Melannie Moreno Rolon

Pronouns: she/her

Bio
Melannie Moreno Rolón earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Puerto Rico, where her undergraduate research examined the effects of black carbon on cloud condensation nuclei. This work sparked her interest in atmospheric processes and the challenges of working with real-world datasets. She also interned at Portland State University’s Center for Climate and Aerosol Research, where she analyzed atmospheric river dynamics and secondary cyclone formation on the U.S. West Coast, reinforcing her belief in data’s role in improving extreme weather forecasting. Melannie is driven by firsthand experience with Hurricane María and recurring natural disasters in Puerto Rico, which revealed the urgent need for data-driven strategies to protect vulnerable communities. Her professional experience spans education, research, and consulting. At a nonprofit science center in Puerto Rico, she taught students and families about climate science and renewable energy. As an environmental specialist, she applied GIS to watershed analysis and project siting. Now pursuing her Master’s in Environmental Data Science at UCSB Bren, Melannie is focused on machine learning, geospatial analysis, and predictive modeling. She aspires to work with organizations like NOAA or USDA to develop data-driven strategies for equitable resource management and climate adaptation.