Atifa Hoque

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Physical Scientist, Programs Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York, New York

Atifa Hoque was only four months into her job as a physical scientist and program coordinator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when she received a regional award from the agency for her teamwork in helping to coordinate two public meetings on climate change. When the EPA wanted feedback from residents of New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on their concerns about the consequences of global warming, Hoque volunteered to set up and publicize the virtual meetings. They were a success.

As a freshman at Brooklyn College, she could not have imagined that she’d become a scientist for a federal agency. It took what she calls “the right support” for her to believe in herself. When she had thoughts of leaving because of stress from the academic workload, Earth and Environmental Sciences Lecturer Matthew Garb helped her remain in the major. When her pandemic job search was eroding her confidence in a career in science, Professor David Seidemann, also in the department, encouraged Hoque to apply for the job she has now.

While earning her degree, she also completed a two-year internship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, again working on social media content and ultimately managing more than 45 other interns as an executive leadership team manager. After she graduated, Hoque interned for the North American Youth Parliament for Water, working on social media content to promote the organization’s goal of developing sustainable solutions for water issues.

Hoque hopes her achievements will inspire others, especially in the Muslim community. “I am proud to be a Muslim representative for a federal agency who has the ability to help make positive changes in this world.”