Isabel Umali Wins the Ning Moeller Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship

Major: Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources

Minor or certificate: Business and Technical Writing minor, Environmental Geomatics certificate

Award name: Ning Moeller Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship

Growing up, I watched a lot of nature documentaries on National Geographic and Animal Planet. I was easily entertained by explorers narrating their journey through some tropical forest while they showcased various species in their natural habitats. Their adventures sparked my deep curiosity about the natural world, which eventually led me to pursue a major in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources.

Through my coursework, I found opportunities to experience my own version of those documentaries—right here in New Jersey. In Evolution of Animal Behavior, I studied animal interactions that I remember watching on TV; in Plant Ecology, I went on field trips to learn about and identify local plant species. I also discovered a growing interest in mapping and spatial data analysis through Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics. Alongside my ecological studies, I decided to pursue the Environmental Geomatics certificate, as well as a minor in Business and Technical Writing. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I wanted to integrate this passion into ecology. With this minor, I’ve gotten a lot of practice with research writing, technical writing, and grant writing; I’ve come to learn how important clear communication is in science—it’s not just about collecting data but also about sharing it in ways that are meaningful, engaging, and accessible.

After graduating from Rutgers, I’ll be continuing my internship with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Ultimately, I hope to build a career that weaves together fieldwork, geomatics, and storytelling to protect natural resources and support sustainable land management.