Dedicated Environmental Scientist with extensive experience in water quality assessments and leading fieldwork initiatives. Proven track record in collaborating on large-scale projects with a professional demeanor, and strong passion for conservation science and community outreach.
Drexel Universty, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Ecology and Evolution concentration
Minor: Biology
Fulbright Independent Research Scholar Suva, Fiji
Independent Researcher
September 2023 – July 2024
Served as principal investigator of blue carbon storage research in seagrass meadows.
Oversaw collection of 200 sediments samples over 3 sites across main island of Viti Levu, Fiji
Processed samples for moisture content using drying oven and prepped cores for carbon content analysis
Collaborated with local NGOs on seagrass restoration project and marine conservation
Compiled and organized field and lab data for statistical analysis
Served as communication point for project and presented research on marine biology and seagrass ecology at local libraries, and several local schools
Academy of Natural Sciences
Philadelphia, PA
Research Technician
April 2021 – August 2023
Collected and analyzed soil, surface water, and groundwater samples for assessing groundwater environmental impact
Coordinated overnight field work trips to 6 field sites across east coast U.S (NY, NJ, MA, RI)
Performed drone surveys and created orthomosaics from drone imagery using Agisoft
Performed daily data collection, entry, and analyses of vegetation, drainage rate, soil, and water data
Conducted installation of water level loggers and groundwater wells for hydrology analysis
Maintained lab and field equipment with cleaning and daily calibration test.
Mentored high school students participating in environmental science enrichment program DESLA
Academy of Natural Sciences
Philadelphia, PA
Curatorial Assistant
April – January 2020, May 2022 – September 2023
Georeferenced total of 1464 unique localities across North America, South America, and Europe
Photographed specimens and prepared imagery using focus stacking software for Eastern Pacific invertebrate Communities of the Cenozoic (EPICC) project
Led presentations for donor events and high school programs
Maintained and organized over 1 million general collection specimens as well as 5, 000 type specimens Supervised over 11 interns and volunteers throughout the year
Led presentations for donor events and high school programs with professional demeanor
Record data specimens and enter of specimens into Invertebrate Paleontology collection database
Oversaw digitization of type collection and prepared imagery using focus stacking software
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, PA
Research Assistant
March – September 2019
Studied development of rat mammary glands treated with carcinogens
Analyzed large scale datasets
Contributed to manuscript to summarize experiment
Used Aperio and Sigma plot to develop criteria for cell selection
Drexel Study Abroad
Bioko, Equatorial Guinea
Student Researcher
December – March 2019
Researched various anima taxa biodiversity in correlation to hunting pressures humans
Recorded field surveys of bird, monkey, and sea turtle populations using cyber trackers
Engaged in field excursions into undisturbed forest and beach habitats
Summarized data in the form of scientific reports
Academy of Natural Science
Philadelphia, PA
Butterfly Exhibit Employee
September – December 2018
Supported Butterfly and Arthropod husbandry activities
Engaged children and adults in conservation of butterflies
Led school trips through butterfly exhibit
Drexel: STAR Student
Philadelphia, PA
Research Assistant
June – August 2018
Improved the predictive power of a hunting risk map using socioeconomic factors
Analyzed scientific literature and compiled information into Excel
Recorded and organized GIS data on Cameroon
Formatted GIS data using Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS)
Used modeling software in R script to create niche models
Njie, D, E.B. Watson, and L. Champlin. 2022. Development of a low-cost tidal simulation system
for mesocosm research. Ocean Sciences Meeting, 24 February - 4 March, 2022
Freyland, K., A. Payne, D. Njie, and E. Watson. 2022. Ecohydrology of the coastal wetland- forest ecotone. National Diversity in STEM conference, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos, Latinos, and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). October 26 - 28, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Payne, A., Watson, E.B., Njie, D., and Chatman, A. 2022. Salt marsh hydrology: patterns in
groundwater flooding along a marsh forest gradient. Ocean Sciences Meeting, 28 February - March 4, 2022.
Njie, D., Walker, A., Mitchell, Mitchell, M., D., Gonder, K. 2018. Improving the predictive power of a hunting risk map using socioeconomic factors. Star Scholars Summer showcase. August 20, 2018
Cherneskie, Kylie, et al. "Drainage Influences Coastal Salt Marsh Productivity and Soil Biogeochemistry." Aquatic Botany193 (2024): 103772.