Genevieve Dabrowski, Program Assistant

What do you do here at DEB?

I’m a Program Assistant, which means I process travel paperwork, prepare for panels, and generally make sure staff and visitors are happy.

Tell us about yourself.

Being from a military family, I grew up all over the place, but my family is now settled in the D.C. area. I’m a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Panama, Sustainable Agriculture, 2014-2016) with an M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. When not at work I like reading, dancing, improv comedy, and being outdoors.

How did you find out about NSF?

I searched on USAJobs and the NSF brought me in for an interview. Given my science and environmental background, it seemed like a perfect fit. Thank you, NSF!

Which character from the Wizard of Oz do you most identify with?

Toto, because he was always there to assist Dorothy on her travels, which is what I do here!

Anything else?

When I came home from Peace Corps in Panama, I brought my two best friends with me. (Lucy the dog and Jordan the cat)

 

 

 

Megan Parks, Student Trainee, Administrative Support Assistant

What did you study in school?

I studied Environmental Biology at George Mason University, where I focused on sustainable development, ecology, restoration, habitat conservation, and environmental dynamics. I am very interested in topics involving Urban Ecology and Ecological Restoration.

What’s your title and job here at DEB?

I am a Student Trainee whose role is somewhat of a hybrid between Administrative Support Assistant and Program Assistant. Typically, I help visitors and callers, schedule conference rooms, maintain calendars, assist in pre-panel preparation, retire the records from closed awards, help with travel, create a variety of documents, and maintain office organization.

What do you like about working for DEB?

DEB brings in the most amazing food to share with colleagues. And everyone has been so kind and welcoming. I can’t wait to work with everyone and learn more about each of my coworkers!

Where would you like to travel to someday?

It has always been my dream to travel the world, but I think my first trip would be Norway. I have family in Norway that I would love to meet and there are tons of beautiful places I have seen (on Google Images) that I would like to hike.

Sandwiches or Tacos?

I would have to say that I am more of a taco person. Tacos have a perfect outside to inside content ratio and their filling possibilities seem to be limitless. Unfortunately, tacos do have one downfall — the amount of filling they can hold (but I think that’s where burritos come in). For anyone interested in the largest possible volume of a taco, here is a little taco math.

What do you enjoying doing in your spare time?

I enjoy a lot of things that end with –ing, such as hiking, camping, hanging (with family and friends), swimming, running and dancing (badly, I might add).