UH-Clear Lake Assistant Professor of Geography Deanna Schmidt has been awarded $47,452 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions for her proposal, “Planning for Disaster Recovery and Resilient Communities with Faith-Based and Secular Nonprofit Organizations.”

 

The award marks the second year Schmidt has received a grant from the Department of Homeland Security program. Funding will run for one year, beginning in January, and allow for continued research and collaboration with the Coastal Hazards Center of Excellence.

 

 “The research award acknowledges the success of the previous Department of Homeland Security award, and revealed the significant role of faith-based and secular nonprofit organizations in disaster recovery,” says Schmidt. “More effective disaster response and recovery will increase the resilience of our community.”

 

Funds will also support one graduate student and two undergraduate students conducting research and help integrate that research into the classroom, says Schmidt.

 

Schmidt’s research interests include coastal resilience to natural and man-made hazards, urban geography, urban real estate development and impacts of environmental sustainability and environmental change on the processes of urban development, the roles of local environmental organizations in sustainable urban development and community organizing for environmental justice.

 

For more information about Schmidt and her research, visit http://hsh.uhcl.edu/faculty.

 

Keep Pearland Beautiful Assistant Director Fay Watson will present “Environmental Responsibility: How Can I Help Keep Pearland Beautiful?” Feb. 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m., in the Melvin Knapp Center, 2424 South Park Ave., Pearland, 77581.