Jessica Block
About Jessica Block
Jessica Block serves as the Associate Director at Wifire Lab, where she directs research on environmental hazards and develops tools for firefighters. She has a background in geology and has held positions at various institutions, including the US Geological Survey and the University of Melbourne.
Work at San Diego Supercomputer Center
Jessica Block serves as the Associate Director at the WIFIRE Lab within the San Diego Supercomputer Center. She has held this position since 2020. In her role, she directs research focused on environmental hazards, specifically developing practical tools to assist firefighters. Her work involves utilizing emerging technologies to analyze the interactions between physical environmental processes and human activities.
Education and Expertise
Jessica Block holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles, which she completed from 1998 to 2001. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science degree in Geology, Visualization Technology, and Water Resources from Arizona State University, studying from 2003 to 2007. Her academic background supports her expertise in environmental hazards and disaster mitigation.
Background
Jessica Block has a diverse professional background in geology and environmental science. She worked as a Geologist and GIS Specialist at the US Geological Survey from 2001 to 2003. Following this, she served as a Research Associate at the University of Melbourne for one year in 2009 to 2010. Additionally, she worked at the SDSU Research Foundation as a Research Associate from 2008 to 2010, contributing to various research projects.
Research Focus
Jessica Block's research primarily addresses environmental hazards and the role of humans as both victims and contributors to these issues. She investigates the intersection of environmental and health disparities, particularly in the context of disaster mitigation. Her work aims to enhance understanding and develop strategies to address these critical challenges.