Employee Spotlight: Madelyn Chapman

Meet ORAU employee Madelyn Chapman! Madelyn is an ORAU contractor working under the National Student Services Contract (NSSC) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a Research Communications and Outreach Specialist in Washington, DC, Madelyn supports EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Immediate Office of the Assistant Administrator (IOAA). Madelyn’s work assists the IOAA with the duties required to support and maintain robust research programs, focusing on the communication of research activities and results to internal and external partners, stakeholders, and the public.

Madelyn recently attended the 2024 Cumulative Impacts Science Forum at EPA’s Research Triangle Park, NC facility. The Cumulative Impacts Forum was hosted by the EPA ORD’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) National Research Program. This conference included workshops, speakers, presentations, and team-building exercises. Madelyn was asked to attend to take part in documenting the event and to facilitate discussions. When asked what she enjoyed the most about the conference, Madelyn said, “I enjoyed making in-person connections with so many talented and dedicated researchers. The forum was very hands-on, and I was able to facilitate a group of scientists during the breakout sessions. I learned so much by working with them through their ideas.”

In addition to highlighting conference travel and meeting colleagues at Research Triangle Park, NC, we asked Madelyn about joining the EPA IOAA team and her work. When asked what her favorite part of working at EPA has been so far, Madelyn said, “My favorite part of joining the EPA team has been working with people my age who are just as passionate about the environment as I am! It is inspiring to see how many intelligent and innovative people are working towards the same goal as me because we all truly care about it. It feels like we are making a difference rather than just doing our jobs.”

Background

Madelyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Christopher Newport University in May 2023. CNU’s Environmental Studies Program is unique because it focuses primarily on literature and the intersections between the environment and social justice issues. Madelyn believes that her educational background gives her a valuable perspective on the natural world. Her educational and career goals are directed toward protecting the earth’s resources along with its communities. All of this naturally feeds into Madelyn’s work with at EPA IOAA.