AJ Blackburn

Currently, I am the K-12 STEM Outreach Program Coordinator for the EPA-RTP campus through the ORAU Contractor Program. I received a B.S. in Biology from Wingate University where I worked as a biology course peer tutor and an undergraduate student researcher. My undergraduate research focused on assessing the efficacy of citizen science tools for monitoring bat populations. This project, Smartphones as a Non-Invasive Surveying Tool to Monitor Bats, was published in the Journal of Young Investigators in 2019 and selected for the "Best of 2019" Special Issue. I also founded and served as the President and Treasurer of the Wingate Wildlife Club, a student-run organization dedicated to bringing wildlife and conservation awareness to the local community and K-12 students. 

I recently earned my M.S. in Biology from Western Carolina University where I studied high-elevation rock outcrop plant and community ecology and taught undergraduate level organismal biology, ecology and evolution, and human genetics. I continued to be a huge advocate for citizen science efforts and STEM outreach and programming and decided to pursue a career in STEM Outreach following my graduation. 

PLEASE NOTE:

• The Speakers Bureau is available for scheduling presentations only. For questions about EPA Research, visit Contact Us About EPA Research. For general questions about EPA, visit Contact EPA.
• Travel is limited to approximately 50 miles from Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area. All travel is up to the discretion of the speaker.
• There is no charge for a speaker.
• Submit requests at least 4 weeks in advance.
• Requests limited to two speakers per event.
• If you have a large event and would like to request multiple speakers from EPA, Contact the Speakers Bureau for assistance.

Confirmation Policy: 
If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact the speakers as soon as possible, but no later than 1 week prior to the presentation.