CJ, the EJ Guy

LinkedIn | cjknoble@gmail.com | Google Scholar | Medium

Interested in virtually attending my PhD Dissertation Defense on Friday, April 4 at 2 pm? Register here!

Could we detect the next Flint Water Crisis using Google Search and social media data? Can socially sensed big data actually amplify community voices? What role do Data Justice and Critical GIS play in disaster resilience?

About Me

As a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Science and Management, my research harnesses geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and big data analytics to answer complex questions like these. I aim to tackle wicked problems in environmental and social contexts, with a critical focus on their impacts on environmental justice and social equity.

My research employing novel big data investigations and system-level simulations has been featured in high-impact journals like Remote Sensing and Sustainable Development. In my role as an Adjunct Professor and award-winning Teaching Assistant, I also develop and teach GIS and remote sensing courses, equipping students with the tools to address real-world issues.

With over 800 hours of GIS and data science consultancy experience, I’ve contributed to port emissions inventory reports, federal grant proposals, and social equity impact assessments, helping diverse clients measure and improve their social and environmental impacts. I’ve further shown leadership in sustainability as a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Coordinator and through volunteer work with the American and Italian Red Cross.

Technical Skills: ArcGIS Pro [Advanced], R [Advanced], Python [Advanced], Machine Learning [Advanced], QGIS [Advanced], Stella Architect [Advanced], SQL [Intermediate], Salesforce [Intermediate]
Research Interests: Environmental Justice (EJ), Simultative Modeling, Data Justice, Big Data, Environmental Policy, Urban Sustainability, Systems Thinking, Critical GIS
Certifications: Remote Pilot of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems [FAA Part 107], GIS Specialization [UC Davis: Coursera], Certificate of Competency in SQL [LearnSQL.com]

Education

Ph.D., Environmental Science and Management (Spring 2025)
Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
B.A., International Relations (Fall 2019)
Minors, Political Science, Italian, and International Studies
California State University, Chico, CA
Visiting Semester (Spring 2019)
Political Science Sacramento Semester Program
California State University, Sacramento, CA
Study Abroad (Spring 2018)
Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Publications

Knoble, C., Fabolude, G., Vu, A., Yu, D. (2024). From crisis to prevention: mining big data for public health insights during the Flint Water Crisis. Discover Sustainability, 5, 289, https://doi:10.1007/s43621-024-00514-w
Chien, S. -C., & Knoble, C. (2024). Uneven Burdens: The Intersection of Brownfields, Pollution, and Socioeconomic Disparities in New Jersey, USA. Sustainability, 16(23), 10535. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310535
Fabolude, G., Knoble, C., Vu, A., Yu, D. (2024). Comprehensive lead exposure vulnerability for New Jersey: Insights from a Multi-Criteria risk assessment and community impact analysis framework. Ecological Indicators, 167, 112585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112585
Chien, S.-C., & Knoble, C. (2024). Research of Education for Sustainable Development: Understanding New Emerging Trends and Issues after SDG 4. Journal of Sustainability Research, 6(1), e240006, Article e240006. https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr20240006
Chien, S.-C., Knoble, C., Krumins, J. (2024). Human population density and blue carbon stocks in mangrove soils. Environmental Research Letters, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad13b6
Fabolude, G., Knoble, C., Vu, A., & Yu, D. (2024). Smart cities, smart systems: A comprehensive review of system dynamics model applications in urban studies in the big data era. Geography and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2024.10.002
Knoble, C. & Yu, D. (2023). Bridging the Gap: Analyzing the Relationship between Environmental Justice Awareness on Twitter and Socio-Environmental Factors Using Remote Sensing and Big Data. Remote Sensing, 15(23), 5510. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15235510
Knoble, C. & Yu, D. (2023). Environmental justice: An evolving concept in a dynamic era. Sustainable Development, 31(4), 2091-2108. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2519

Manuscripts Under Review

Knoble, C., Fabolude, G., Vu, A., Yu, D. (n.d.). Data Justice and Fast-Food Mobile Apps: Analyzing Targeted Marketing and Health Implications in Marginalized Communities. Social Science and Medicine.
Knoble, C., Fabolude, G., Vu, A., Yu, D. (n.d.). Don’t Let Lead Lead on Environmental Justice: Developing a Dynamic System Level Injustice Detection Tool in Newark NJ. Science of the Total Environment.
Fabolude G., Knoble, C., Vu A., Yu D. (n.d.). Beyond Mining: A Comprehensive Approach to Assessing Lead Exposure Risks in Nigeria. Environmental Impact Assessment Review.
Yu, D., Knoble, C., Fabolude G., Vu. A. (n.d.). Understanding Lead Exposure Through Data and Domain Expertise: Insights from New Jersey with a Geographically Weighted Regression Analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
Fabolude, G., Knoble, C., Vu, A., Yu, D. (n.d.). The Battle Against Lead Exposure: Unveiling Urban Lead Exposure Dynamics Through System Modeling. Environmental Health Perspectives.
Vu, A., Knoble, C., Fabolude, G., Yu, D (n.d.). Micromobility in New York City: Historical Development, Current Trends, and Future Directions for Sustainable Urban Transportation. Transport Policy.
Cade, R., Yu, D., Knoble, C., Whyte, K., Lal, P., Borgerson, C. (n.d.). Environmental Justice in Indigenous Communities: The Disproportionate Effects of Environmental Contamination. Sustainable Futures.

Leadership Experience

GIS Analyst, Starcrest LLC [400+ Hours] (July 2022 - Present)

Reduced analysis time by 50% and cut project costs by streamlining geospatial workflows through automation using Python and ESRI ModelBuilder
Improved emissions inventory resolution by over 10x, applying fishnet spatial aggregation techniques to enable precise environmental assessments
Authored seven emissions inventory reports, detailing methodologies, results, and actionable recommendations for sustainability planning

GIS & Data Science Consultant, Independent Contractor [400+ Hours] (July 2022 - Present)

Evaluated social equity and environmental impacts of proposed projects by conducting advanced geospatial analyses using R and ArcGIS Pro, aligning with Justice40 regulations
Developed high-quality deliverables including interactive dashboards, maps, and tutorials to effectively communicate actionable sustainability insights to stakeholders
Contributed to proposals securing over $35 million in federal funding through impact assessments, engaging visualizations, and detailed reporting to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks

PhD Candidate & Research Assistant; Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science, Montclair State University (August 2021 - Present)

Published 8 peer-reviewed studies, including three as first author, advancing research in environmental justice, sustainability, and public health
Designed R scripts to automate analysis of temporal covariation patterns across datasets, improving research accuracy and scalability
Led doctoral researchers in developing simulative models, establishing best practices for data collection and analysis in compliance with federal grant requirements

Adjunct Professor & Graduate Assistant; Dept. of Earth and Environmental Science, Montclair State University (August 2021 - Present) Adjunct Professor: Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing (EAES 210/506) Graduate Assistant: Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing (EAES 210/506), Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (EAES 310/510), Planet Earth (EAES 101), Research Methods in Sustainability Science (EAES 390)

Increased GIS program engagement by 200%, organizing professional panel sessions, company tabling events, and software open-houses
Facilitated lab activities for courses in Statistical Research Methods, Introductory and Advanced GIS, and Planet Earth, fostering practical application of geographic principles and statistical analysis tools
Developed novel curricula and lab exercises for an Introductory GIS course, incorporating tools such as R, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and Google Earth Pro
Awarded “Outstanding Teaching Assistant” in the first year and promoted to adjunct professor position

Project Manager & Clean Cities Coordinator; Center for Sustainable Energy (April 2020 - August 2021)

For US Department of Energy’s regional Federal Clean Cities Coalition, developed annual project management plan, facilitated charter renewal, and submitted quarterly sustainability reports to federal program managers
Strengthened partnerships with 60+ government entities and NGOs, providing resources, training, and newsletters to advance sustainability goals
Organized and implemented outreach strategies by hosting webinars with industry leaders, managing email campaigns, and conducting one-on-one consultations, advancing fleet electrification efforts
Led a team of 12 in evaluating outreach effectiveness, developing strategies to improve stakeholder engagement

Research Intern; California Department of Conservation (January 2019 - May 2019)

Synthesized U.S. land conservation trends into actionable insights, informing the Chief Scientist’s long-term program goals through academic and policy research
Presented policy recommendations and summaries of California’s conservation initiatives to executive stakeholders at quarterly science briefings
Coordinated community science outreach in neighborhoods affected by oil wells, collaborating with the Director of Outreach and Engagement to equip community members to report health concerns
Assisted in processing and vetting development grant proposals’ environmental impact as defined by CEQA regulations

Additional Teaching and Research Experience

Student Teacher, Model United Nations; California State University, Chico (August 2016 - April 2019)

Leadership in Model United Nations (EAES 340A/B)
Developed lesson plans, assignments, exams, and lecture slides each semester
Independent of course professor, lectured 30+ person class on debate rhetoric and research methods once a week
Assessed and guided students on research methods, policy brief writing techniques, and public speaking in a debate environment

California’s Sea Level Rise Policies Internship, California Department of Conservation (January 2019 – May 2019)

Assisted Chief Science Advisor by collecting and analyzing emerging academic research and policy initiatives addressing sea level rise in the United States
Synthesized trends and findings in recent research and presented to internal and external stakeholders at quarterly science briefing

International Policy Papers, Model United Nations, California State University, Chico (August 2016 – April 2019)

Analyzed various UN member states’ policies to infer their response to international crises and submitted written policy briefs to international conferences, winning 3 awards for writing excellence
Led 20+ undergraduate students in researching and writing policy briefs to international conferences, winning 15 awards for writing excellence

“Foreign Aid – Bridges and Barriers” Capstone Paper, California State University, Chico (August 2018 – December 2018)

Conducted case studies on the American Red Cross and USAID response to 2010 Haitian earthquake
Reviewed literature assessing the overall effectiveness of international humanitarian aid
Analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data published by aid organizations and academic journals, identifying significant gaps in intended and manifested recovery efforts

“Assessing Impacts at the Alcohol Drug and Education Center” Research Methods, California State University, Chico (December 2016)

Developed in-depth literature review on ethnographic research techniques, particularly in community outreach settings
Collected ethnographic field data through small group sessions and semi-structured interviews

Awards

Outstanding Teaching Assistant, Academic Year 2021-2022 (May 2022)
Montclair State University

Graduation with Highest Distinction in the Major (May 2019)
California State University, Chico

Dean’s List, Academic Years 2015-2019 (August 2015 – May 2019)
California State University, Chico

Policy Position Paper Award, National Model United Nations Conference (April 2017, April 2019)
New York, NY

Outstanding Delegate Award, National Model United Nations Conference (October 2018)
Washington D.C.

Policy Position Paper Award, National Model United Nations Conference (October 2017, October 2018)
Washington D.C.

“Rookie” of the Year Award, University Housing (May 2017)
California State University, Chico

Community Development Award, University Housing (May 2017)
California State University, Chico

Outstanding Delegate Award, Northwestern Model United Nations Conference (November 2016)
Seattle, WA

Policy Position Paper Award, Northwestern Model United Nations Conference (November 2016)
Seattle, WA

For more information, please visit my LinkedIn and ORCID profiles, or download my Professional Resume and Academic CV.