Alyssa R. Frederick, Director and HostAlyssa is a marine biologist studying the impact of natural and human-caused changes on marine organisms and their environments, mostly in Oceania. Her PhD work at UC Irvine focuses on how disease and temperature stress affect abalone (a culturally, economically, and ecologically important group of marine snails). She is a National Geographic Explorer and a Fulbright alumna (both to New Zealand), and is passionate about creating spaces for diverse voices in science communication and science policy for addressing environmental and justice issues. She is a strong advocate for women in science and is dedicated to creating a more sustainable ocean.
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Evelyn Valdez-Ward, Associate Director & HostEvelyn Valdez-Ward is a third year Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD student studying the effects of climate change on the interactions between plants and their soil microbes. She is a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow and a Dreamers Scholar in Residence at UC Irvine. As a DACA recipient herself, she aims to strengthen the sciences with diverse educators and practitioners by mobilizing STEM fields to join her in advocating for a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers. Evelyn is an outspoken advocate for diversifying STEM, the founding president for the UCI SACNAS chapter, and created the hugely successful Reclaiming STEM SciComm Workshop with Lin Anh.
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Michelle J. Herrera, HostMichelle J. Herrera is a second year PhD student in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UC Irvine. She is studying how environmental changes impact diet specializations and their relationships to the physiology and ecology of prickleback fishes. As a woman of Hispanic and Filipino descent, her mission is to increase opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields and to help them achieve their own dreams. She is a passionate and dedicated science outreach educator, and advocates for diversity in STEM as the elected President of the UCI Associated Graduate Students. Michelle also co-founded the UCI Chapter of SACNAS.
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Linh Anh Cat, Host & Social Media ManagerLinh Anh Cat studies fungal disease dispersal under climate change as a Ph.D. Candidate at UC Irvine in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department. She is the Next Generation Public Policy Fellow with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and served on the American Association of University Women's National Student Advisory Board. Linh Anh created the Reclaiming STEM SciComm Workshop with Evelyn. Her goals are to work on climate change, agriculture, and human health issues while increasing diversity in science, especially for under-represented groups.
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