Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun is a graduating senior from Fontana, California, attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she is earning her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Environmental Systems with a concentration in Environmental Studies. At North Carolina A&T, Genesis has built a strong academic and professional foundation through her passion for environmental research, water conservation, and community-centered sustainability initiatives. She is a CAES 1890 Scholar, Wellspring Coalition Project Scholar, Training Integrated Climate Smart Agriculture Steward (TICAS), Yale Conservation Scholar, and Undergraduate Research Program Scholar. She is also pursuing her Waste Management Institute Certification. Driven by a deep interest in environmental justice and applied research, Genesis has gained hands-on experience studying natural resource systems in both academic and professional settings. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Environmental Studies Research Lab at North Carolina A&T, she conducted field measurements of turbidity and physicochemical water quality parameters in urban streams using specialized water-quality instruments. Her current research focuses on analyzing water quality index scores in Greensboro, North Carolina, with special attention to Muddy Creek and South Buffalo Creek, two streams that flow through North Carolina A&T’s campus and farm.
In summer 2025, Genesis served as a Yale Conservation Scholar through the Yale School of the Environment’s Early Leadership Initiative and interned with the Choose Clean Water Coalition in Annapolis, Maryland. In that role, she conducted interviews with practitioners across the Mid-Atlantic region to better understand community perceptions, barriers, and opportunities related to implementing nature-based solutions. She also engaged in conservation conferences and shoreline restoration efforts, further strengthening her commitment to water conservation and climate resilience.
Beyond water research, Genesis has contributed to agricultural and environmental innovation through research with AG Tech Research and Extension at Texas A&M-CC and USDA, where she studied irrigation systems, soil moisture, and cotton production using GIS, UAV sensors, and other field technologies. Her broader professional experience also includes serving as a Mayor’s Environmental Intern for the City of Rialto, where she supported community garden development, advocated for water conservation practices, and helped analyze strategies to improve urban tree canopy and reduce carbon emissions.
Genesis is equally committed to leadership, service, and mentorship. She is actively involved in organizations such as MANRRS, African Aggies Coalition, and the National Council of Negro Women, where she serves as Chair of the Education Committee for the NCAT Section. Through her academic achievements, research experience, and dedication to environmental stewardship, Genesis aspires to create meaningful, community-focused solutions that advance sustainability and environmental equity.