User:Erinsalomon/Dr. Natasha A. Greene

Dr. Natasha A. Greene has a B.S in Physics from Gramble State University (1997), M.S in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University (2000), and. Ph.D in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University (2006). Her field of work is in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as an engineer, scientist, assessor, and researcher. Two of her works include, "Use of the Electrostatic Classification Method to size SRM Particles (0.1 micron particles) in the Presence of a Hurricane” and "Examination of Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals and Their Effects in At-Risk Wards in Washington, DC.” Both pieces have been found cited in a combined 90 other subsequent publications.

Early Life
Dr. Greene is a California native though has resided in Chicago, IL, and Colfax, CA and currently occupies Texas. She predominantly was raised in Fresno, CA with her mother (Brendel Jackson), stepfather (Robert Jackson), and her three siblings: her biological sister Brenekie and two step siblings Samone and Rodney. Before her mother remarried, she lived in Louisiana with her mother and father James Greene Jr.

Education and Career
Greene went to elementary school in Fresno, CA at Aynesworth Elementary School. She was granted the opportunity to skip two grades at the age of 9; however, her mother declined and as a result, this propelled her relationship with her 5th grade teacher Dr. Luz Gonzalez as she took on the role of class helper and tutor for her peers.

Following elementary school, she attended Computech Middle School in the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. In high school at Edison High School, she took on Scholastics AP (Advanced Program) and college-level courses in Math, Science, and English. Natasha was involved in extracurriculars such as debate, forensic science, basketball, and track and field. On her debate and forensics team, she guided her team to first place in the National Forensics competition in Los Angeles, CA two years in a row.

She played at a varsity level for both basketball and track and field. She also participate in the Junior Olympics to compete against the well known Marion Jones. After helping the basketball team win its first section Division 3 championship, she was named Tigers' most inspirational player. She was honored for her athletic, scholastic, and community achievements the Fresno local newspaper. She was also voted girl athlete of the year her senior year of high school. She was awarded the Key to the City under Mayor Karen Humphrey, the first elected woman mayor of Fresno, and made April 28th Natasha A. Greene day.

Greene graduated high school with high honors. She attended Grambling State University in Grambling, LA keeping the family legacy of attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). At Grambling State University, she majored in Physics on scholarship, and was student assistant to Dr. Thomas Odom, Dean of Physics.

During her college years, she attended two summer internships at University of Central Florida at the Center of Electro Optics and Lasers. Here she developed thermal windows for supersonic aircraft jets. Additionally, she attend Stanford University and worked in a lab analyzing the Ozone's (O3) sensitivity in the stratosphere.

After graduating Grambling State University in May 18, 1997 as Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, she continued her educational endeavors at Howard University (HU) in Washington, DC. Here, she pursued Masters in Science degree with a major in Physics. Howard University was implementing a new program as a quasiPhysics degree referred to as HU Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS). Natasha was a pioneer as one of the first members of the graduating class from this program which provided the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in Atmospheric Sciences with an emphasis on Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry.

Achievements and Published Works
Dr. Greene's achievements include the following:


 * Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (G.A.A.N.N) Fellowship (1998–2001)
 * Society of Physics Students (SPS) Scholar (1996–1997)
 * S.R.I. International Summer Intern (1996)
 * University of Central Florida / Center of Research for Electro-Optics and Lasers (CREOL) Summer Intern (1995)
 * Who’s Who Among American College Students (3X)
 * National Dean’s List (2X)
 * Sigma Pi Sigma (SPS) National Honors Society
 * Golden Key National Honors Society
 * Alpha Kappa Mu National Honors Society

At Howard University, Greene worked on a thesis project entitled "Use of the Electrostatic Classification Method to size SRM Particles (0.1 micron particles) in the Presence of a Hurricane.” Her work here was completed in the presence of a major hurricane, Hurricane Erika of 1997 (Category III). Her research was funded by NASA grants and went on to be cited in 50 subsequent publications on this topic. From this, Greene was able to work at the NASA Greenbelt facility of Greenbelt, MD.

Dr. Greene's dissertation, "Examination of Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals and Their Effects in At-Risk Wards in Washington, DC” was centered around environmental health exposure assessment for particulate matter and heavy metals (i.e. chromium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and nickel) in four observed and poor sectors of Washington, DC. The findings from her research concluded a link between anthropogenic sources and pediatric asthma risks. Again, her work was cited in 60 articles and has been a topic of discussion worldwide at Public Health Risk conferences.