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Dr. Fushcia-Ann Hoover is a social-ecological systems scientist exploring the intersections of urban hydrology, green infrastructure, and ecosystem services in the context of environmental justice and urban planning. In her work, she uses spatial analysis, qualitative surveying methods, and scientific methods from urban hydrology and statistical hydrology to address complex urban issues and equity. As a postdoc at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), she works with Dr. Sara Meerow (ASU) to investigate ways of using green infrastructure to build equity in marginalized urban communities.
She earned her PhD and master’s from the Interdisciplinary Ecological Sciences and Engineering (ESE) program in the Agriculture and Biological Engineering department at Purdue University, and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Saint Thomas, MN.
In what ways does nature inspire or inform your work?
Nature is fundamental to all things I do. As a researcher, the questions I ask are shaped by my personal experiences of being outside, and I explore how those relationships exist for others.
What does it mean to you to be part of a thriving ecosystem?
Thriving is a beautiful word and I really think about my place in an ecosystem as symbiotic. To me, it means I’m living in service with my environment and those around me and my environment is nourishing me in return. It can look a lot of different ways, but ultimately, I’m asking Am I causing harm and who or what am I harming? How can I change my behavior to mitigate that harm?