Kirstin L. Neff
kneff@email.arizona.edu
1133 E. James E Rogers Way
Tucson, AZ 85721
Education
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZ (Jun. 2008 – present)
Master of Science (August 2009 – present), Hydrology, expected May 2011. 3.9/4.0 GPA. Advisors: Thomas
Maddock III and Thomas Meixner.
Non-degree student (June 2008 – May 2009). Chem, Physics, Diff. Eq’s, Mining Eng., Fluid Mech., Geology
WELLESLEY COLLEGE, Wellesley, MA (Sept. 2004 – May 2008)
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, with honors in Political Science, 2008. Second major in Russian. 3.61/4.0 GPA. Major
GPA: 3.73 (Political Science). Senior honors thesis: “Sources of U.S. Immigration Policy, 1986-2006.” Advisor:
Robert Paarlberg. Selected to participate in Wellesley in Washington 2007 Summer Internship Program.
INTERNATIONAL STUDY
Middlebury College School in Russia, Moscow site (Fall 2006)
Yale Summer Language Institute, Russian Language and Culture in St. Petersburg (2006)
CANYON DEL ORO HIGH SCHOOL, Tucson, AZ (Sept. 2000 – May 2004)
Graduated 3rd in a class of 512. 4.42 weighted GPA.
Work Experience
UNIV OF AZ DEPT OF HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES, Tucson, AZ (Aug. 2009 – present)
Graduate Research Assistant (May 2010 – present). Updating GMS/MODFLOW model for the Upper San Pedro
River Basin, AZ. Collaborate with government agencies and other scientists working in the basin.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Aug. 2009 – May 2010). Graded student work and assisted with lectures and tutoring.
M3 ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, Tucson, AZ (Jun. 2008 – present)
Technical Writer. Edit and translate technical documents to/from Spanish, including pre-feasibility studies for mines
in Mexico and Canada and construction specification manuals. Translate AutoCAD drawings from all engineering
disciplines into Spanish. Revised process plant commissioning plan for multimillion dollar project.
HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT, Arlington, VA (May – Jul. 2007)
Research Intern. Prepared transcripts and summary reports of media coverage for use by senior campaign staff.
GREENPEACE RUSSIA, Moscow, Russia (Sept. – Dec. 2006)
Intern. Prepared informational materials and translated press releases from Russian to English. Translated a 15-page
scientific report from Russian to English for use at a conference. Russian-speaking office.
PFORZHEIMER LEARNING AND TEACHING CENTER, Wellesley, MA (Sept. – Dec. 2005)
Tutor. Tutored Wellesley students in introductory probability and statistics.
MARGARET CLAPP LIBRARY, Wellesley, MA (Sept. 2004 – May 2008)
Conservation Assistant. Cleaned and restored library books and other materials.
Leadership Experience
WELLESLEY COLLEGE DEMOCRATS (2005 – 2008)
Co-President (2007-2008). Organized campaigns and lectures promoting the Democratic Party. Coordinated efforts
of 10 executive board officers and over 30 active general members. Represented organization in national media.
JOHN A. MAZIE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION MENTORING PROGRAM (2007 – 2008)
Mentor. Provided academic and emotional support to an at-risk high school student in weekly two-hour sessions.
Attended regular mentor training sessions on how to help mentees plan for life after high school.
WC INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COUNCIL JOURNAL (2004 – 2006)
Managing Editor for Students (2005-2006). Managed a team of editors who selected and edited student papers for
publication in the annual scholarly journal.
WC COMMITTEE FOR POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION (2005 – 2006)
Treasurer. Managed budget in excess of $10,000 for non-partisan committee overseeing campus political activity.
Skills
Language: Proficient in Russian and Spanish. Computer: Microsoft Office and the internet. Intermediate
knowledge of ArcGIS, MATLAB, PHREEQC, NETPATH, MODFLOW, GMS, VSAFT2, and AutoCAD. Basic
knowledge of HTML, C++, and Java coding languages. Experienced with both PCs and Macs. Proficient with
English and Russian keyboards.
Awards
Graduate College Fellowship, University of Arizona, 2010.
Natalie Bolton Faculty Prize in Economics, Wellesley College, 2008.
Finalist, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program, 2008.
Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, 2006.
Alternate, National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarship, 2006.
Overall Highest Scoring Student, Arizona Academic Decathlon Region III Competition, 2004.
National Merit Finalist, 2004.
Posters, Presentations and Publications
“Revealing Industrial Activity through Trace Element Analysis of Clark’s Pond Sediments in Walpole, MA.”
Poster: Ruhlman Conference, Wellesley College, MA, Apr. 2008.
“Environmental Activism and Russian Democracy: Lessons in Translation.”
Presentation: Tanner Conference, Wellesley College, MA. Nov. 2007.
Neff, Kirstin. “A Moral Dilemma: U.S. Public Opinion and Humanitarian Intervention.” Wellesley College
International Relations Council Journal Vol. 4 (Spring 2007), pgs. 42-53.
“The Impact of Watershed Development on the Littoral Community of Lake Baikal.”
Presentation: Tanner Conference, Wellesley College, MA, Nov. 2005.