Cielo Sharkus

Cielo is a PhD candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She uses hydrodynamic modeling, spatial analysis, and risk assessment tools to study how the socioeconomic landscape impacts exposure and adaptation to climate hazards. The research she conducts concentrates on examining the past and potential impacts on watersheds in varying streamflow conditions. In addition, she conducts socio-environmental analyses to identify potential risks to food, water, and energy systems. Cielo aims to understand the hydraulic linkages between the socioeconomic and hazard landscape, with a goal of helping communities facing intersectional tensions in climate change. With a deep-rooted passion for environmental and climate justice, Cielo actively engages in community-oriented research.

Furthermore, Cielo has been actively involved in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She has served as a diversity, equity, and inclusion fellow at the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and currently holds the position of Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center. Additionally, she has worked as a National Science Foundation Research Trainee at the Energy Transition Institute of UMass Amherst. Beyond her research commitments, Cielo is a passionate leader in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where she serves as an advisor of the UMass undergraduate chapter and president and co-founder of the Western Massachusetts chapter. Presently, Cielo is supporting the United States Geological Survey in expanding efforts for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice. Through her multifaceted work, Cielo strives to make meaningful contributions to the field of environmental engineering while advocating for justice and equity in our society.