Introduction
Dr. Holly Porter-Morgan is an environmental and geospatial scientist. She has served as the Chairperson of the Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences Department since August 2024. For the past 10 years, Dr. Porter-Morgan has conducted research in the areas of urban ecology, community-based strategies for climate resilience, and water resource management. She has developed partnerships with community-based organizations and collaborated with these groups on multiple grants to support experiential learning, non-formal environmental education, and community engagement. She serves as a steering committee member for the Stormwater Infrastructure Coalition, a coalition of over 70 NYC organizations that represent an advocacy platform to advance sustainable stormwater and green infrastructure policy and planning. In addition, Dr. Porter-Morgan is an invited member of the Science and Technical Committee of the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program. She is currently partnering with Riverkeeper to quantify nutrient pollution in the Hudson River.
Education
The Graduate Center, CUNY, NY, NY., Biology, Ph.D., 2007.
The New York University, NY, NY. M.A., 1996.
The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, B.S, 1991.
Appointments
2024-present: Professor and Chair, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences, Lehman College, CUNY, Bronx, NY
2018- 2024: Professor, Director of the Environmental Science Program, Department of Natural Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Queens, NY
2019: Chair, Department of Natural Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Queens, NY
2014- 2018: Associate Professor, Director of the Environmental Science Program, Department of Natural Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Queens, NY
2011- 2013: Assistant Professor, Director of the Environmental Science Program, Department of Natural Sciences, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, Queens, NY
2008- 2011: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The New York Botanical Garden, GIS Laboratory, Bronx, NY
2006- 2008: Senior College Laboratory Technician, GIS & Environmental Science, Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY, Bronx, NY
Gertner, D., Brashears, A., Xu, N., & Porter-Morgan, H. (2024). Increased Pre-Lecture Reading and Greater Attendance at a Community College Gateway Science Course. Journal of College Science Teaching, 53(6), 554–562.
Jacob, J., Veras, I., Calderon, O., Porter-Morgan, H. A., Tan, J., Aguilar, H. E., and Yousri, W. K. Possibly pathogenic bacteria in aerosols and foams as a result of aeration remediation in a polluted urban waterway. Folia Microbiologica, 2023, pp. 1-12. doi:10.1007/s12223-023-01096-2
Gertner, D., Xu, N., Porter-Morgan, H., and literacy through an e-portfolio project at a community college gateway science course. Journal of Biological Education, 2021. 1-16.
Keller, C., Hendrix, T., Xu, N., Porter-Morgan, H. Brashears, A. A Foundation for STEM Success: A Simple and Successful Microscope Intervention in a General Biology Course at an Urban Community College. Journal of College Science Teaching, v. 48, no. 1, 2018, pp. 10-18.
Calderon, O., Porter-Morgan, H. Jacob, J., and Elkins, T. Surveying impacts on bacterial diversity as a result of combined sewer overflow in a polluted waterway. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management, v. 3, no. 4. 2017, pp. 437-446.
Polnariev, B., Jaafar, R., Hendrix, T., Porter-Morgan, H., Khethavath, P., and Belkharraz, A. Nourishing STEM Student Success via a TEAM-Based Advisement Model. International Journal of Higher Education, v. 6, no. 6, 2017, pp.31-43.
Xu, N., Porter-Morgan, H., Doran, N., and Keller, C. Water Pollution and Leukemia: A Model for Interdisciplinary Research in the Classroom Experiences: Incorporating Effective Pedagogical Approaches for Community College General Biology I Lab Students. International Journal of Higher Education, vol. 5, no. 4, 2016, pp.122-33.
Ludman, A., Porter-Morgan, H., and Trujillo, M, 2016. Easing Transitions (In and Out) for Geoscience Undergraduates. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 48, no.7, 2016.
Miller, J.S., Krupnick, G.A., Stevens, H., Porter-Morgan, H.A., et. al. Toward Target 2 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation: An Expert Analysis of the Puerto Rican Flora to Validate New Streamlined Methods for Assessing Conservation Status. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, vol. 99, no. 2, 2013, pp. 199-205.
Miller, J.S., Porter-Morgan, H.A., Stevens, et al. Addressing target two of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation by rapidly identifying plants at risk. Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 7, 2012, pp. 1877-1887.
Ferrier, J., Djeffal, S., Porter-Morgan, H.A., Vander Kloet, S.P., et. al. Antiglycation activity of Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae) from the Sam Vander Kloet collection for the treatment of type II diabetes. Botany, vol. 90, 2012, pp. 401 406.
Freshman Year to Geoscience Career NSF GeoPaths, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (NSF IUSE): Pathways into Geoscience Award, National Science Foundation, Co-PI, $371,056, 2016-2019.
Newtown Creek SAMPLES II: Studying Aquatic Metrics for Public Learning and Ecological Services Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund Award, Co-PI, $28,000, 2018-2019.
Assessing Impacts of Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades at Newtown Creek, a Superfund Site II, PSC-CUNY Trad. B Award, The City University of New York, NY, PI, $6,000, 2018-2019.
Preparing to Launch: Incorporating High Impact Technology in a Gateway Science Course, ASAP STEM Faculty Development Grant, Accelerated Study in Associate Programs, The City University of New York, NY, Co-PI, $37,240, 2017-2018.
Assessing the Impact of Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades at Newtown Creek, a Superfund Site, PSC-CUNY Trad. B Award, The City University of New York, NY, PI, $6,000, 2017-2018.
Newtown Creek SAMPLES I: Studying Aquatic Metrics for Public Learning and Ecological Services Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund Award, Co-PI, $38,000, 2017-2018.
Expanding Community-Based Experiential Learning for STEM Majors at LaGuardia Community College, Experiential Learning Opportunity Grant, CUNY OAA, The City University of New York, NY, PI, $5,000, 2017.
Local Pollution as a Gateway to Global Consciousness, Global Learning Mini-Grant, LaGuardia Community College, The City University of New York, NY, Co-PI, $7,500, 2017-2018.
- ENV235/GEH235 Conservation of the Environment. The impact of human activities on natural resources and environmental quality. Topics will include soil, forests, water, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and energy resources.
- GEP302/GEP602 Applications of GISc in Biogeography. Biogeography is the study of past and current distribution of organisms, in the context of geophysical, evolutionary, and ecological processes. This course focuses on how Geographic Information Science (GISc) is applied to analyze biogeographic data and answer biogeographic questions. We will use a variety of geospatial techniques and databases to examine patterns of distribution. Students will examine biogeographic trends; download and clean primary data, conduct data exploration and data visualization of complex geographic information, apply GIS to answer biogeographic questions, and address problems in conservation biogeography.
- GEP360/GEP660 Geovisualization and Analytic Cartography. This course focuses on the principles of cartographic design and presentation. Students will work towards an advanced literacy in visual communication by studying the fundamental elements of color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and layout. Maps will be studied critically in terms of their production, interpretation, and relationship to space and place.
Holly Porter-Morgan, Professor and Department Chair
Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences (EEGS)
Lehman College, The City University of New York
Gillet Hall 315A, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: 718-960-4967
E-mail: HOLLY.PORTER1@lehman.cuny.edu
