Professional Portfolio

The University of Suriname selected me as a Fulbright Specialist to work on a Climate Research Study. There were three objectives:

1. Developing an inventory quantifying greenhouse gases in Suriname. Suriname is an agricultural country, so methane and nitrous oxides GHGs are prevalent there. Also, finding technology to reduce GHG gases is important.

2. To expand the University of Suriname's agricultural program and integrate each department into the initiative

3. To use findings from reports and the farmers interviewed to develop climate-smart technology specific to Suriname and other developing nations

I met with the faculty to determine important strategies from their expertise.  We went into the coastal and interior regions to interview farmers on climate impacts and their current farming techniques. We also talked to government officials who are looking to have more residents become farmers. 

Findings

• The impacts of climate in Suriname include droughts, storm surges, and flooding (picture above), and salt intrusion.

• Suriname has a large variety of produce and animal products. Increasing exportation  will significantly help their Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• Suriname is a carbon-negative country, but is being impacted by deforestation, an increase in GHG, and illegal mining. 

• There are several policy recommendations in place, but they need to be executed.

During this research project (six weeks only), we identified a GHG inventory created by the government. I researched government reports on current policy and identified gaps in policy needs.  I also found articles identifying technologies to reduce GHG emissions.  

Being that I was in Suriname for six weeks,  this project is ongoing.

What's Next?

• I'm working on writing a publication in peer-review and non-academic journals.

For my Alma mater, Stillman College, I participated in a program sponsored by the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Grant called the BREEM Series. I taught a three-day college readiness course for research careers, covering career options, graduate school admissions, networking with faculty, research

design, and academic publications. Presented research models such as applied and

community-based participatory research (CBPR).

I gave my personal experience of developing a research project and the various steps in the scientific method on a larger scale. I provided materials to benefit them in the event they would pursue graduate studies with a research focus.

L: Climate Reality Project at Tuscaloosa's UU service discussing a potential measure on single-use plastic; R: Anti-Racism panel at Wofford College (virtual)

Panelist at the EJ Session at the Mental Health Equity and Liberation Summit, Dr. Nadia Johnson, and I are pictured with fellow panelists and speakers.

L: Kevin King, Director of King's Kitchen & Amerika Blair of Bloomberg Innovation at Resilient Roots, showcasing original artwork inspired by my environmental session; R: Fulbright Alumni at Stillman discussing  Fulbright opportunities

L: Me at Martin Luther King Elementary talking about History Firsts and my work as an environmentalist; R: I served as a panelist for an EJ panel

Resilient Roots Learning Session with King’s Canvass Art Exhibitors; Presentation:

Resilient Roots: Reimagining Futures, Wealth, Climate, and Justice in Montgomery’s

Underserved Communities; Bloomberg Innovation Hub, Montgomery, AL; September 5,

2025

Disaster Recovery Presentation; Presentation: From Chaos to Resilience: Community

Power in Disaster Recovery; Partnership for Southern Equity, Atlanta, GA, May 22, 2025

Panel: Energy, Environment, and Health; Just Energy Academy Cohort 7; Partnership for

Southern Equity, July 15, 2025

MHHERC Presentation: Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Health Impacts:

What's Voting Got To Do With It; Delta Research and Educational Foundation’s (DREF) All

of Us Research Program, Voting and the Connection to Your Health series, October 29,

2024

Panel Section 3: Building Health and Climate Research Capacity in the U.S. Gulf Coast

Workshop 1; National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (NASEM);

Presentation: Exploring Opportunities for Building Research Capacity in Climate, Health,

and Resilience in the Gulf, October 29, 2024

Seminar Presentation: Fulbright Specialist, Anton de Kom University of Suriname:

Presentation: “Addressing Climate Change in Developing Countries”, Paramaribo,

Suriname, November 22, 2024

Panel: One Earth Film Festival: Into the Ice Documentary, Participants: A. Garcia-Doyle,

A. Rosenthal, K. Goodson, T. Harris, D. Howells; One Earth Collective, March 2023.

Panel: “Gaining Science & Technology Policy Experience outside of D.C.,

” Participants: A. Garg, K. Goodson, D. Stine, A. Smith, & J. Warren; Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally, April 2021.

Presentation: “Christ & Climate Change-The Role of the Church in Climate Action and

Social Change,”, Presenter: K. Goodson; Montevallo Presbyterian Church, February 2021.

Presentation: “Career Presentation for Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources, and

Related Science-MANRRS” Presenter: E. Webber, Facilitator: K. Goodson; Stillman

College Upward Bound, November 2020.

My resume and CV have the full list....