From mapping flood-prone communities in Southeast Texas to documenting how hurricanes impact farmers in the Caribbean, Gianna Sorola’s research centers on amplifying community voices to better understand and respond to environmental challenges. As a graduate student in Natural Resources and Environmental Science at Prairie View A&M University, her work focuses on disaster resilience, agricultural systems, and community-based approaches to solving real-world problems. 

Her current thesis, “Using Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) to Capture Community Knowledge of Flooding in Southeast Texas,” is part of a larger U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded project through the Southeast Texas Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (SETX-UIFL). Her research explores how local knowledge can be used to identify flood-prone areas, assess impacts, and evaluate how community-identified risks compare with FEMA floodplain maps. Through participatory mapping and qualitative interviews, her work highlights the importance of incorporating lived experiences into flood risk management and planning, particularly in vulnerable Gulf Coast communities. 

Throughout her academic career, Gianna has contributed to a wide range of research projects. Her work includes assessing technology adoption among farmers in Jamaica, examining the impacts of hurricanes on agricultural producers through participatory methods like Photovoice, and exploring AI-driven solutions for environmental challenges such as nanomaterial pollution. She has also conducted research on global education experiences, including identifying student perspectives on study abroad programs to improve faculty-led opportunities. 

Gianna’s research has been presented at numerous conferences, including the ARD Research Symposium, the National MANRRS Conference, the AI in Agriculture Conference, and the Conference for Interdisciplinary Student Research (CISR). She has also participated in the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) conferences and Disaster Preparedness, Response, Innovation, Mitigation, and Recovery (PRIMR)events, showcasing her interdisciplinary work across agriculture, environmental science, and community resilience. 

Beyond presentations, Gianna has gained extensive hands-on experience through study abroad programs in the Bahamas (2023 and 2025) and research work in Jamaica. During her second study abroad experience, she conducted interviews with Bahamian farmers to better understand the impacts of Hurricane Beryl on agricultural livelihoods. This work provided valuable insight into how farmers adapt to extreme weather events and highlighted the importance of integrating local perspectives into disaster response and recovery efforts. She also participated in experiential learning programs, including the Ohio State University summer program, which further strengthened her technical and professional skills. 

Gianna has worked closely with faculty mentors and research teams within CAFNR, contributing to collaborative projects that bridge research, extension, and community engagement. Her work has been supported by major funding initiatives, including the DOE-supported SETX-UIFL project, as well as institutional research programs that promote student scholarship and innovation. She is also a co-author on a peer-reviewed publication examining how historically underserved farmers and ranchers respond to natural disasters, highlighting the importance of inclusive and community-driven research approaches. 

Through her academic journey, Gianna has developed a strong passion for using research to address real-world environmental and agricultural challenges. Her experiences have shaped her career goals by reinforcing her commitment to community-centered research, disaster preparedness, and sustainable resource management. She aims to continue working at the intersection of research, policy, and community engagement to create meaningful and lasting impacts.