Cal State Fullerton environmental studies alum Riley Christie has accepted a prestigious position as a coastal program analyst with the California Coastal Commission, one of the state’s leading regulatory agencies dedicated to coastal protection.
In her new role, Christie will review development projects along California’s coastline to ensure they comply with the state’s landmark environmental legislation, the Coastal Act of 1976. Her work will focus on preserving natural resources and ensuring equitable public access to California’s scenic coastal areas.
“This is truly a dream job for me,” said Christie. “I am incredibly grateful for the faculty and staff at CSUF who supported me and helped me explore my passions. I especially want to thank Sudarshan Kurwadkar, professor of civil and environmental engineering; Elaine Lewinnek, professor of American studies; Nicole Seymour, professor of English, comparative literature and linguistics; and my family and friends for their constant encouragement.”
Christie’s academic and professional journey demonstrates a deep and sustained commitment to environmental advocacy. She began her undergraduate studies at UC Irvine, earning her degree in environmental science and policy and business economics. After graduation, she worked in various roles across the environmental sector, including as an environmental planner and sustainability specialist. Her work spanned writing environmental impact analyses in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations and overseeing major infrastructure projects, particularly in the water and wastewater sectors.
Despite a thriving career, Christie felt compelled to return to academia in fall 2023 to deepen her understanding of environmental systems and policy. While pursuing her graduate degree at CSUF, she continued working full-time and immersed herself in classroom and research opportunities.
While at CSUF, Christie stood out for her research productivity and mentorship. In summer 2024, she worked alongside Kurwadkar to mentor two undergraduate students through the Summer Undergraduate Research Academy. She later extended her research involvement through the Engaging Graduate Students in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities initiative, where she conducted original research into the hydrolysis kinetics of selected neonicotinoid insecticides, widely used insecticides with emerging ecological implications.
Christie’s graduate thesis, completed in spring 2025, focused on mapping PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or so-called “forever chemicals”) contamination in California’s drinking water supplies. Working under the guidance of faculty from civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and public health, her interdisciplinary research assessed both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks across California counties using the Environmental Protection Agency’s hazard index and lifetime cancer risk metrics.
“Riley is meticulous and ever eager to learn,” said Kurwadkar. “She is passionate about research and willing to put in the time and effort to complete the job. She’s also an exceptional mentor and collaborator.”
As she prepares to begin her new role at the California Coastal Commission, Christie is excited to contribute to the state’s coastal protection efforts from a regulatory perspective. She views the position as an ideal intersection of her academic background, professional experience and passion for environmental stewardship.
“I look forward to growing with a regulatory agency like the CCC,” Christie said. “It’s an exciting new chapter, and I’m ready to make a meaningful impact.”