Current EMAP Students

First Years

Reagan Giesenschlag

Reagan Giesenschlag is Director of Chemicals, Materials, and Sustainability Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where she advises member companies and advocates on key environmental and chemical policy issues. Her portfolio includes chemical manufacturing and use (including PFAS, TSCA, and chemical risk management), clean air and water regulations, recycling policy and the circular economy, and plastics. Before joining NAM, Reagan worked in regulatory affairs at The Fertilizer Institute, engaging with federal agencies and coalitions on environmental, health, safety, and security matters. She brings expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks to support sustainable manufacturing and responsible chemical management. Reagan earned her B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Jennie Lee

Jennie Lee earned her B.S. in Chemistry with a Green Engineering minor at Virginia Tech. Her prior research experience spans from observing secondary organic aerosol reaction kinetics to characterizing atmospheric microplastic deposition in Southwestern Appalachia. She is passionate about utilizing analytical and physical chemistry to understand the composition and abundance of pollutants in the atmosphere and waterways to protect human health. At Georgetown University’s EMAP program, she wishes to learn more about the intersection of analytical chemistry and policy to prepare for a public research position and further deepen her research skills in this realm. During her free time, she loves to attend concerts, visit new cafes, and collect many little trinkets.

Bethany Perkins

Bethany Perkins is from a small town in Vermont and has lived in the DMV for seven years. She earned her BS in Environmental Science with a minor in Public Health from American University, where she researched pollutants in the Anacostia River through organic geochemistry methods. Bethany has worked in the metals industry professionally for two years, focusing on a wide range of projects including life cycle assessment, sustainability data, circular economy, and environmental and human health. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Georgetown’s EMAP program to deepen her technical expertise and explore the complexities of environmental policy. Outside of work and school, she leads volunteer EMS training at a Montgomery County fire department, is an avid scuba diver and rock climber, and has two sweet cats, Berry and Glen.

Pattara (Bank) Pooresatith

Bank was born and grew up in Bangkok, Thailand until he finished high school. He then spent four years in Seattle, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Washington.

With an interest in polymer chemistry and instrumental analysis, and a desire to solve environmental problems both in my homeland and globally, Bank decided to join the EMAP program. He hopes to learn and contribute at the real frontier of environmental science and policy.In his free time, Bank loves watching movies, especially at independent cinemas. When he is looking to socialize and meet new people, he enjoys attending Lindy Hop dance social events.

Yuxin Zhou

Yuxin graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a degree in Environmental Science and Engineering.

Throughout her undergraduate studies, she engaged in a range of research projects—from drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks, to pollutant dispersion modeling in marine systems, and sustainability accounting under UN frameworks. These experiences gave her a strong foundation in environmental science and data analysis. However, I came to realize that while technical progress is essential, its real-world influence often depends on effective implementation and policy design.

At Georgetown’s Environmental Metrology and Policy (EMAP) program, Yuxin aims to further explore the integration of scientific evidence with policy-making. She is particularly interested in environmental governance and compliance, and hopes to contribute to building systems where sustainability goals can be translated into tangible outcomes that improve lives.

Second Year Students

Emily Clements

In the EMAP program, Emily focuses on the intersection of environmental science, analytical chemistry, and regulatory policy. Originally from Andover, Massachusetts, she earned her Sc.B. in Environmental Science from Brown University, where she followed the Conservation Science and Policy track.

As an undergraduate, she conducted research on paleoclimate reconstruction using marine sediment cores and later expanded her interests to coral reef health and marine pollution. Emily was also a Division I student-athlete at Brown and served as captain on the women’s swim team.

She is particularly interested in advancing environmental monitoring technologies, improving chemical risk communication, and developing science-based policies that address environmental health challenges. Emily is passionate about water quality, marine toxicology, and environmental justice, and hopes to continue contributing to research and policy that protect both ecosystems and public health.

Theo Daniels

Theo Daniels (he/him) is the Climate Policy Manager at Second Nature. In this role, he will focus on federal climate policy-related analysis, strategy, and outreach, with a specific focus on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Before joining Second Nature, Theo earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University. Next year, he will graduate from Georgetown University with an M.S. in Environmental Metrology and Policy. His past professional experience includes: the White House Council on Environmental Quality, NASA, the U.S. Congress, the Rachel Carson Council, and more. He has done extensive research on the intersection of people and climate, focusing on pressing climate issues in the South American continent.

Outside of work, Theo loves watching new movies, exploring local green spaces, and thrifting. Or, you can catch him at a conference speaking on the youth perspective of climate activism and engagement in the modern landscape. He is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, with his thematic foci revolving around the intersections of climate, culture, and justice. He grew up in Indiana but has called the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., home for the past five years.

Torin Honaker

Torin Honaker is originally from Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2022 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. After college, she worked at the VCU School of Medicine conducting pharmacology research on cancer-induced peripheral neuropathy. She later joined the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Epidemiology, where she supported outbreak surveillance of infectious diseases and contributed to statewide public health data efforts.
As a graduate student in Georgetown’s Environmental Metrology and Policy program, she interned with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Health Services, where she worked on projects related to Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) and wastewater surveillance. Her research at Georgetown has focused on PFAS detection in sunscreen products, coal ash regulation, and environmental risk assessment using analytical techniques such as HPLC-TOF-MS.
Torin is passionate about environmental health, regulatory science, and environmental justice. At Georgetown, she looks forward to continuing to bridge science and policy and contributing to solutions that promote environmental safety and health equity.

Eric Lo

After receiving his BSc. in Environmental Sciences from American University, Eric is continuing his studies at Georgetown where he is completing courses in environmental policy sciences and learning their respective chemical measurands.

In the lab, Eric gained experience with quantitative instruments such as GC-MS, LC-MS, and ICP-MS. He is most skilled in GC-MS, spending 2 years testing sediment samples from the Anacostia river in an effort to analyze PAH concentrations due to urban runoff. He also spent a semester calibrating lidar satellite images for a larger study quantifying the effects of tree canopy coverage in Baltimore, Maryland. Outside of the lab, Eric completed an policy internship at Smart Surfaces Coalition – which is a green-infrastructure consultancy firm – and is starting a summer data analysis internship at Alt Surya, a global climate advisory firm.

Eric grew up in Chappaqua, NY, a small town that’s an hour away from the city. He currently lives in Glover Park, DC where he likes to unwind and listen to his vinyl collection, or go out to play basketball with friends.

Radha Patel

Radha Patel (she/her) is from Clearwater, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Mandarin) and French, reflecting her deep appreciation for language and culture. Post-graduation, Radha spent a year teaching English at a French middle school in Paris, where she cultivated her interest in intercultural communication and fostering inclusive learning environments. Following her time in Paris, Radha moved to New York City to further her professional journey, completing a sustainable design certification from Pratt Institute. She immersed herself in the city’s dynamic design and sustainability ecosystem, working with organizations like GenSpace to promote innovative solutions and community engagement. Radha also volunteered with the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, advocating for sustainable practices in fashion and beyond. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Metrology and Policy at Georgetown University, Radha is committed to uniting scientific rigor with creative problem-solving to address pressing environmental challenges. As a polyglot who speaks English, Gujarati, French, and Mandarin, she is adept at navigating diverse spaces and connecting with people across cultures. Her experience in biomaterials and sustainable processes positions her to make meaningful contributions to the future of environmental science, sustainable design, and policy.

Corrine Rojas

Corrine Rojas is a geoscientist who has studied the Moon, Mars, and Earth from orbit as a mission science operations specialist for multiple NASA missions. Her work on Earth science missions has deepened her curiosity about our Earth’s delicate environment. This led her to Georgetown’s EMAP program, which has helped sharpen her technical skills in the lab while learning about environmental policy on the hill.

Corrine is a first generation Mexican-American and first in her family to attend college. She has a B.S. in Geography from Arizona State University. Her research interests include planetary geology, atmospheres, and aerosols, all of which can be applied to climate policy and strategy on planet Earth. She is passionate about science communication and served as principal investigator for a grant-funded project developing communication strategies for planetary scientists engaging with underrepresented and multilingual audiences.

When not working full-time or attending evening classes, Corrine can be found in her apartment tending to her large houseplant population, walking around DC’s fantastic parks, or putting in beginner hours sailing the Chesapeake Bay — quite an adventure for a self-described desert lizard.

InihAbasi Sunday

InihAbasi Sunday hails from Chesterfield Township, New Jersey, part of the Greater Philadelphia region. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Biology from Boston University in May 2024. While studying in Boston, he engaged in several organizations, including the Boston University Bands as a flutist and the Epsilon Eta professional environmental fraternity as a general member. His volunteer efforts with various organizations earned him the Treicy Torres Memorial Environmental Justice Award in 2023. InihAbasi’s professional background includes internships with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Built Environment Plus, along with a Graduate Teaching Assistant role at Georgetown University. A member of the Society of Toxicology and a volunteer for the American Heart Association, he is dedicated to promoting public health and enhancing environmental education through community involvement and advocacy. In the summer of 2025, InihAbasi will serve as an Environmental Health Policy and Research Intern with the Healthy Schools Network, where he will aid in developing a research framework and identifying data gaps to support healthier school environments. So far, he has contributed to the Healthy Schools Network by writing an article on state environmental health policies for their weekly newsletter. His work on the research plan will also help illuminate the current state of environmental health policies in the United States and the strides being made to mitigate health hazards in schools.

Jack Walker

Jack Walker is a second-year graduate student in the Environmental Metrology and Policy M.S. Program at Georgetown University. He graduated in May 2024 from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and secondary studies in Environmental Science & Public Policy. Additionally, he commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant through Air Force ROTC Detachment 365 based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jack commissioned as a Distinguished Graduate, representing the top 10% of those commissioning from Air Force ROTC in 2024. He is currently in the reserves to complete his graduate education and will then enter active duty upon graduation from Georgetown.

Jack has a background in alternative energy, air emissions, and the natural & physical sciences. He has worked at the National Cancer Institute, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Harvard-Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard-China Project, and Harvard Student Agencies. Jack is now working for Northeast Maglev and Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail to bring superconducting magnetic levitation train technology to the Baltimore-Washington corridor. He will be traveling to Japan for two weeks this summer in collaboration with the Japanese Central Railway and its maglev system. A core component of his work this summer will be navigating the National Environmental Policy Act requirements for the maglev project, to include public comments on the environmental impact statement submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration and the Maryland Transit Administration.

Isaac Xie

Isaac graduated in 2024 with a joint BA in Environmental Studies and Chemistry from Middlebury College. Strongly believing in the importance of balance in all aspects of life, he hopes to improve human society’s co-existence with the surrounding environment. His previous research involved inter-disciplinary environmental science topics including greenhouse gas measuring, ocean science, community engagement, and PFAS destruction. At Georgetown, Isaac is motivated everyday by the opportunities to work at the intersections of science, policy, economics, and philosophy for environmental impact. Additionally, he dreams of making his positive academic and career impact international, informed by his many experiences in international settings. Amongst his many hobbies, he particularly enjoys exploring the world on bicycle, public transit, or on foot.