Welcome from the MIS team!

31 May Welcome from the MIS team!

Lisa Norby

Welcome to the National Park Service and the Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program! I am happy that you are joining us as a Mosaics in Science intern this summer. Your role is critical in fulfilling the National Park Service (NPS) mission and I hope that you will find your work rewarding, challenging, meaningful, and lots of fun!

My name is Lisa Norby – I am the NPS Program Manager for the Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program and have bachelors and masters degrees in geology. I work with the NPS Geologic Resources Division and have been working with the NPS for the last 24 years. I have worked with a variety of youth programs since I was in high school, and in 2013, I created the Mosaics in Science Program with George McDonald, Chief of the NPS Youth Programs Division. The Mosaics Program is funded by the NPS and is managed in partnership with Environment for the Americas (EFTA) and Greening Youth Foundation (GYF). The Program’s objectives are to encourage diverse youth 18-35 years old to pursue studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and science) fields, introduce program participants to science careers in the National Park Service, and increase relevance, diversity, and inclusion in the NPS workplace.

I am excited that you will be joining the NPS team and hope that you have a fun and successful internship with the NPS. We really appreciate your interest in the National Park Service and your assistance protecting and preserving the outstanding natural resources in our national parks. Most of the communication you will receive this summer will be from EFTA/GYF, but I want you to know that I am available anytime to answer any questions you have about the program, the NPS, or science careers. I can be reached at lisa_norby@nps.gov. I am really excited to talk with you over the summer and to meet you in person at the career workshop in Colorado in August!

Lima Soto

Welcome to the Mosaics in Science Program! Congratulations on having been selected as a Mosaics intern this summer. The coming weeks may be a life-changing experience for you. My name is Limaris “Lima” Soto, and I am the Program Assistant with the National Park Service. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Puerto Rico and my Master’s degree in Geology from the University of South Florida. I have over 15 years of experience working as a geologist in caves/karst science, but my scientific interests include; hydrogeology, geophysics, education and outreach, and youth programs. Prior to joining the NPS Geologic Resources Division in 2013 as a partner, I worked as a project manager and geology department supervisor with SDII Global Corporation, a forensics engineering company, doing sinkhole investigations in the state of Florida. In my spare time, I like to go hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions during the internship. I am looking forward to hearing about your project at the career workshop in Colorado.

Isabel Justiniano

Hello Mosaics in Science interns!

I’m so excited for the amazing summer adventure you’re all going to have with the National Park Service! After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their summer living in a beautiful national park?

Although this is my first time working with the National Parks Service, I have worked as an intern for Environment for the Americas in Oregon. While in Oregon, I had the opportunity to work on shorebird and seabird research and to develop my outreach skills with the Latino community there. This internship experience made me realize just how much I enjoy spreading the message of conservation to all. After this internship, I had a desire to continue working in conservation and so I went right back to EFTA. My favorite part of my job is getting to work with so many talented and passionate people, all with unique stories and experiences to bring to the table. I’m really looking forward to hearing about your own experiences during our workshop! See you soon!

Eboni Preston

Welcome to the Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program! My name is Eboni Preston, and I am a Director of Programs at the Greening Youth Foundation (GYF). For the last few years I have worked in nonprofit management, community development, and youth development programs. I, along with GYF, EFTA, and NPS, am very excited to work with all of you this summer. I am thrilled to follow you as you embark on this amazing journey!

Christine Louis-Jacques

Hello Everyone! Welcome. My name is Christine Louis-Jacques and I am a Project Manager with the Greening Youth Foundation. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I moved to Washington, DC and worked with a dynamic organization called the Children’s Environmental Health Network whose mission to protect our vulnerable from environmental hazards. It was there that I discovered my deep interest within the environmental field while advocating for a healthier earth for us all. With my background in the non-profit field, I am able to fuse my love for nature and building community. In addition to assisting with the Mosaics in Science Program, I also facilitate environmental education activities with students K-6 within the Metro Atlanta area.

I look forward to supporting you along this new journey that will benefit your lives in the future!