KRISTEN L. MCKINLEY / | 919.576.9222

EDUCATION

Master of Environmental Management
in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health
Duke University, Durham, N.C.
May 2018
Nicholas Scholar 2016 - 2018 / Bachelor of Science
in Environmental Technology & Management
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
December 2010 (Magna Cum Laude)
Pack Promise Scholar 2006 - 2010

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Graduate Coursework: Chemical Fate of Organic Compounds, Water Quality Health, Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, Chemical Transformation of Environmental Contaminants, Advanced Geospatial Analysis, Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Applied Data Analysis for Environmental Sciences

Master’s Project:Geochemical Factors Influencing Occurrence and Distribution of Hexavalent Chromium in NC Groundwater

  • Collected and analyzed groundwater samples for geochemical properties and hexavalent chromium concentration to determine the factors influencing the presence of the toxic metal in NC drinking wells.

Contaminant Risk Evaluation Report for Chemical Fate of Organic Compounds December 2016

  • Compiled literature and utilized modelling software (EpiSuite) to predict the environmental fate of 1,4-Dioxane release from industrial facilities in the US and to characterize the risk from drinking water.

Wind Farm Site Evaluation Report for Fundamentals of GIS and Geospatial Analysis December 2016

  • Utilized ModelBuilder in ArcGIS to evaluate geospatial data against criteria for siting a wind farm in Western NC and presented the analysis results in a technical report.

EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE

  • President, Out in STEM Chapter at Duke UniversityMay 2017 – Present
  • Communications Officer, Out in STEM Chapter at Duke UniversityAugust 2016 – May 2017
  • Project Innovator, Duke Interdisciplinary Social InnovatorsJanuary 2017 – May 2017

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, Duke University – EOS Division / Durham, NC / August 2016 – Present
  • Collect and analyze groundwater samples to study the relationship between geochemistry and water quality for at-risk populations around the globe.
  • Research the origin and scope of hexavalent chromium, a toxic metal and emerging contaminant, in groundwater drinking wells of rural populations across North Carolina.

Gas Chromatography Analyst, Enthalpy Analytical, Inc / Durham, NC / September 2011 – August 2017
  • Performed GC analysis of gas and liquid environmental samples for organic constituents in support of air quality regulation.
  • Oversaw operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing key analytical instruments and accessories.
  • Conductedon-site analysis at industrial plants for engineering and compliance testing under EPA regulations.
  • Instructed and train lab technicians on proper lab techniques and sample preparation.
  • Managed complex, multi-departmental projects as they move through the lab from sample receipt to laboratory report.
  • Developed analysis methods for atypical projects and optimize analysis methods for routine projects.
  • Identified and addressed systemic work issues, such as implementing a standardized system for chemical inventory management to increase work efficiency and decrease resource waste.

Lab Technician, Enthalpy Analytical, Inc / Durham, NC / May – September 2011
  • Prepared environmental samples for analysis by following SOPs and national methods, such as sorbent tube desorption and liquid/liquid extraction.
  • Maintained inventory of laboratory supplies such as consumables, solvents, and glassware to assist analysts.

Lab Assistant, NCSU – Forestry Dept. / Raleigh, NC / August – December 2010
  • Collected groundwater and soil samples, prepared freeze-dried leaf samples for Nitrogen/Carbon analysis, and maintained health of study plants in the greenhouse to support research on the environmental impacts of hog farm lagoons in NC.

Field Assistant, UNH – Natural Resources Dept. / Coatapec, Mexico / June 2010
  • Facilitated research on the crown-level microclimate factors in a tropical montane cloud forest by climbing oaks to collect data from remote Campbell Scientific CR1000 dataloggers and to maintain data gathering equipment.

Research Assistant, NCSU – Plant Biology Dept. / Brasilia, Brazil / May – August 2007, 2008
  • Investigated effects of microclimate and fuel characteristics on fire feedbacks at savanna-forest boundaries; utilizing micrometeorological stations and collecting subplots of vegetation along transects within the IBGE Ecological Reserve.
  • Organized data into a Microsoft Access database and performed preliminary statistical analyses for inclusion in publication.
  • Collected leaf samples for water potential and moisture content measurements to evaluate the water relations differences of savanna trees relative to congeneric forest treesfor survival in seasonal drought in savanna.
  • Engaged in individual and collaborative project coordination.

Publication:

Hoffmann, W. A., Jaconis, S. Y., McKinley, K. L., Geiger, E. L., Gotsch, S. G., & Franco, A. C. (2012). Fuels or microclimate? Understanding the drivers of fire feedbacks at savanna-forest boundaries. Austral Ecology, 37(6), 634–643.