PROFILE

AVA BLANCHETTE

Welcome!

I am a geospatial data scientist focused on the intersections of environmental and human systems. My work spans disaster mitigation, fire ecology, forest management, and urban planning, and I employ modelling and data science methods to turn spatial evidence into policy-ready insight. I am excited by the power of visual communication, and find that clear maps and graphics are as essential as the findings themselves. 

Since 2020, I’ve worked across nonprofit and private sectors. At Grades of Green I supported grant strategy through data collection and analysis and led workshops for corporate partners on environmental science and justice. At memBrain I managed client programmes at the intersection of entertainment, technology and design. While at UCLA, I led my practicum team’s data analysis and visualisation for LA Waterkeeper’s community-based park development initiative. While data is my foundation, I see communication as the natural partner to analysis. Both are necessary to make data meaningful. 

I hold an MSc in Geographic Data Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2025) and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (2022). 










CV
Education
London School of Economics and Political Science 
MSc in Geographic Data Science, 2025

Dissertation: “Wildfire Predictive Modelling in the Wildland-Urban Interface with Random Forest Analysis: Evaluating the Role of Social and evironmental Factors in the Santa Monica Mountains”

University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. in Environmental Science, 2022

Thesis: “Equitable Community Park Planning along the Los Angeles River Based on Environmental, Socioeconomic, and Health Metrics” 
Selected Professional Experience memBrain LLC, Los Angeles
Account Manager
2022 - 2023

Developed and executed marketing programs for a portfolio of ten clients, driving brand visibility and growth through strategic partnerships in technology, entertainment, and design. Collaborated directly with company founders to conduct industry and market research, transforming insights into client-facing presentations and actionable strategies.

memBrain LLC, Los Angeles
Account Coordinator
2021-2021

Researched marketing and music industry trends to support client projects and memBrain’s monthly music publication, The STORM Report, with a distribution list of 5,000+ industry leaders and executives.

Grades of Green, Los Angeles
Environmental Analyst, Program Advisor
2020 - 2021

Managed data collection and analysis to support grant-writing efforts and programme strategy for the Los Angeles-based educational non-profit. Advised six student teams throughout their community project initiatives. Created and presented educational material for corporate partners and student teams on environmental science and environmental justice topics.

Student Alumni Association
Spring Sing Executive Director 
2021 - 2022

Led committee of 14 students in executing UCLA’s annual production of music, dance, and comedy for an audience of 6,000+. Collaborated with UCLA Alumni Association to manage a budget of $150,000. Directed all aspects of event production, including vendor communications, stage building and striking, AV asset management, and day-of stage management.

Skills
Technical: R; ArcGIS; QGIS; Stata; Python; Excel & Microsoft Office; Quantitative & Qualitative Research

Management: Public Speaking; Project Management; Academic and Commercial Writing; Leadership

Language: Spanish (intermediate)
References
Ana Varela Varela 
Assistant Professor
London School of Economics and Political Science
a.varela-varela@lse.ac.uk

Alan Barrecca 
Associate Professor
University of California, Los Angeles
abarreca@ioes.ucla.edu

Malcolm Au
Senior Associate
Bellwether
malcolmau4@gmail.com

Liz Heller 
Managing Partner
memBrain LLC
hellerliz@me.com

Alyson Beckman 
Director
UCLA Alumni Association
alyson.beckman@gmail.com








Last Updated 09.12.25
WORKS




Institutions, Community, and Resilience:
Local Business Recovery in the Wake of the 2025 Los Angeles Fires


< Project > 
An interview-based qualitative research project examining how business owners impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles fires experienced recovery, and how they perceived institutions such as insurance providers, government aid, and community networks as actors in that process. Using thematic analysis, the study engages with ongoing academic debates on disaster recovery, institutional trust, and the growing reliance on community support.

April 2025



Development and Gentrification in Chicago: 
A Spatial Exploration of the Impact of Short-Term Rentals and Green Space on Long-Term Residents


< Project >  
Computed and visualised in R, this report explores the ongoing conversation around development and gentrification in Chicago. The spatial analysis employs census tract-level socioeconomic data, Landsat data, and Airbnb distribution and pricing data to explore gentrification trends as they relate to the proliferation of short-term rental properties and the development of green space. 

December 2024



Wildfire Predictive Modelling in the Wildland-Urban Interface:
Evaluating the Role of Social and Environmental Factors in the Santa Monica Mountains

< Project >  This study evaluates the statistical significance of budgetary and investment decisions alongside traditional wildfire predictors, such as environmental and climatic variables. Drawing on fire perimeter data from the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding wildland–urban interface (2015–2025), it applies Random Forest analysis to assess the relative influence of preparedness measures on wildfire behavior outcomes.

August 2025



Costs and Benefits of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games:
Mega-Events in a Post-Disaster Landscape

< Report > 
This report considers the costs and benefits of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, drawing on past mega-event data and public economic appraisal frameworks. While LA28’s model of private funding and venue reuse reduces risk, public liabilities remain through infrastructure spending and the city’s role as financial guarantor. In the wake of the 2025 wildfires and strained public finances, the analysis highlights the heightened risks of cost overruns and the potential diversion of resources from critical recovery and social services.

May 2025

Community Park Planning Along the Los Angeles River:
An Equitable Approach Based on Environmental, Socioeconomic, and Health Metrics


< Project > As part of UCLA’s Institute of Environment and Sustainability Senior Practicum Program, this group research project supported LA Waterkeeper’s community-based park development initiative. The team integrated R, GIS, and historical and community records to identify land parcels along the LA River where pocket park development would maximize community and ecological benefits. My primary contributions focused on GIS analysis and data integration within the final report.

June 2022