|
The
MELDI fellowship package may vary depending on whether the
recipient is a continuing or new student. Each semester
the fellowship provides a stipend to cover tuition and
health insurance costs. MELDI and the Rackham School of
Graduate Studies will continue to identify and fund MELDI
fellows. The number of fellows may vary each year depending
on funding availability. MELDI fellows will be minority
students who are enrolled in or have been accepted to the
University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and
Environment.
The 2005 MELDI Fellow
The Minority Environmental
Leadership Development Initiative, in collaboration with
Rackham School of Graduate Studies, congratulates Jada
R. Williams as the 2005 MELDI fellowship recipient.
 Research
Area:Protecting habitats through the creation of
ecotourism establishments that supply economic growth to
developing countries while employing sustainable development
techniques to conserve natural resources.
Biography:During her previous studies,
Ms. Williams interned for Operation Crossroads Africa where
her interest in conservation biology and ecotourism was
sparked after visiting the Mgahinga National Gorilla Park
in Uganda. After graduating from Tulane School of Public
Health and Tropical Medicine in 2002, Ms. Williams worked
as the West Nile Virus Surveillance Coordinator for the
Michigan Department of Community Health where she explored
the interaction between emergent infectious diseases, human
health, the environment, and animal welfare. As a member
of the State of Michigan’s Minority Health Disparities Taskforce,
Ms. Williams explored inequalities related to HIV/AIDS,
sexually transmitted diseases, infant mortality, chronic
disease, and various other health topics. This experience
has allowed her to assist in improving state policies on
racial disparities in health care, education, disease prevention,
and treatment options.
The 2004 MELDI Fellow
The Minority Environmental Leadership Development
Initiative, in collaboration with Rackham School of Graduate
Studies, congratulates Shumaisa Khan as the
2004 MELDI fellowship recipient.
 Research
Area: Areas of interest include the impact of international
relations on the environment of developing nations via trade,
conflict, and multinationals' production activities.
Biography:
During her previous studies, Shumaisa interned at the
EPA Office of Pesticide Programs and the Health Section
of UNICEF, Cairo. After graduating from Johns Hopkins School
of Public Health in 2000, Shumaisa spent a few years working
as Program Coordinator for USAID and UNICEF-funded maternal
and child health projects in the Asia, Near East, and Europe
region. For the past year, she has worked as a freelance
reporter/producer, covering health and human rights issues.
The 2003 MELDI Fellow
The Minority Environmental Leadership Development Initiative,
in collaboration with Rackham School of Graduate Studies,
congratulates the first MELDI fellowship recipient, Kevin
Hill.
Research Area: Strengthening institutional mechanisms
for biodiversity conservation in developing countries within
the framework of an international regime for biodiversity
conservation.
Biography: For the ten years prior to commencing doctoral
studies at the University of Michigan in 2000, Mr. Hill worked
as a Facilitator and Technical Advisor in various departments
of the United Nations on environmentally-sound and sustainable
development, biodiversity conservation, and the development
of strategic action plans for the protection of international
waters. Prior to his work at the United Nations, Mr. Hill
worked for the government of Jamaica on initiatives to protect
the forests of the Blue Mountains. He was also a Project Coordinator
for the creation of a wetland nature reserve in Negril. Mr.
Hill also worked as a consultant for the development of integrated
freshwater aquaculture/agriculture project in China under
the auspices of the Food and Agricultural Organization with
international financing through the International Fund for
Agricultural Development.
|
