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Blake Rupe is the Sustainable Water Development Program Coordinator in IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering. She comes to the College of Engineering after a background in startups and conservation.

Blake received her Master's degree in International Studies and focused her research on the different human drivers behind waste proliferation and marine debris presence. She conducted projects in several areas of this field - from conducting field research in quantifying and classifying the waste problem all the way to identifying and critiquing systemic, institutional obstacles to improving the waste situation.

After graduation, Blake utilized her passion for conservation and skills in web design and development to build mobile conservation and sustainability apps, known as Re-App. She has taken part in the Iowa Startup Accelerator in Cedar Rapids and was named a finalist for the Iowa Women of Innovation award.

As a conservationist, Blake is passionate about promoting clean water and community engagement to improve environmental health.

For more information on the Foreign Relations Council visit their website at www.icfrc.org.