With over 30+ years of interdisciplinary experience across environmental science, education, community engagement and project management, Dr. Shakila Merchant is a seasoned expert in designing and leading high-impact research, workforce development, and education initiatives. Her work spans environmental health, climate change, STEM training, and developing equity-focused education models. Dr. Merchant’s leadership bridges federal agencies, academia, and communities to deliver transformative outcomes in experiential learning, student advancement, stakeholder engagement and workforce development.

 As part of the  NOAA Center leadership, Dr. Merchant designed and led several education and training modules and core competency, and workforce pathways that served more than 900 post secondary students trained in NOAA mission enterprise since 2002. Dr. Merchant conceptualized and developed  social science integration framework across the Center and its national consortium. She is passionate about creating equitable pathways for students particularly from underserved, underrepresented and first generation students to retain in STEM fields with a focus on Earth System Sciences and Engineering.  She has build a robust synergy across Federal, State, Private Sectors and Academia that paved successful workforce pathways for the  recent graduates in the field of Earth and Geosciences.

Dr. Merchant has created a College readiness program called HIRES that serves as a recruitment pipeline for NYC high school students to CCNY/CUNY as incoming STEM  freshmen with a focus on earth system and environmental engineering. The program, part of the AmNH NYC Science Research Mentorship Consortium (NYCSRMC) and funded by Pinkerton Foundation, has impacted more than 300 NYC high school students since 2013. 

1. Howe, J., Merchant, S, Groffman, P., Hernandez. (2025) Assessing mangrove canopy height and health changes in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria using remote sensing techniques. Journal Title: Ecosphere. March 23, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70226
2. Howe, J., Groffman, P., Hernandez, Merchant, S. Heavy Metal Contamination and Blue Carbon Sequestration in Mangrove Ecosystems of Puerto Rico.” (JEQ-2025-03-0098-TR.R2), Journal of Environmental Quality, In Press
3. Merchant S., Weissman JL, MacLachlan E. Creating a Broader Impacts Culture. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship. 2024 November 13; 17(2):9. https://doi.org/10.54656/jces.v17i2.613
4. Howe, J., Groffman, P., Hernandez, W., Merchant, S., Pessutti, J, (under review). Blue Carbon Storage & Environmental Influences in Mangroves, Puerto Rico. Journal of Environmental Quality (Wiley)
5. Howe, J., Groffman, P., Hernandez, W., and Merchant, S. (Under review). Heavy Metal Contamination and its Influences on Blue Carbon in Mangroves in Puerto Rico. Soil Science Society of American Journal (Wiley).
6. Merchant, S., (2025) CUNY – High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering and Sciences (HIRES) – A College Readiness Secondary Education Model - 10 years in Retrospect. 34^th Conference on Education, 105^th Annual American Meteorological Society (AMS) Meeting, New Orleans, LA, Jan 13-16, 2025. https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/457245
7. Howe, J., Merchant, S., Groffman, P., Hernandez, W., and Pessutti, J (2024) Using Lidar to Estimate Canopy Height Loss of Mangroves Due to Hurricane Maria and Satellite Imagery to Assess Recovery of Mangroves in Puerto Rico. American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference, Washington DC., December 2024. https://agu.confex.com/agu/agu24/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1644063
8. Merchant, S., Lakhankar, T (2023). High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth System Engineering and Sciences (HIRES): Experiential Learning and College Readiness Program for NYC High School Students - an 8 years outlook. 32^nd Education Symposium, 103rd Annual AMS Meeting, January 8-13, 2023, Denver, CO.
9. Merchant, S. and Moshary, F. (2023). Bridging Research and Experiential Learning: An Holistic Approach to Recruit, Train, Pipeline & Prepare Students for Professional Careers in NOAA Mission Enterprise. 32^nd Education Symposium, 103^rd Annual AMS Meeting, January 8-13, 2023, Denver, CO.
10. Lakhankar, T.L., Merchant, S and Khanbilvardi, R. (2023). Sensing The New York City: Through Education and Community Outreach Approach using Weather Monitoring Network. 32^nd Education Symposium, 103^rd Annual AMS Meeting, January 8-13, 2023, Denver, CO.
11. Merchant, S and Khanbilvardi R., (2019). Place-based Research and Professional Experiential Learning Models through NOAA’s Investment, 28^th Education Symposium, 99^th AMS Annual Meeting, January 6-10, 2019, Phoenix, AZ.
12. Merchant, S. (2019).  High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth System Engineering and Sciences (HIRES): Experiential Learning and College Readiness Program for NYC High School Students. 28^th Education Symposium, 99^th AMS Annual Meeting, January 6-10, 2019, Phoenix, AZ.
13. Merchant, S. and Marlene K., (2019). Session Chair: A STEM learning community of practice network: Bringing STEM advocates and educators together to share and learn from their experiences through informal and formal education programs, 28^th Education Symposium held during 99^th AMS Annual Meeting, January 6-10, 2019, Phoenix, AZ.
14. Merchant, S and Khanbilvardi, R. (2018). CREST Summer Bridge: A Program to recruit, train and pipeline & prepare undergraduate students for NOAA Hollings and Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities. Poster Presented at the 2018 GEO REU-PI workshop funded by NSF, hosted by National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder CO, September 14-15, 2018.
15. Wilson, M., Merchant, S., Divakarla, M.G., (2018) The JPSS-SPARKS Initiative: Bridging Between the CUNY Classroom and the NOAA Workforce. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2018, abstract #ED53E-0755
16. Merchant, S. (2017). An Innovative STEM Learning Model in Engineering Education: A case study of High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering and Science. Pre-College Education Initiatives Part-II, 97^th Annual AMS Meeting, 26^th Education Symposium, Seattle, WA, January 23, 2017.
17. Merchant, S, Goldberg, M, and Khanbilvardi, R. (2016) A Novel Approach to Prepare the Next Generation Cadre of JPSS Scientists through Pragmatic Education and Training, 96^th Annual AMS Meeting, 25^th Education Symposium, New Orleans, LA., January 2016.
18. Merchant, S, Khanbilvardi, R. and Morimoto, E.T.A (2016). NOAA-CREST Pre-College Education & Training Model: High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth System Science and Engineering HIRES, 96^th Annual AMS Meeting, 25^th Education Symposium., New Orleans, LA., January 2016.
19. Merchant, S. and Morimoto, E.T.A. and Khanbilvardi, R. (2015). High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Science and Engineering (HIRES). IEEE Integrated STEM Conference, Princeton University, NJ, March 2015, DOI: 10.1109/ISECon.2015.7119917
20. Merchant, S. and Morimoto, E.T.A and R. Khanbilvardi (2014). An Integrated STEM Learning Model for High School in Engineering Education. IEEE Integrated STEM Conference, Princeton University, NJ, March 2014 (designated as one (out of 55) 6 best papers presented at the conference) DOI:10.1109/ISECon.2014.6891036
21. Merchant, S. and R. Khanbilvardi (2013).  Integration of remote sensing tool to study oceanic, atmospheric and hydrologic sciences: A holistic education and outreach model.  93^rd Annual AMS Meeting, 22^nd Education Symposium, Austin, TX, January 2013.
22. Merchant, S. and R. Khanbilvardi (2011). A National Framework to Integrate Remote Sensing Science and Education in K-20 Training. IEEE Integrated STEM Conference, Ewing, NJ, April 2011. 04/2011; DOI: 10.1109/ISECon.2011.6229633
23. Merchant, S., Khanbilvardi, R., and Rousseau, J. (2010). Educational Partnership Program: A framework for producing future generation of scientists in inter-disciplinary NOAA related sciences. Paper presented in the Panel Discussion in the University Consortium of Water Resources (UCOWR) – The National Institute for Water Resources (NIWR) 2010 Annual Conference on HydroFutures: Water Science, Technology, and Communities, July 13-15, 2010, Seattle, Washington.
24. Ghosh, T.K. Merchant, S.B., and Kaul, S.N. (2002). Need to protect Steep Slopes as Ecological Sensitive Areas in India. Journal of Indian Association of Environmental Management, Vol. 29, pp. 115-123.
25. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Joseph, V., and Kumar, R. (2002). Aerosol Scavenging: Model Application and Sensitivity Analysis in the Indian Context, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Vol. 74, pp. 105-116.
26. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Gupta, A.K. and Khanna, P. (1995). Biodiversity and Impact of Pollution on the Forests of Doon Valley. J. of Himalayan Geology. Vol. 6(2), pp. 75-80.
27. J.S. Pandey, S. Khan, R. Shanker, P.R. Chaudhary, P. Padmanabhan and T.K.Ghosh, Effect of Predation and Zooplankton - Mortality on the Overall Ecosystem - Health of Udaipur Lakes in India: A Case Study Application of Five Compartments Ecological Food - Web Interaction Model. Journal of Environmental Systems Vol. 27(4), 281-292 1999
28. J.S. Pandey, S.  Khan and P. Khanna. Modeling and Quantification of Temporal Risk Gradients (TRG) for Important Traffic Zones of Delhi City in India., Journal of Environmental Systems Vol. 28(1), 2001, pp. 55-69
29. Khan, S. and Gupta, A.K. (1998) Man's Prosperity at the cost of Natural Heritage : The Forest. In : M.P. Sinha [Ed.] Recent Advances in Ecobiological Research. Vol. II, APH Publishing House, New Delhi, pp. 1-9.
30. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S.., Abidi, F.J. and Khanna, P. (1998). Regional Carrying Capacity Based Integrated Planning for Sustainable Development of Urban and Fringe Rural Areas in Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystems. In Special Issue of Journal of Rural Development, National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. Vol. 12(3), 495-509 pp.
31. Pandey, J.S. and Khan, S. Abidi, F.J. and Khanna, P. (1998). LUCC-Dynamics and Estimation of Effective Ecosystem Sink Potential (EESP) for National Capital Region in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. National Workshop on Indo-Gangetic Plain: LUCC Workshop at National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land-Use Planning, March 31-April 1, 1998.
32. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Joshi, A. and Khanna, P. (1998). Issues related to Impact of Green House Gases, Biodiversity and Sink Potential: A Case Study of Jamshedpur Region. In: [Eds.] Parasher, D.C. Sharma, C., Mitra A.P., Global Environment Chemistry, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, 273-279 pp.
33. Khan, S.  (1997). Biodiversity Conservation for a Better Tomorrow. Yojana. A Journal Published of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi. Vol. 41(7). pp. 31-33.
34. Gupta, A.K. and Khan, S. (1997). Ecological Concepts of Development: Context of Biodiversity and Survival. In : M.P. Sinha [Ed.] Recent Advances in Ecobiological Research, Vol. I. APH Publishing House, New Delhi, pp. 7-13.
35. Pandey, J.S., Joseph, V., Khan, S., Shanker, R., and Kumar, R. (2000). Modeling of Ground Water Contamination and Contextual Phytoremediation: Sensitivity Analysis for an Indian Case Study, Contaminated Site Remediation: From Source Zones to Ecosystems. Proceedings 2000 Contaminated Site Remediation Conference (CSRC), Melbourne, Victoria, 4-8 December, 2000, pp 545-552.
36. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Gupta, A.K. , Khanna, P. (1996). Atmospheric Impacts on Biospheric Systems due to Accumulation of Greenhouse Gases. Lecture for training programme on “Chemistry of the Earth’s Atmospheric Environment (April, 1996) NPL, New Delhi, India.
37. Khan, S.  (1996). Biodiversity: Why care about it?.  Environmental Bioinformatics Newsletter. Vol. 3. pp. 3-8.
38. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Gupta, A.K., and Khanna, P. (1995). Nutrient Cycling Studies in Relation to Forest Productivity. Sixth Regional Meeting of Silviculturists and Research Workers of Central Region, Nagpur, Jan. 9-11, 1995.
39. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Gupta, A.K., and Khanna, P. (1995). Sink Potentials and Assimilative Capacities of Some Select Indian Tree Species with Specific Reference to Air Pollution. VANSHOBHA, A Journal of Friends of Trees on Environmental Conservation. Feb, 1995, 33-38 pp.
40. Pandey, J.S.; Khan, S., Gupta, A.K., and Khanna, P.  (1995). Modified Sink Potential Index: A Case Study of Doon Valley.  Paper Presented at "Group Discussion   on   Sustainable Development in the Doon Valley:  Constraints of Geo-Environment", at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, India, during June 15-16, 1995 pp. 30 (Abstract Published).
41. Pandey, J.S., Khan, S., Gupta, A.K. and Khanna, P. (1995). Biodiversity and Impact of Pollution on the Forests of Doon Valley. J. of Himalayan Geology. Vol. 6(2), 75-80 pp.
42. Badrinath, S.D. Chakraborty, A. and Khan, S. (1994).   Forest Ecosystem and Mining Activity.  Paper presented in the  International   Conference  on  Impact  of  Mining  on   the Environment pp. 159-172.
43. Nath, A.K.,  Badrinath,  S.D., Khan,  S.,  and  Kale,  C.K. (1991).  Biological Environmental  Impact  Assessment   for   Development  of Better Micro-Ecosystem. Paper presented  in   the   Conference   Organized  by   Indian   Association   of    Environmental Management, held during Dec. 15-16, 1991
44. Khan, S., Nath, A.K., and   Badrinath, S.D.  (1990).  Environmental Impact on Mangrove Ecosystem: with Reference to India. J. of Encology. Vol. 5(7), pp. 1-11.
45. Khan, S., Nath, A.K., and Badrinath, S.D., (1990). Environmental Impact Assessment: Its Future in Developing Countries.  Paper presented in the National Conference on "Women and Science", Organized by Indian Women Scientist     Association, held   during Nov.  1-3, 1990.   (Abstract Published). Won the best paper presentation award
46. Khan, S., Shinde, J.S., and Tembhare, D.B. (1989).  Studies of Neurosecretory System of Ventral Ganglia of Pupae of   fruit Sucking Moth, Ohtreis materna. Paper presented in the Natl.  Symp. on Animal Physiology held at Dept. of Zoology, Nagpur University PGTD Campus, during January 29-31, 1989 (Abstract Published).

• CUNY Graduate Center Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) 71700 Earth Systems-II
• ENGR 30200 001 Ecosystems and Data Analysis and GIS
• SUS 7501C & 7502C: Capstone Interdisciplinary Team Project
• 2025 SP [1] Final Project in ESEE ENGR I9900 Q [58048] [Lecture] [City College]
• 2026 SP [1] ENGR 59803/SUS 7300C [MERGED] Industrial Ecology [Lecture] [City College] 

• DoE RENEW proposal award- Co-Principal Investigator (2025-2028)
• NASA/MUREP award– Sr. Personnel (2025-2028)
• NSF/Build and Broaden (under review) - led by Prof. Yana Kucheva, Prof. of Sociology, Collin Powel School, CCNY. My role – community engagement and summer outreach
• NSF/R2I2 CUNY PI – planning grant (under review) led by George Mason U. My role – community engagement and summer outreach.
• UCAR/Presidential Community Engagement Funds (PCEF) - Enhancing Water Ecosystem Resilience Through Revitalizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Lead PI with other Co-PIs – Dr. Smita Ekka Dewan (NY City Tech) Dr. Naresh Devineni (GSOE/Civil) and Dr. Vartika Saman (GSOE/CREST) (2025-2026)
• CUNY CREST HIRES (2025 renewal Proposal) – Pinkerton Foundation, NY. 2025-2026
• Reimagining STEM Equity: AI-Driven Pedagogy in Multicultural Urban Secondary Classrooms, Proposal under preparation - Spencer Foundation.