Casey Thornbrugh
is the Program Manager and Tribal Climate Science Liaison to the Northeast and Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NE/SE CASCs). Casey is a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Casey works with Tribal Nations to identify climate research needs and priorities as well as provide climate adaptation planning technical support. You can reach Casey at cthornbrugh@usetinc.org.
Steph Courtney
is the Assistant Climate Science Liaison. Dr. Courtney serves as a technical expert on climate change issues, resource vulnerability, and climate adaptation actions to Tribal Nations in the USET region, and more broadly in the combined region comprising the Department of Interior’s SECASC and NECASC. She is responsible for developing and implementing a communication, education, and outreach program; identifying climate research needs and priorities; and providing climate adaptation planning support to Tribal Nations. You can reach Steph at scourtney@usetinc.org.
Tyler Everett
is the Forest Adaptation Technical Assistant. Tyler is a citizen of the Mi'kmaq Nation and is a forester specializing in forest pests, namely the emerald ash borer (EAB), which is a current threat to cultural resources on Tribal lands in northern forests. His work with USET focuses on the impacts of climate change to forests. You can reach Tyler at teverett@usetinc.org.
Ha Nguyen Xuan
is the Climate Graduate Intern. Ha received her masters degree in Geography and Environmental Planning in 2020 and is currently finishing her second masters degree in Computer Science. During her time as a student, she has done research on climate change and environmental risks. After graduation, Ha’s goal is to continue contributing to the research field as it has been her passion. You can reach Ha at hxuan@usetinc.org.
Lea Zeise
is the OERM Assistant Director. Climate change has already impacted our food systems by extending the growing degree days, increasing or decreasing rainfall, causing unpredictable spring weather, and shifting the regions of pests and invasive species. This has led to the start of collaborative projects between the USET Climate Program and the Agriculture Program to address these issues with adaptation and mitigation. If you want to connect with us about climate impacts to your landscapes, food system, or farm, please feel free to reach out to Lea at lzeise@usetinc.org.
Rebecca Naragon
is USET’s Economic Development Director. Community and business recovery activities allow for many opportunities for collaboration between Climate Change and Economic Development programs. In this spirit, USET OERM and the Climate Change program has been working with USET’s Office of Economic Development over the past few years on facilitating training workshops and camps, resource and network brokering, and supply chain technical assistance. Rebecca Naragon, CEcD, is a citizen of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and can be reached at rnaragon@usetinc.org.