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Did you know that IPAs staff members are just as varied and interesting as our many areas of expertise? On #MeetUsMondays, well feature a different member of our team each week in the hopes that you can get to know us better.
Lets meet Martha Narvaez (MPA '02). We asked Martha five questions, read on for her responses:
Who are you?
I am the Associate Director of the University of Delaware Water Resource Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration. I have worked at the Water Resources Center for 16 years. Every day I work on projects to increase public knowledge about water resources and provide scientific and technical data to decision-makers in Delaware and the region.
What are you working on?
I work on all things related to water quality and water supply. My projects span research, policy, and education. The project I am most passionate about is the City of Wilmington Green Jobs Program. This is a summer youth employment program for 14 to 18-year-old City residents to learn about local environmental resources, environmental concerns, and potential careers in the environmental field. I developed this program in partnership with the City of Wilmington. This year is the 10th year of the program, and it has been an amazing experience to see this program grow and develop over the years. This summer has been especially interesting in adapting this program to a hybrid of virtual and in-person activities.
Where are you working?
I am writing this from my dining room table in Wilmington, Delaware. I have been working at home with constant companionship provided by my three boys (10, 9, 7), my husband, and my dog Betty. Ninety percent of the time I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to spend this time together as a family and to do things like take a walk in the middle of the day or take a lunch break with my family. There are also moments where I yearn for my NPR news sessions during my daily commute up and down I-95.
Why do you do this work?
I truly love the intersection of people and science. I have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Public Administration (MPA). I feel my background (and personality) gives me the ability to bridge the science of the water resources field and the social aspects of water resources management. In this field, there is a critical intersection of people and water and we will never improve the quality of our water or conserve and allocate our water resources if we dont consider the human side of the discipline.
When Im not working, Im:
The thing I love most about this time is how much time I have been able to spend outside. Being outside is what I love most and the fact that we have been forced to spend endless hours outside as a family has given me such joy. I also love to run, drink coffee and read, in that order.
