Melissa Harris
About Melissa Harris
Melissa Harris is a Physical Scientist at the US Geological Survey, specializing in water-use data initiatives and regional water-use analysis in the Southeast. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Belmont University and a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Melissa Harris has been employed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a Physical Scientist since 2008. In her role, she serves as the Regional Water-Use Specialist for the Southeast, where she focuses on compiling and disseminating water-use data. Harris is a member of the USGS National Water Use Leadership Team, contributing to national initiatives aimed at improving water-use data collection and analysis. Her work includes developing models to estimate water withdrawal and consumptive use at thermoelectric power plants across the United States.
Education and Expertise
Melissa Harris holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology from Belmont University, where she studied from 1990 to 1993. She later pursued a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Environmental Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, completing her studies from 2005 to 2010. Her educational background provides her with a strong foundation in both psychological principles and environmental science, which informs her work in water-use data and analysis.
Background
Prior to her current role at the USGS, Melissa Harris worked as an Account Executive at Mid-West Family Broadcasting from 2004 to 2005 in the Springfield, Illinois Area. This experience in a different industry contributed to her diverse skill set before transitioning to her career in environmental science and water resource management.
Achievements
Melissa Harris is involved in significant projects at the USGS, including the National Water-Use Science Project. She specializes in data compilation across various water-use categories, such as public supply, irrigation, and industry. Her contributions include working on projects that establish consistent methods for estimating water withdrawals across different thermoelectric plant technologies, enhancing the accuracy of water-use data in the U.S.