Nilsson lands STEM fellowship, grant

Helene Nilsson has landed a prestigious opportunity to grow her skills and received a grant through the same program to support her research. Nilsson is now the University of North Georgia's (UNG) second STEM NetX Fellowship selection.

Her research grant will support work by Nilsson and Dr. Amber Ignatius, associate professor of geography and geospatial science, to examine the impact of infrastructure projects such as the newly opened Gainesville Inland Port on air quality and traffic in the Lake Lanier watershed.

STEMNetX is a STEM initiative supported by CCL-US.ORG, a nonprofit organization with a vision of empowering future STEM leaders through innovative experiential learning. The opportunity included a one-week paid bootcamp at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, in May with training in data analysis, coding and software tools. She will take part in multiple online workshops in the coming months.

Nilsson was skeptical of her chances to earn the fellowship and receive the research grant, but she said her success on both fronts was eye-opening.

"Doubting myself isn't the most realistic thing to do," said Nilsson, a junior from Suwanee, Georgia, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis.

She said her time on the ground in Pennsylvania with other fellowship participants and mentors further pushed back against her impostor syndrome.

"Everyone was wonderful and super kind and willing to share their expertise," Nilsson said. "I was able to learn so much without feeling judged or behind."

Her faculty members in the Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental Spatial Analysis (IESA) were not surprised to see her snag the prestigious fellowship. Dr. John O'Sullivan, professor of environmental studies, serves as Nilsson's advisor. He appreciates her thoughtful approach and easygoing nature that allow her to work well in groups.

"You can see right when you meet her that she's more aware of the state of the world environmentally than most people are, and it concerns her," O'Sullivan said. "She wants to help, and you can feel that. There's an ethic of wanting to make a difference."

Ignatius said Nilsson's active participation in class and attendance at Geospatial Alliance club meetings signaled to the faculty member the student's desire to excel.

"She had a great ability to connect technology with real-world issues," Ignatius said. "I could tell right away that she was here to make a difference and go above and beyond."

Dr. Katty Mobasher, professor of geology and GIS, said Nilsson asks great questions and has an insatiable desire to learn. That makes the fellowship a perfect fit for the student.

"This award will help Helene to grow both personally and professionally. She's early in our program, and I'm excited to see where she will go with this," Mobasher said. "She's serious. She wants to learn. And she's going to get the job done."