Lauren Brunton

Lauren Brunton is an Environmental Scientist at Tetra Tech in Kansas City, Missouri, where she has contributed for over three years in both project management and emergency response roles. In her current position, she manages environmental projects, conducts field sampling, and applies her expertise in GIS and environmental data analysis to support a wide range of client needs. Her work spans from managing field operations to coordinating emergency environmental responses, reflecting her strong adaptability and technical proficiency.

Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she also completed a certification in GIS. During her academic career, she contributed to significant research projects, including developing GIS-based watershed classifications for FEMA and building sensor technology for urban farming initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation. Prior to UMKC, she earned an Associate’s degree in Environmental Studies from Columbia College.

Her career foundation includes hands-on laboratory experience at Eurofins-Viracor, where she assisted with COVID-19 and infectious disease testing during the height of the pandemic. This experience gave her a strong understanding of laboratory protocols and public health response, which complements her fieldwork in environmental science today.

Outside of work, Lauren is passionate about mentoring and has volunteered with Define Your Shine, where she supported young women in health and personal development. She continues to be driven by a desire to apply science to solve community and environmental challenges while mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals.

• University of Missouri-Kansas City - BS