Resume

• 2012

  PhD

  Sociology

  University of Oregon

  Master's Degree

  Sociology

  University of Oregon

• 2007

  BA

  Sociology

  Mathematical Sciences

  Pi Mu Epsilon

  Alpha Kappa Delta

  Phi Kappa Phi

  University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• SPSS

  Illustrator

  Minitab

  Ethnography

  R

  Mathematics

  Statistics

  Stata

  Sustaining without Changing: The Metabolic Rift of Certified Organic Farming

  Julius Alexander McGee

  Sustainability 2016

  8(2)

  115; doi:10.3390/su8020115

  Many proponents of organic farming claim that it is a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture due to its reliance on natural agro-inputs

  such as manure based fertilizers and organic pesticides. However

  in this analysis we argue that although particular organic farming practices clearly benefit ecosystems and human consumers

  the social context in which some organic farms develop

  limit the potential environmental benefits of organic agriculture. Specifically

  we argue that certified organic farming’s increased reliance on agro-inputs

  such as organic fertilizers and pesticides

  reduces its ability to decrease global water pollution. We review recent research that demonstrates the environmental consequences of specific organic practices

  as well as literature showing that global organic farming is increasing its reliance on agro-inputs

  and contend that organic farming has its own metabolic rift with natural water systems similar to conventional agriculture. We use a fixed-effects panel regression model to explore how recent rises in certified organic farmland correlate to water pollution (measured as biochemical oxygen demand). Our findings indicate that increases in the proportion of organic farmland over time increases water pollution. We conclude that this may be a result of organic farms increasing their reliance on non-farm agro-inputs

  such as fertilizers.

  Sustaining without Changing: The Metabolic Rift of Certified Organic Farming

  The treadmill of destruction theory identifies the military as a major contributor to environmental problems. Water resources exploitation is one major problem that has been insufficiently studied by sociologists. Utilizing the treadmill of destruction framework here

  I aim to assess how the military influences water use in nations. The purpose of this article is twofold: first

  I utilize the treadmill of destruction theory to explain how the military interacts with water resources through combat and civilian operations. Second

  I empirically demonstrate militarization influences on freshwater withdrawals through a fixed-effect analysis of 126 countries between 1997 and 2011. Militarization is measured as the number of military personnel relative to the population and military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. My results show that as military personnel and spending increases

  there is a corresponding increase in freshwater withdrawals. My analysis suggests militarization is an important structural driver of environmental impacts including freshwater resources.

  Militarization and water: a cross-national analysis of militarism and freshwater withdrawals

  Camila

  Alvarez

  Expect Success: Summer Bridge Program

  University of Oregon

  Urban Sustainability Initiative

  UNLV Math Tutoring Clinic

  Pi Mu Epsilon

  National Mathematics Honor Society

  University of California

  Merced

  Labor and Education Research Center

  Alpha Kappa Delta

  International Sociology Honor Society

  John E Jaqua Academic Center For Student Athletes

  Honors College

  Academic Success Center at UNLV

  ▪ Prepared incoming freshmen that were placed in remedial math courses for the math placement\n▪ About 85% of the students who completed the program placed into college level math

  Math Tutor

  Expect Success: Summer Bridge Program

  University of Nevada

  Las Vegas

  I organized graduate school workshops

  Socio-Chats which are monthly discussions on sociological topics

  and participated in larger university events

  such as Take Back the Night rally.

  Vice-President

  Alpha Kappa Delta

  International Sociology Honor Society

  University of Oregon

  John E Jaqua Academic Center For Student Athletes

  Urban Sustainability Initiative

  University of Nevada

  Las Vegas

  ▪ Assisted in combining sustainability efforts in facilities

  research

  and civic\nengagement on campus into an umbrella organization of UNLV Sustainability.\n▪ Conducted the UNLV Student Sustainability Literacy Survey\n▪ Conducted the UNLV Faculty Sustainability Courses and Research Survey\n▪ Worked on displays based on past research to raise awareness about students'\ntransportation and energy consumption.

  Solar and Renewable Energy Research Assistant

  University of Nevada

  Las Vegas

  ▪ Teaching students from Elementary Algebra to Calculus II.

  Math Tutor

  UNLV Math Tutoring Clinic

  University of Nevada

  Las Vegas

  My Honors College thesis studied the correlation between New Urbanist design characteristics and neighborhood community in Las Vegas neighborhoods. I used a mixed-methods survey and ethnographic fieldwork to capture and compare neighborhood design to residents' attitudes and experiences. I successfully defended my thesis in April 2011.

  UNLV Honors College Student

  Honors College

  University of Oregon

  SOC 204 - Introduction to Sociology\nSOC 207 - Social Inequality\nSOC 311 - Research Methods\nSOC 312 - Social Statistics

  Graduate Teaching Fellow

  University of Nevada

  Las Vegas

  I helped start a math textbook library and allocated a study room for undergraduate math students. I also helped organized Pi and Integral Day to present mathematics as a less daunting subject for students on campus.

  President

  Pi Mu Epsilon

  National Mathematics Honor Society

  University of Oregon

  At LERC I assist with gathering and analyzing data from financial and employment databases. I also help with public education events.

  GTF

  Labor and Education Research Center

  University of California

  Merced

  Scholarship for Urban Political Ecology Seminar

  Koç University

  Outstanding Undergraduate Paper of the Year

  UNLV Sociology Department

  NSHE Millennium Scholarship

  Nevada System of Higher Education

  16th Annual Posters on the Hill

  Based on my mixed methods honors thesis research which extends insights from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey

  I was selected by the Council of Undergraduate Research to present my findings on Capitol Hill

  in Washington

  D.C. From 850 proposals

  mine was one of 74 selected for inclusion.

  Council of Undergraduate Research

  Clifford C. Clogg Scholarship

  ICPSR Summer Program

  UNLV CSUN Pre-Professional Scholarship

  UNLV CSUN

  ASA Honors Program Participant

  The ASA Honors Program showed me the professional side of sociology during the 2011 ASA Annual Meeting. I attended presentations

  roundtables

  receptions

  and exclusive workshops. I also met past ASA presidents

  my favorite sociologists

  and presented a paper at the Honors Roundtable.

  American Sociological Association

  National Education of Women (NEW) Leadership Nevada

  NEW Leadership Nevada is an award winning program by the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada. The program educates and encourages Nevada college students on leadership and policy. I was awarded a $1000 scholarship to attend the program.

  Women's Research Institute of Nevada

  Distinguished Undergraduate Paper

  Pacific Sociological Association

  Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year

  UNLV Sociology Department