Dr. Hannah R.

Torres
Curriculum vitae

Core Research Areas

Applied Geography, Participatory Research, Sustainability, Community Resilience

Education
2013–2017 Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Geography and Environmental Science & Policy
2010–2012 Master of Environmental Management, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Specialization in Coastal Environmental Management
2003–2007 Bachelor of Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.
Major: Education; Honors: Magna cum laude

Academic Appointments
2017-pres NSF Postdoctoral Researcher. University of Central Florida Department of
Sociology, Orlando, FL. (Grant support from CNH-L: Restoration and Resilience in
Coupled Human-Natural Systems: Reciprocal Dynamics of a Coastal Lagoon, NSF
Grant #1617374).
2018-pres Adjunct Faculty. University of Central Florida Department of Sociology, Orlando,
FL.
2018 NSF Key Personnel/Senior Faculty Mentor. University of Central Florida
Department of Sociology, Orlando, FL and Hopkins, Belize (Grant support from
NSF REU Site: Preparing the Next Generation of Scholars through Geographic
Information Systems and Citizen Science, NSF Grant #1560015).
2013–2017 Graduate Teaching Associate. University of South Florida School of Geosciences,
Tampa, FL.
2015-2017 Graduate Research Assistant. University of South Florida College of Marine
Science, St. Petersburg, FL (Grant support from Clean Community-Clean Coast:
Empowering Youth, Teachers and Volunteers to Prevent Marine Debris (4Cs), NOAA-
NOS-ORR-2014-2003929 and Belmont Forum-G8 Initiative Collaborative Research:
METROPOLE: An Integrated Framework to Analyze Local Decision Making and
Adaptive Capacity to Large-Scale Environmental Change, NSF Grant #1342969).
Other Research Experience
2011 Marine Outreach Intern.
Penobscot East Resource Center, Stonington, ME
2010–2011 Research Assistant.
Duke University Center for Tropical Conservation, Durham, NC

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 Courses Taught
* Denotes course assisted or co-taught
2019 SYA 3352: Spatial Sociology - Introductory GIS, University of Central Florida, spring
2018 SYA 6458: Advanced Topics in GIS and Society, University of Central Florida, fall
2017 EVR 2001*: Introduction to Environmental Science with Field Experience at Keys
Marine Lab, co-taught with Dr. Kamal Alsharif, summer
2017 EVR 4930: Ecosystems of Florida, University of South Florida, spring
2016 GEO 4284: Water Resources Management, University of South Florida, fall
2016 EVR 2001*: Introduction to Environmental Science with Field Experience at Keys
Marine Lab, co-taught with Dr. Kamal Alsharif, summer
2016 EVR 4027*: Wetland Environments, (TA for Dr. Kamal Alsharif), University of
South Florida, summer
2016 GEO 4421: Cultural Geography, University of South Florida, spring
2015 GEO 4284: Water Resources Management, University of South Florida, fall
2015 EVR 4027*: Wetland Environments, Online (TA for Dr. Kamal Alsharif), University
of South Florida, summer
2015 GEO 4421: Cultural Geography, University of South Florida, spring
2014 GEO 4284: Water Resources Management, University of South Florida, fall
2014 GEO 4421: Cultural Geography, University of South Florida, spring
2013 GEA 3194: Geography of Latin America, University of South Florida, fall
2013 GIS 4043C*: Geographic Information Systems (Taught lab as TA for Dr. Byunyung
Yang), University of South Florida, spring
2007–2010 Primary School Teacher - All Subjects, Imagine Charter School at Weston, FL

Peer-Reviewed Publications
2018 Torres, H., Alsharif, K., Tobin, G. (2018). Perspectives on Adaptive Capacity to
Climate Change in Hazardous Environments: Insights from Broward County, Florida.
Weather, Climate, and Society.
2018 Ouellette, K., Alsharif, K., Capece, J., Torres, H. (2018) The concept of water
storage on agriculture lands: exploring the notion in South Florida. Water Science:
The National Water Research Center Journal.
2017 Torres, H., Alsharif, K. (2017) What it Means to Become “More Resilient” in
Broward County, Florida: An Analysis of Local Resilience Definitions. Weather,
Climate and Society. 9(3), 405-419.
2017 Saylor, C., Alsharif, K., Torres, H. (2017). Integrating Traditional Ecological
Knowledge into Ecosystem Service Approaches in Peru. International Journal of
Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management, 13(1), 150-161. (*Editor’s
Choice Paper).
2016 Torres, H., Alsharif, K. (2016) Reflecting on Resilience in Broward County, Florida:
A Newspaper Content Analysis About Hurricane Wilma Recovery. International
Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 19:36-46.

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 2015 Torres, H. (2015) Invited Commentary: Incorporating Resilience into Adaptation
Planning. Florida Scientist, 78(2).
2015 Torres, H., Muller-Karger, F., Keys, D., Thornton, H., Luther, M., and Alsharif,
K. (2015) Whither the U.S. National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan? Marine
Policy, 53:198-212.

Manuscripts/Book Chapters Under Review

Torres, H., Reynolds, C.J., Lewis, A.L., Muller-Karger, F., Alsharif, K., Masten-
brook, K. Examining Youth Perceptions and Social Contexts of Litter to Improve
Marine Debris Environmental Education. (Under Review, Environmental Education
Research).
Torres, H., Weidemeyer, T. Natural Hazards, Resilience, and Sovereignty: The
Case of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Under Review for inclusion in the
book Emerging Voices in Natural Hazards by Elsevier).

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

2017 Torres, H. (2017) How Lessons from a Past Disaster Can Influence Resilience and
Climate Adaptation in Broward County, Florida: A Doctoral Dissertation Scholar
Commons. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6768/.
2012 Brouwer, S., Nystrom, J., Stern, T., Torres, H. (2012) A Progress Evaluation
of National Geographic’s Geotourism Program: A Master’s Project. DukeSpace.
http://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/handle/10161/5263.

Funded Research
2018 $5,000, Hawthorne, T.L. (PI), Torres, H. (Co-PI). Supplemental Funding for
GeoBus, a Mobile STEM Learning Experience, from IBM

Conference Activity
* Denotes undergraduate student presenter
2019 Torres, H. (presenter), Hawthorne, T., Rivera, F.I., Graham, L. April 3-7, 2019.
Local Knowledge, Sense of Place, and Coastal Restoration in the Indian River
Lagoon. To be presented at the Association of American Geographers Conference in
Washington, DC. (upcoming)
2018 Visaggi, C. (presenter), Hawthorne, T., Torres, H., Graham, L., Munisteri, C.,
Altizer, N., Brandt, K., Atchison, C., Jarrett, O. December 11, 2018. Building
Relationships, Leveraging Passion, and Identifying Career Goals: Supporting Student
Scholars through the Challenges of Interdisciplinary Community-Based Research in
Belize. Presented at the American Geophysical Union Conference in Washington,
D.C.
2018 Bencivenga, P.* (presenter), Hawthorne, T., Altizer, N., Torres, H., Haralson, J.*,
Farmer, L.*, Relyea, D.*, Campos, M.* November 6-8, 2018. Spatial Storytelling
with Drones and Interviews along the Mesoamerican Reef. Presented at the Esri
Oceans Conference in Redlands, CA.

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2018 Rutstein, A.* (presenter), Torres, H., Hawthorne, T., Visaggi, C., Darlington, R.*,
Furukawa, E.*, Huerta, S.*, Thompson, A.* November 6-8, 2018. Mapping Marine
Debris with Mixed-Methods in Belize. Presented at the Esri Oceans Conference in
Redlands, CA.
2018 Peluso, S.* (presenter), Brandt, K., Hawthorne, T., Torres, H., Green, R.*, Mahung,
G.*, Righteous-Rogers, J.A.*, Santiago-Rivera, K.* November 6-8, 2018. Participa-
tory GIS to Examine Flooding in a Coastal Village. Presented at the Esri Oceans
Conference in Redlands, CA.
2018 Hawthorne, T. (presenter), Torres, H., Rivera, F. November 6-8, 2018. Mapping
Sense of Place in Indian River Lagoon, Florida. To be presented at the Esri Oceans
Conference in Redlands, CA.
2018 Rivera, F. (presenter), Torres, H., Hawthorne, T. August 12, 2018. Sense of Place,
Place Attachment, Environmental Activism. Presented at the Society for the Study
of Social Problems in Philadelphia, PA.
2018 Graziano, M., Torres, H., Van De Gevel, S., McDaniel, P., Parekh, T., Mack,
E. April 12, 2018. Panel Presentation: The Academic Job Market for Geogra-
phers: Strategies for Improving Career Preparation. Presented at the Association for
American Geographers Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
2018 Torres, H. (presenter), Hawthorne, T., Rivera, F., Altizer, N. April 10, 2018. A
Method for Integrating Sense of Place into Coastal Restoration. Presented at the
Association for American Geographers Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
2018 Reynolds, C.J. (presenter), Muller-Karger, F., Torres, H., DePlasco, P., Frey, C.
March 13, 2018. Poster Presentation: Preventing Marine Debris with New Apps and
Maps: Better Data Defines High Priority Areas. Presented at the Sixth International
Marine Debris Conference in San Diego, CA.
2017 Reynolds, C.J., Metz, D., Torres, H. (co-presenters). September 7, 2017. Working
with Social Factors and Values to Support Adaptation Planning and Public Finance.
Presented at the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association Meeting in
Daytona Beach, FL.
2017 Torres, H. (presenter), Muller-Karger, F., Kartez, J., Pelling, M., Marengo, J.,
Reynolds, C.J., March 20, 2017. Poster Presentation: The Role of Societal Values
in Community Adaptation to Natural Hazard Risks: Highlights from an Interna-
tional Case Study. Presented at the University of South Florida Graduate Research
Symposium in Tampa, FL.
2016 Torres, H. November 21, 2016. What It Means To Become ‘More Resilient’:
An Analysis of Local Resilience-Building Approaches in Florida. Presented at the
Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers Conference in
Columbia, SC.
2015 Torres, H. November 23, 2015. Reflecting on Resilience in Broward County, Florida:
A Case Study from Hurricane Wilma. Presented at the Southeastern Division of the
Association of American Geographers Conference in Pensacola, FL.
2014 Torres, H. April 12, 2014. Institutional Gaps and Overlaps in the Gulf of Mexico
Large Marine Ecosystem. Presented at the Association of American Geographers
Conference in Tampa, FL.

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 Invited Talks and Workshops
2019 Torres, H., January 25-26, 2019. Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles to Commu-
nity/University Partnerships. To be presented at the first ever NSF Workshop on
Community Geography in Atlanta, GA. (upcoming)
2018 Torres, H. February 22, 2018. From “Recovery” to “Resilience”: Experiences from
a Post-Maria Puerto Rico. Presented at Florida International University’s Rising
Stars in Coastal Resilience Seminar Series in Miami, Florida.
2017 Reynolds, C.J., Torres, H. (co-presenters) May 18, 2017. Insights about Public
Finance and Adaptation for the METROPOLE Research Project. Presented at the
Broward County Climate Change Task Force Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
2017 Torres, H. May 5, 2017. Research for Change: Practical Approaches to Climate
Adaptation and Other Complex Issues. Presented at the University of Central Florida
in Orlando, FL.
2017 Torres, H. April 26, 2017. Resilience. Presented at the University of California
Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
2016 Torres, H. (presenter), Reynolds, C.J. May 17, 2016. Florida Marine Debris
Reduction Plan Meeting: Consumer Debris Working Group Updates. Presented at
the NOAA Statewide Marine Debris Reduction Plan Meeting in St. Petersburg, FL.
2016 Torres, H. May 12, 2016. Three Nations, One Gulf: Opportunities for Science Diplo-
macy in the Gulf of Mexico. Presented at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council in Tampa, FL.

Campus or Departmental Talks

2017 Torres, H. November 7, 2017. Integrating Sense of Place into Coastal Restoration.
Presented at the University of Central Florida’s Brown Bag Speaker Series in Orlando,
Florida.
2017 Torres, H. February 13, 2017. Defense of a Doctoral Dissertation: How Lessons
from a Past Disaster Can Influence Resilience and Climate Adaptation in Broward
County, Florida. Presented at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

Honors & Awards

2018 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Paper of Note - “Perspectives
on adaptive capacity to climate change in hazardous environments: insights from
Broward County, Florida”
2017 International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management,
Editor’s Choice Paper - “Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Ecosystem
Service Approaches in Peru”
2017 Advance Florida Network Women In STEM Travel Award
2017 Selected to receive USF Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship, $10,000
2016 Student Government Conference Presentation Grant, $500
2016 Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award in STEM field, $1,000
2014, 2015 Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award, Honorable Mention in STEM Field
Fall 2015 Tharp Travel Award Fellowship, $600

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Spring 2015 Tharp Research Fellowship, $2,000
2011 Sussman Environmental Internship Foundation Award,$5,018
2004 Ford Foundation Scholarship, $1,000
2003–2007 Florida Bright Futures full tuition Scholarship, $20,000+

Service to Profession
2018-pres Chair: Applied Geography Specialty Group, Association of American Geographers.
2017-pres Director-at-Large: International Society for Participatory Mapping
2016-pres Peer reviewer: Journal of Geography (1x) International Journal of Disaster Risk
Reduction (1x), Weather, Climate, and Society (3x), and Conservation Letters (1x)
2014 Local Activities Committee Member: AAG Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL
2012 Conference Volunteer: Sea Level Rise Summit. Boca Raton, FL
2011–2012 Treasurer: Society of Conservation Biology, Triangle Chapter
2010 Conference Volunteer: Our Changing Ocean. Washington DC

University Service & Community Involvement

2017-pres Organized and implemented interdisciplinary reading group to facilitate communi-
cation and collaboration across diverse NSF grant team: https://sciences.ucf.
edu/cnh-reading-group/
2018 Hosted web-based seminar with Dr. Gregory G. Brown of California Polytechnic
University entitled, “Participatory Mapping and Geographic Citizen Science”
2017 Facilitated Maps, Apps, and Drones outreach activities at Sanford Middle School,
Marine Discovery Center, UCF Faculty and Family Fun Day, and UCF GIS Day
events

Academic & Professional Affiliations

2017–pres International Society for Participatory Mapping (Director-at-Large)
2013–pres Association of American Geographers. Specialty Groups: Applied Geography (Chair),
Environmental Perception & Behavioral, Urban Geography
2015–2017 Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers
2016–2017 Toastmasters International
2015–2016 Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association
2015–2016 Florida Academy of Sciences
2013–2016 Graduate Student Applied Research Network at USF

Other Professional Experience

2012–2013 Campaign Professional.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Hollywood, FL
Raised over $1.4 million toward blood cancer research as part of the Light The Night Walk
campaign development team.

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2010–2011 Assistant Event Planner.
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, NC
Facilitated and coordinated events utilizing the Nasher Museum as a venue by communicating
with vendors, creating marketing materials, and providing other event support.
2004–2007 Waterfront Supervisor.
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Trained and oversaw the work of 10-12 employees while developing leadership and decision-
making skills. Earned national award from Red Cross for Outstanding Lifesaving.

Related Professional Training and Certifications

2018 Online Course Development Certification, University of Central Florida
2018 FAA Pilot Certificate for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems
2017 Certificates in Survey 123 for ArcGIS: Author a Survey on the Web, Creating and
Sharing GIS Content Using ArcGIS Online, and Creating Web Applications Using
Templates and Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS

Additional Skills & Interests

{ Proficient in reference management, qualitative and quantitative data collection,
qualitative data analysis, image manipulation, word processing (e.g. LATEX and
MS Office), and learning management systems (e.g Canvas and Blackboard)
{ Some experience with quantitative data analysis using R and Python
{ Working knowledge of Spanish language
{ Traveled widely through the United States, Europe and parts of Central America
{ Enjoys swimming, snorkeling, volleyball, rock-climbing, hiking