M.S. Environmental Sciences and Management Students

My interests are predominately in the surface hydrology field with an emphasis in understanding the processes that impact freshwater ecosystems. I am also passionate about the creation of strategies for water remediation and restoration efforts and how to improve aquatic habitats while also promoting sustainable water resources.  

I am from Ventura County, California. I did my undergraduate degree here at Cal Poly with a major in Agribusiness and a minor in Sustainable Agriculture. I am passionate about creating a more resilient food system, which has led me to pursue a master's in ESM. For my project, I will be working with Dr. Babin to research effective methods for the design and implementation of farmer outreach campaigns for climate-smart agriculture in California. I am so excited to work on bridging the gap between agriculture and environmental stewardship while expanding my knowledge over this next year! 

I grew up in San Diego, CA.  In 2024, I completed my undergraduate degree in Environmental Management and Protection with a minor in Sustainable Environments at Cal Poly SLO.  As a master's student, I have the privilege of working with Dr. Appel and Dr. Babin to examine the associations between soil health and coffee quality as well as how small farmers' knowledge and indigenous practices influence these aspects. In my free time, I love to volunteer in the community (especially to improve our environment), explore the outdoors, and play sports such as volleyball and surfing. 

I grew up in Roseville, CA but am now living in the Bay Area! My thesis is focusing on solar arrays and how they impact soil ecology, specifically on soil carbon pools and respiration. I received my BS from CSU Chico in Environmental Science with an emphasis on applied ecology and a minor in Geology. In my free time I love to spend time with my friends, family, and pets (Miso and Tajin), go to the beach, cook, and bake! 

I grew up In Simi Valley, CA, just north of Los Angeles. I recently completed my undergraduate degree in City & Regional Planning, with a minor in Sustainable Environments, from Cal Poly last spring. My study interests lie in climate change adaptation and climate action planning, exploring strategies to mitigate climate risks and enhance community resilience. I am fascinated by the long-term sustainability solutions that our cities undertake to curb climate change, so I am excited to work with Dr. Verma on a project developing coastal adaptation and urban development strategies for sea-level rise in Santa Barbara!

I grew up in Torrance, CA. I started my undergraduate at El Camino City College and transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2024, I received a B.S in Environmental Science at UCSB. While studying abroad at the University of Waikato, I was inspired to pursue a master’s degree, and I am very fortunate to be doing research alongside Dr. Nicholas Williams. My thesis will explore the variables that influence strawberry grower’s attitude towards agriculture waste and related policies. In my free time, I enjoy photography, fishing, hiking, playing beach volleyball and binging shows!

I recently completed my undergraduate degree at Cal Poly in Environmental Management and Protection. Now, I am working on a project with advisement from Dr. Ashley Grupenhoff. I will be studying how different fuel reduction treatments impact chaparral ecosystems. Specifically, I will be looking into how these treatments change plant diversity and cover, as well as how they affect shrub regeneration and resprouting. I look forward to investigating how land management techniques can best support ecosystem resilience and plant biodiversity.

I'll be analyzing the impact of fuel reduction treatments on carbon emissions and wildfire behavior in California forests.

I just completed two years working as a GrizzlyCorps fellow at Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority and subsequently Forestry (MWPA) and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP). Since my graduation from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, I’ve oriented myself toward a career impacting climate change. My Master's project revolves around Best Management Practices (BMPs) and their applications in forestry, especially with regards to above-ground carbon management.

I grew up in the Granite Bay area, just east of Sacramento. In 2024, I graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection, complemented by a minor in Soil Sciences. During my senior year, I joined Dr. Sistla’s soil lab to contribute to a project on plastics in agriculture. I’m excited to continue my work at Cal Poly under Dr. Sistla, focusing on my own iteration of the plastics project. My research will explore the mechanisms of macroplastic movement in agricultural settings and their potential implications in the environment.

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo County, I am excited to stay in my home area to continue my education at Cal Poly. I have received my B.S. Environmental Science and Resource Management, Minor in Economics from CSU Channel Islands, pursuing a M.S. Quantitative Economics degree from California Lutheran University shortly after. My passion has always been towards statistics, especially analyzing and interpreting datasets. My previous project experience has catered towards Environmental Economics, focusing on Natural Resource Valuation and Greenhouse Gas (AQI) forecasting. After working in professional settings with marketing and financial analytics for several years, I’ve decided to transition back into Environmental Economics, focusing on greenhouse gas sustainability at Cal Poly. In my free time, I am an avid gamer and enjoy being outdoors to observe plant and bird species across the coast.

I grew up in the Bay Area. I graduated from Cal Poly last June with a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection with a concentration in Watershed Management and Hydrology and a minor in GIS. I had a great experience working as a GIS intern for the County of San Luis Obispo during undergrad. I am excited to continue my education in the Master’s program at Cal Poly, where I am working with Dr. Malama to research the ways in which pumping and evapotranspiration impact surface and groundwater levels in riparian ecosystems. In my spare time I enjoy nature, working out, and traveling!

I graduated from Cal Poly in 2022 with a Bachelor's in Agricultural Science, along with minors in Sustainable Agriculture and Crop Science. Since then, I’ve worked in sustainable viticulture in Napa and Sonoma, focusing on vineyard health scouting and harvest before working in wine production. I’m passionate about carbon sequestration research, and I’m thrilled to be working with Dr. Decock on a project focused on soil carbon sequestration in sustainably managed vineyards across California. My research involves testing vineyard soils to determine both the amount of carbon sequestered and where it is stored within different carbon pools. By analyzing carbon storage in these pools, I hope to better understand how sustainable vineyard practices can enhance carbon retention and contribute to long-term carbon storage.

I'm from San Diego and received my B.S. here at Cal Poly in Environmental Earth & Soil Sciences in the Spring of 2024. My research of interest is to assess the availability of phosphorus in organic fertilizers derived from waste products in California agricultural soils. I'm working with Dr. Decock on this project and I look forward to further developing my analytical writing and data analysis skills as a graduate student.

I’m from Napa, California, and I graduated from UC Davis in 2022 with a degree in Environmental Science, focusing on climate change. During my time at UC Davis, I worked at the Student Farm, where I discovered a passion for sustainable agriculture and learned how agriculture can play a key role in mitigating climate change. Currently, I’m working on my thesis under the guidance of Dr. Williams, focusing on plastic mulch use in conventional strawberry production in California. My research explores end-of-life management practices and policy strategies to address the environmental impacts of plastic mulch. Outside of academics, I love going to concerts, cooking, and spending time at the beach!