Rebecca Feldman

Harmonious healer: Rebecca Feldman

School/College: College of Science and Technology
Degree: BS, geology, 2018
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Current Job Title: Remedial project manager, Superfund program
Current Employer: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Cleaning up toxic pollutants from uranium mines and complex landfills is sometimes actually the easy part of her job, says Rebecca Feldman, CST ’18. As a remedial project manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund program, Rebecca is responsible for overseeing the restoration of some of the most environmentally contaminated places in America. Many of Rebecca’s sites in the Pacific Northwest are on tribal lands where trust in the federal government is understandably low, requiring thoughtful collaboration and a dedication to environmental justice.

Temple’s diverse university community helped prepare her for interacting with people from all walks of life. She also credits the low student-teacher ratio within the university’s earth and environmental science program for providing a high level of attention to each student. Ultimately, she says, both elements of her Temple education played a critical role in preparing her to repair contaminated areas of earth and connect with those who live nearby.

Fight, fight, fight. Playing the alto sax at Temple football games as a member of the Temple University Diamond Marching Band enabled Rebecca to immerse herself in life as an Owl. She enjoyed performing the university’s alma mater and leading fans in cheers and, she says, the spirit behind the songs became intrinsic to her identity.

Rebecca Feldman poses for a photo next to a warning sign.

“Temple’s earth and environmental science program has amazing staff who are very passionate about what they do. They come from amazing, respected universities. If you have a question, they want to help you. If you want to be involved, they will involve you.”

—Rebecca Feldman
Remedial project manager, Superfund program

In the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, Rebecca studied groundwater contamination during her sophomore year. It was part of a departmental focus on fieldwork that pushed her to get out of her comfort zone. The following summer, she worked with the Spanish government as a field geologist studying volcanoes on the Canary Islands off Western Africa.

Forging her path. For a time, Rebecca focused on volcanoes, studying them while obtaining a master’s in geology from the University of Iceland. But a career in environmental remediation ultimately seemed more practical, and Rebecca took a position studying water pollution with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. After two years she landed with the country's top environmental enforcement agency, the EPA, working primarily in Washington and Oregon, and fell in love with the job—“I can't see myself leaving,” she says.