Ariel Weaver

Ariel Weaver has earned a Fulbright Study/Research Award to Namibia. Her work there will focus on using remote sensing and geographic technology to look at patterns on the landscape and use that information to inform policymakers and stakeholders in the community to manage land more effectively.

The U.S. Student Fulbright Program, a federally sponsored international, educational and cultural exchange, recognizes academic merit and leadership potential. The program promotes mutual understanding between U.S. residents and people in more than 155 countries worldwide. Fulbrights are among the most prestigious awards in higher education.

“The communities in the Zambezi particularly inspire me, as they build community-based conservation networks-- while balancing needs to support a growing population currently dependent on subsistence farming. A Fulbright grant would give me an amazing opportunity to contribute to the sustainable conservation and development efforts ongoing in this region.”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of study:
  2015 graduate from College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in applied geography. Currently a graduate student majoring in geography with an expected graduation date of May 2017.

• Other recognition and honors:
  Critical Language Scholarship

Inspired By

“I would like to particularly emphasize the tremendous support and encouragement that Dr. Andrea Gaughan of the Department of Geography and Geosciences. As her research assistant, I have been able to work with interesting research questions and reinforce my understanding of remote sensing technologies and geographic analysis. I would also like to mention Dr. Forrest Stevens as another source of support and inspiration in our department. Dr. Gaughan and Dr. Stevens jointly run a weekly meeting for undergraduate and graduate students to discuss research, problems with statistics, and new methodologies. These meetings have been extremely helpful in keeping me motivated and prepared to share my research."

Hometown information

• Hometown:
  Tulsa, Oklahoma
• High school:
  2006 graduate Booker T. Washington High School

• Parents:
  Elspeth Bloodgood of Louisville and Sion Hart Weaver of Stafford, Virginia