About the Rausser College of Natural Resources Undergraduate Peer Advising (PAL) Program
The Peer Advising Leadership (PAL) Program of Rausser College strives to offer personal insights and experiences to current & prospective RCNR students. Our PALs are trained in understanding & communicating our Major requirements, College policies, research opportunities, and more! The goal of these students is to offer peer advising to everyone - ranging from a first-semester Berkeley freshman to a last-semester senior!
PALs also engage with prospective, newly-admitted, and current students at yield events, enrichment programs, Rausser College tours, Cal Day, Commencement, and more! Their work is integral to the success of their fellow undergraduates and to the formation of our friendly Rausser College community.
If you wish to contact a peer advisor send them an email or connect via Zoom.
Fall 2022 office hours will take place both in 260 Mulford Hall and in our Virtual Front Desk.
Not sure if your question can be answered by a PAL? Check out this chart!
Want to find out more about certain courses? Click here for a list of classes the PALs have taken!
You can also follow us on Rausser College of Natural Resources Advising Instagram and Facebook pages.
If you would like to hear more about the Peer Advising program, you can email PALs at pal@berkeley.edu, visit our Virtual Front Desk Zoom Room, or talk to your academic advisor for more information!
2022-2023 PALs
(click name or photo for student bio)
Hello! I am a 5th year from San Diego, California graduating this semester with a double major in Molecular Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Management & Forestry. My academic interests revolve around ecology but I am especially interested in interdisciplinary natural resource management strategies that support biodiversity conservation and community engagement. I will also be finishing a minor in Geospatial Information Science & Technology to use mapping and remote sensing tools for ecological research and conservation. As an outdoor enthusiast, I enjoy going on spontaneous hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping trips. On campus, I have been involved in the Students of Color Environmental Collective, The Wildlife Society, a capella, work-study, ResLife, and various SPUR research projects. I especially enjoy field biology and have studied mussels in Bodega Bay, sea lions in Santa Cruz, birds in Mo'orea, and arctic ecology in Alaska! I'm currently finishing up my honors thesis with the Middleton Lab on biodiversity in the Sierra de Manantlán in Jalisco, México. Come chat with me about class suggestions/help, research opportunities in/outside of Berkeley, applying to summer internships/jobs, or just to connect!
Hey everyone! My name is Anne, and I’m a senior studying Society & Environment and Political Science. I’ve spent (almost) my whole life in NorCal, growing up around two major agricultural towns--Dixon and Davis. In my free time, I love to read novels about unhinged women, go on hikes around the Bay Area, and play (very casual) soccer. At Cal, I volunteer with the Food Pantry, work in the depths of Main Stacks, and serve as the Vice President of Berkeley’s Political Science Honors Society. I’m especially interested in the tension between political life and the environment and have plenty of recommendations for classes/books/podcasts if you’re also interested in this. I also spent this summer in Stockholm, where I studied Swedish Welfare Capitalism and interned with a start-up that financed farmers on their transition to sustainable agriculture. So please, if you want to chat about classes, studying abroad, book recommendations, or just want to hang out, let me know! :)
Hi all! My name is Div Buccieri and I'm a fourth year from Thousand Oaks, CA, majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies with an intended Italian Studies minor. I love to read, go to the beach, hike, and learn new things. I keep a film camera on me wherever I go because you never know when you're living in the good times until it turns into a memory (pro tip: nature is extremely photogenic). I channel my passion for environmental justice and awareness into activism. I have an extensive background in journalism, including writing for the Daily Cal freshman year, and I currently play baritone horn in Cal Band. I also attended Berkeley’s Summer Bridge program as part of the 2019 cohort. In the future, I hope to live abroad in Europe or New Zealand working for nature restoration projects and living sustainably in a farming community. Navigating classes and campus can be daunting - don’t be afraid to ask for help! Come by my office hours or email me if you want to talk about class schedules, the environment, photography, or just life in general :)!
Hello! My name is Abbii and I’m from the East Bay Area! I am currently a fourth year majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology and minoring in Toxicology and Music. I really enjoy studying about public health, especially in regards to its connection to the environment. In my free time, I love creating music, photography, cooking and teaching! Stop by my office hours if you ever need advice regarding classes, RCNR, or just want to hang out and talk about music, cats or anything else! Super excited to meet you all :D!
Hi, my name is Shreya! I am a second year student majoring in Environmental Science and Geography with an intended minor in Data Science. I am born and raised in the Bay Area, so if you have any questions about the area, I'd be happy to help! At Cal, I am involved with the Students of Color Environmental Collective, SEED Program, and Biology Scholars Program. I am also a research intern at an algae lab on campus. In my free time, I love finding new restaurants, exploring the city, singing, binging shows, and reading! Please feel free to come by to ask any questions at all or to just chat :)
Hi everyone! I am a current fourth year student on the pre-medical track majoring in Environmental Science and minoring Toxicology! I am from the Bay Area and love spending time with animals, playing tennis, and working within various medical-related fields. At Cal, I am involved in SPUR, clubs such as the Sage Mentorship Program, teaching decals, and working with Cal Sports Medicine. I also work for Cal Athletics as well as in the disability center. If you have any questions about research, the pre-medical track, or even anything at all, I am more than happy to discuss that with you! I look forward to meeting you all!
Hello Everyone! My name is Nick Hassas, and I am Senior majoring in Microbial Biology (RCNR) and minoring in History (L&S). I have completed all of the Pre-Med requirements and will be applying to Medical School next cycle, and I'll be participating in the RCNR Honors Program for the 2022-2023 academic year for Prostate Cancer research at the UCI School of Medicine. So feel free to ask any questions about the prerequisites, research, or just the major/college! In addition to my academic interests, I enjoy weightlifting, soccer, and reading, so feel free to stop by office hours to talk about any interests or questions!
Rausser College Class of 2022
Hi everyone! I’m Rudy Hernandez, a second-year student studying Conservation and Resource Studies with an intended minor in Chicanx Studies. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles; Growing up in East LA sparked an interest for me to want to learn about how environmental racism influences the public health crises and sociological disadvantages low-income and communities of color face. Other than being a PAL, I am a brother of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., and I assist seniors from my old high school with college and financial aid applications. In my free time you can catch me taking the BART to different parts of the Bay Area, getting Peet’s coffee <3, or shopping. I'm a very open book, so if you have questions about navigating Berkeley, my experience at Cal so far, or just want to chat, I would be happy to!
Hi everyone! My name is Lesley and I'm from San Jose, California. I am a third-year on the pre-med track majoring in Nutritional Sciences - Physiology and Metabolism. I am involved in the California Health Professional's Student Alliance (CaHPSA), Cub Support, and Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE) on campus. Additionally, I work at the DNA Sequencing Facility and do Nutrition Science research. During my free time, I enjoy taking naps, spending time with friends, discovering new music, and watching Netflix. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about my involvements or anything about campus/life in general. I'm more than happy to speak with you and hope I can help!
Hi everyone! My name is Jack Kleiger and I am a third-year majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy. I was born and raised in Southern California in the San Fernando Valley and am interested in pursuing a career relating to public policy or environmental law. Some of my favorite hobbies include going to the beach, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. I definitely know how hard it can be to adjust to new places, let alone college, and I would love to help anyone out with this transition. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Hi everyone! My name is Shelby! I am a senior majoring in Society & Environment and minoring in Human Rights. I come from a tiny town called San Juan Bautista, CA, and can understand any nerves about moving to a city like Berkeley. In high school I created a nonprofit, Jr Ocean Guardians, which focuses on single-use plastic awareness and ocean educational material for schools. I also started a challenge called No Straw November that allowed me to work with corporations and organizations to eliminate non-medically required single-use plastic items from supply chains. In addition, I am National Geographic Young Explorer and love reading - please stop by and give me book suggestions! I look forward to meeting fellow Rausser students and hope to persuade some of you to take my favorite classes. I have also participated in SPUR and would be more than happy to answer any questions about it. Go Bears :)
Hey everyone! I'm Kalyan Sankar and I'm a rising senior in Microbial Biology with a minor in Data Science. I am also working at Lawrence Berkeley Lab in Earth and Environmental Sciences. My academic interests are mainly research and medical school in the future. Nature's designs are fascinating, and unlocking its secrets through research is something I love doing. I enjoy cooking as a creative outlet, and I also weightlift and bike in my free time. If you have any questions about research, your classes, or MB as a whole, let me know! I also like games and music so you can always come by for a quick chat as well.
Helloooo! I am a 4th year doubling in Conservation & Resource Studies and Ecosystem Management & Forestry, as well as minoring in Armenian Studies. I love the outdoors and am addicted to traveling. I am interested in working in the field with wildlife and hope to work with elephants in Kenya (or any countries in Africa really) at some point in my life. I am a mama to many plants as well as my cuddly cat, Juno. I am involved in a bunch of orgs/clubs on campus like ASA (Armenian Student Association), MENA-RRC (Middle Eastern North African Recruitment & Retention Center), and much more! As a first-gen, low-income student, I understand the struggles of navigating higher education and finding a community on campus, and I am more than happy to help anyone and offer advice. I am also very friendly and love meeting new people. I enjoy hearing about everyone's story so please don't hesitate to reach out! <3
Hi RCNR! My name is Josie Thomas and I'm a second year studying Environmental Economics and Policy. I was born and raised 20 minutes from Berkeley in the East Bay so I know the area well. I have tons of recommendations on where to eat, shop, or enjoy the local nature. I'm an avid traveler and I've been to 4/7 continents and always looking for travel buddies who are up for an adventure. Professionally, I have experience in regenerative agriculture, reforestation, marketing and recruitment. The pandemic has created limitations on connecting the Rausser community but I encourage you all to reach out and help us overcome the difficulties of isolation. You are welcome and safe here! I'm excited to meet you all!
Hi everyone! My name is Connor Tumelty and I’m a fourth year majoring in Genetics and Plant Biology and Classical Civilizations. I’m from Los Angeles and but have lived all over California. In my free time I like to read, see live music, and explore the Bay Area. I study plant epigenetics and gene regulation at the IGI and PGEC. I’ve participated in the SPUR, SURF, and URAP programs and completed an honors thesis last year, so if you have any questions about getting into research definitely reach out! Berkeley and Rausser specifically offer so many opportunities and I would be happy to help you navigate them. Looking forward to meeting y’all!
Hello there! I'm Matt and I'm a fourth year from San Mateo studying MEB and CRS. I'm super excited to be returning as a PAL this year and I'm looking forward to assisting the lovely CNR community with our office hours and community building events. I'm studying a combination of ecology, sustainability, plants, animals, and education so if any of those are interest you, I'd love to chat or even if your interests don't quite align. If you find joy in durian or snails, PLEASE come see me, would love to be your friend. Outside of Peer Advising, you can find me at VSA Lion Dance, Planty Social, and AMEBA for student orgs, and then out birding or foraging around the Bay. Mental health and wellness, SVSH advocacy and recovery and transitioning into college are things that I really care about and would love to have a conversation with you as well. If you ever need help with classes, research, resumes, and finding community, myself or other PALS are always happy to help! Good luck to everyone this school year and see you soon! :)
Hi there! My name is Angie and I am a senior studying Molecular Environmental Biology and Geography. I am from Santa Clarita, California, but have absolutely fell in love with the Bay Area since moving up here three years ago. I love all things plants, and I am currently interested in plant physiological ecology and stable isotope ecology. I love hiking, outrigger canoeing, and paddling on dragon boats in the free time that I have. On campus, I have been involved in the ASUC Eco-Office, the Berkeley Food Pantry, Work Study, Cal Dragon Boat, URAP, and the UC Natural Reserve System Field Science Fellowship. I am SUPER stoked about undergraduate research, so feel free to reach out any time with questions you may have about getting started! Come and chat with me to talk about some of my awesome experiences at Berkeley or just stop by to say hello :)
Health Worker
Read more about our Wellness Program for the Rausser College of Natural Resources here!
Hi everyone! I am Jessica, and I am RCNR's health worker for the 2022-2023 academic year. I am currently a sophomore studying Society and Environment. I am from Los Angeles, CA, and really love to hike, read, snowboard, and explore new things. At Cal, I am a kitchen intern at UC Berkeley Hillel and am involved in Sage Mentorship and a student leadership program. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you! Feel free to come to see me at the resource center on Thursdays from 2-3:30 pm or set up a time to meet with me:)