Master of Environmental Management student Camber Vincent shares his journey to choosing the Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM) concentration and how it’s preparing his for a successful career. From initial motivations to key experiences in the program, get an inside look at how this concentration is shaping his future.

What drew you to the EAM concentration and how is it preparing you for your career?

I was drawn to the Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM) concentration because of its emphasis on quantitative analysis and data-driven decision-making in environmental management. I had a background in data science and statistics, and thought that the EAM concentration would help me develop the skills necessary to apply my knowledge to the world of environmental management. Through coursework in spatial analysis, programming and statistical modeling, I’ve developed technical skills that allow me to assess environmental challenges with precision—an essential capability for addressing complex policy and sustainability issues in my career. The EAM concentration has opened up roles for me in data analytics, model development and geospatial planning.

How does that skillset complement what you're learning in your other concentration?

My training in EAM complements my other concentration, Coastal and Marine Systems (CAMS), by providing a strong analytical foundation to support policy and management decisions. The EAM concentration allows me to integrate technical modeling and geospatial analysis with my work in coastal and marine systems, unlocking new insights. My Master's Project, under the CAMS concentration, will rely on skills I've developed in both concentrations concurrently as I seek to analyze and model the development of marine-protected areas on the high seas under the UN's Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement.

What has been the most rewarding experience or project in the program?

One of my most rewarding experiences in the program has been the opportunities to get involved with research on campus. This year, I have been working with the Duke Center on Risk on research pertaining to solar radiation modification where I get to apply my analytics skills. I will also be working for the Duke Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab during the summer 2025 period and getting involved with a Bass Connections research team focusing on debt-for-nature swaps during the 2025-2026 school year. There are so many opportunities to apply analytics and modeling skills to current research at Duke if you seek them out, and it has been incredibly rewarding to use my skills to advance research and understanding while I am still a student in the MEM program.

What advice would you give to someone considering this concentration?

For anyone considering EAM, I’d recommend embracing both the technical and applied aspects of the coursework. Building a strong foundation in coding, data visualization and statistical methods early on will make more advanced modeling and analysis projects much more manageable. Also, I'd highly recommend taking advantage of course offerings in other schools across Duke! During my time at the Nicholas school, I've been able to take courses in risk and resilience engineering at the Pratt School of Engineering, political economy and forecasting at the Sanford School of Public Policy, and an advanced statistics course at the Graduate School, all of which teach different aspects of the broad field of analytics and modeling, helping you develop a unique skillset.