media to give you a brief “introduction” to all of the AWIS DC officers. We are here to help you, and if you spot us at an AWIS DC gathering, please say hi!

For our next installment in this series, please welcome our Vice President for Membership, Eeda Wallbank!

Eeda Wallbank has a B.S. in Environmental Biology and Botany from Michigan State University. She is an Environmental Scientist specializing in hazardous materials emergency responses and the restoration of Superfund sites, brownfields, and federal properties. You can follow her on Twitter at @EedaWallbank

What do you do?

I’m an Environmental Scientist for ARCADIS U.S. Inc. and the bulk of my work is spent responding to releases to the environment, either historical (Superfund sites) or recent (emergency response). The thing that I enjoy most is being called into an emergency response situation and being part of the team that mitigates the initial hazard, restores services, and sets that area to rights. It’s exceptionally stressful and demanding, but is also exceptionally rewarding.

What is your science “story?”

In 7^th grade I had a science teacher that was very keen on having as much course work completed outside the classroom as possible. One such field effort was to the Rouge River (Hines Drive Park, Livonia Mi). It was basic data collection, river velocity, turbidity, and insect and vegetation identification. We had a piece of equipment get hung up in a log jam and with all the ingenuity and angel protected dumb luck of pre-teens we decided to retrieve the equipment…and I fell in. Thankfully no worse for the wear, I came out soaking wet and hooked on environmental science. I returned the following year as an 8^th grade field team leader, after promising my teacher to keep everyone’s feet on dry land.

Why did you decide to get involved with AWIS DC?

In the short time that I’ve been in this field it’s been a pleasure to see the number of women entering this field continue to grow. When I first moved to the Baltimore/DC area in 2008 I had very little in the way of a support network. AWIS became an outlet to meet and interact with other women in STEM.

What is one of your favorite things about AWIS DC?

AWIS has always felt very inclusive and welcoming. There are members from all aspects of the STEM world from the AAAS scholars, to policy makers, laboratory specialists, and environmental scientists. We’re all speaking the same language and want each other to succeed.

What new program or event at AWIS DC do you like the most? Why?

I think that the Mentoring Circles Program is off to a fantastic start in its second year. It has created a venue for many women to give and take valuable insight in an open forum.

In your new position, what do you hope you will help AWIS DC accomplish?

As the VP for Membership I would like to be able to support the new and existing services AWIS DC provides to grow the chapter membership.

When did you fall in love with science?

I fell in love in science when I fell into that river. Now that my girls are getting old enough to begin learning about the world around them I fall in love with science again through their eyes.

It also makes me smile when I explain to my oldest that I have to be gone for a week for a response she says to me “It’s ok Mommy. I’m sorry your train broke; time to clean up the environment.” Now if only I could get that on video.

Author: @AWIS DC

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Q&A with Eeda Wallbank!

RSVP by tomorrow for the Spring Networking Event!