Chris Traft
About Chris Traft
Chris Traft is an Environmental Technologist at Sandia National Laboratories with a background in hydrology and environmental science.
Company
Chris Traft is currently employed at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. He works as an Environmental Technologist, a role he has held since 2020. The institution is known for its extensive research and development in national security, energy, and environmental sciences.
Title
Chris Traft holds the title of Environmental Technologist. His job includes the management and analysis of environmental data, maintenance of meteorological stations, and monitoring environmental parameters critical for emergency weather alerts and fire danger rating.
Education and Expertise
Chris Traft earned a Master's degree in Hydrology and Water Resources Science from The University of New Mexico. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Clark University, completed in 2010. Traft's educational background is complemented by his comprehensive experience in field botany and his interest in the interactions between hydrology, climate change, and ecosystem ecology.
Background
Chris Traft's professional journey includes a variety of roles. He worked as a Hydrologic Technician at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in different locations including Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Northborough, MA, from 2014 to 2020. He has also been a Biological Science Technician with both the National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. His early career featured internships focused on invasive plant management and fire effect monitoring.
Meteorological Station Management
Chris Traft has significant experience in maintaining meteorological stations that track environmental parameters such as solar radiation and fuel moisture. He manages a network of weather stations at Kirtland Air Force Base to provide emergency weather alerts and fire danger ratings. This role involves detailed monitoring and data collection critical for both environmental and operational safety.