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.
Peer Advising has ended for the 2024-2025 Academic Year and will resume at the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
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.
If you would like to hear more about the Peer Advising program, talk to your academic advisor for more information, or you can email PALs at pal@berkeley.edu and visit our Virtual Front Desk Zoom Room during the academic year!
2024-2025 PALs
(click name or photo for student bio)
Conservation & Resource Studies
Minor: Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST)
NATRES 76, URAP, Study Abroad (Singapore)
Hi! I'm Kiani, a junior majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies with a minor in GIST. I'm from La Cañada in the Los Angeles area, but originally lived in Shanghai, China. I've always been passionate about wildlife ecology, conservation biology, and sustainability, and will be concentrating in that direction for my Area of Interest! I'm part of Cal Habitat for Humanity and the women's ultimate frisbee team, and am currently learning Dutch. I've also been involved in URAP (MVZ Specimen Prep + lizard work), summer study abroad (Biodiversity in Singapore), and was recently part of a marine bio REU project in the Friday Harbor Labs. I love traveling, cooking, my cat Felix, binging TV shows, exploring cafes/ restaurants, and am interested in learning about many different fields. I know what it's like to have a lot of questions about academics and career/life paths, so please don't hesitate to reach out!
Environmental Sciences + Society & Environment + Public Health
SPUR, Latinx Research Program, NATRES 76
Hi everyone! My name is Anali Casarrubias. I am from Socal and a third-year Environmental Science major. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, spending time with friends, and binge-watching TV shows. On campus, I am a Resident Assistant. I am involved in public health research and have participated in SPUR. Feel free to reach out with any questions about any program on or outside of campus. I'm happy to speak with you and hope I can help!
Environmental Economics and Policy
Minor: Energy and Resources
Off-Campus Research, NATRES 76
Hey y'all! My name is Caroline, and I'm a second-year majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy from just outside Boston, Massachusetts. My interests are in renewable energy, especially offshore wind, and the interactions between environmental policy and local community priorities. I've interned with environmental nonprofits and think-tanks, as well as state legislature, and am currently working at the Lawrence Hall of Science up the hill. Come say hi!
I'm always happy to talk about sustainability writing and education, policy research, life as a out-of-stater and former IB student, and interacting with state and local government. On the just for fun side, I love museums, LEGO, thrift stores, and finding the best Berkeley coffee substitutes for Dunkin Donuts. Happy to be working with the PALs this year!
Society & Environment
Minors: Philosophy, Slavic Language and Culture
SURG (Research)
Hi everyone! My name is Myroslava, and I am a second-year majoring in Society & Environment with plans to pursue graduate studies in law and/or policy. I have lived in the Berkeley area almost my entire life and am so happy to be going to college locally! I am really interested in topics related to climate change mitigation and the interconnectedness of environmental issues. On campus, I am involved in a number of student organizations such as the SDG Undergraduate Research Group and the Grants and Scholarships Foundation. In my free time, I enjoy trying various cafes and boba shops, watching documentaries, and hiking around the area. If you have any questions or want advice, please feel free to reach out and drop by. I am looking forward to meeting you all and am excited to help you along your journey here at UC Berkeley!
Microbial Biology
URAP, Off-Campus Research, RCNR Honors Program, NATRES 76
Hi! My name is Sabrina and I'm a fourth year from the Bay Area majoring in Microbial Biology. On campus I'm involved with the Blood Pressure Project, teaching piano with The Music Connection, and am a member of the pre-health sorority Kappa Gamma Delta. I also have experience with gut microbiome, infectious disease, and HIV clinical research, and have gone through the URAP and SPUR application process if you have any questions about finding research! During my time at Berkeley, I have explored both the PhD and pre-med paths so feel free to ask me questions about either pursuing graduate school or a career in healthcare. In my free time I love hiking, reading, going out in San Francisco, and listening to Taylor Swift. If there's anything I can help you with please don't hesitate to reach out!
Environmental Sciences
Minor: German Studies
SPUR, NATRES 76, Study Abroad (New Zealand)
Hi everyone! My name is Leilani, and I'm a senior majoring in Environmental Sciences and minoring in German Studies. I'm interested in ecology and plant physiology and hope to further study plant response to climate change scenarios. I'm originally from the Bay Area and love exploring California's beaches and forests. In my free time, you can find me tending to my garden, playing badminton and volleyball (badly), and FaceTiming my pet rabbit at home. I am so excited to be a PAL this year and get the chance to connect with fellow CNR students!
Nutritional Sciences - Physiology & Metabolism
Health Worker, Internship, Study Abroad (Greece)
Hi everyone! My name is Emily, and I’m a fourth-year on the pre-medicine track majoring in Nutritional Sciences with an emphasis on Physiology and Metabolism. This will be my second year working as PAL for RCNR, and I'm excited to be taking on the role of a Senior Peer Advising Leader! I’m from Southern California and am particularly passionate about topics including health education, increasing healthcare accessibility, and mental health. Here on campus, I’m involved in the American Red Cross at Cal, the Health Worker Program, and a social sorority. I’ve had professional experiences working as a first-aid responder, physical therapy aide, tutor, and clinical affairs intern at a remote mental health startup. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, having picnics on the glade, going to the beach, trying out new restaurants and boba shops, traveling, watching movies, and baking. Don’t hesitate to reach out about anything at all, whether it's school related or not! I’m more than happy to help, and I look forward to meeting you soon!
Hi everyone! My name is Jade, and I am a second year studying Environmental Science. Some topics I’m interested in are microbial ecology, environmental genomics, and Indigenous land stewardship. Outside of peer advising, I am currently involved in on-campus consulting and working for the Student Environmental Resource Center, and in the past I have been involved in organizations such as HASDA, the UC Green New Deal, the Zero Waste Lab, and I also played on Cal’s women’s rugby team! Outside of school and work, you can usually find me lifting at RSF, doing crochet or embroidery on the glade, or reading at Strada. I have personal experience with switching majors and planning for study abroad, so if you need any advising through academics or student life here at Cal, I’m more than happy to help!
Hi!! My name is Riley and I am a junior majoring in Nutritional Sciences, specializing in Physiology and Metabolism. I am from Southern California and absolutely love soaking up the sun at the beach. I also love to surf, go to the gym, dance, try different food recipes, spend time with family and friends, play with my dog, and try new adventures. On campus, I intern for CAL Sports Nutrition. I work alongside the Registered Dietitians on game days, allowing me to grow my knowledge in what food, snacks, meals, and nutrients are best able to fuel our golden bear athletes!! During the summer, I continue my love for my major by interning for USC Sports Nutrition. I aspire to become a Registered Dietitian and work for an NFL team. Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything at all!! From recommendations on campus resources, must try dinner spots, questions on class schedules and AC Transit/public transportation, I got your back. I am here to support you through your journey at Berkeley.
Ecosystems Management & Forestry + Genetics & Plant Biology
UC Forestry Camp, SPUR, RCNR Honors Program, NSF REU Program
Hi everyone! My name is Sanya, and I'm a junior double-majoring in Genetics & Plant Biology and Ecosystem Management & Forestry. I'm originally from San Diego and love spending time outdoors, cooking, and making art. I attended Forestry Camp in 2023, and have been involved in both faculty-initiated SPUR and independent research, as well as an NSF REU program (PGRP@BTI). I love talking about my experiences at camp and conducting research, so don't hesitate to reach out! Outside of Peer Advising, you'll probably find me throwing axes for Cal Logging Sports, paddleboarding at the Berkeley Marina, or hiking around Tilden. I'm really passionate about sustainability, resource management, and accessibility in the outdoors! Feel free to come find me with any questions or concerns you might have, or even just to talk. I really look forward to meeting you all!
Nutritional Sciences - Physiology & Metabolism
Off-Campus Research, Pre-Med
Hi everyone! I’m Varsha Sivanath, a second-year pre-med student majoring in Nutrition Sciences with a focus on Physiology & Metabolism. I’m particularly fascinated by the intersections of diet, nutrition access, and health. Outside school, I intern with a Berkeley nonprofit, studying the impact of SNAP/EBT access on community health. This summer, I was a research intern at a gastrointestinal lab at Stanford. I’m also passionate about mental health and have been involved in the ASUC Mental Health Commission and other wellness RSOs.
This year, I’m looking forward to facilitating my first DeCal, joining on-campus research, and maybe Oski’s media team?? In my free time, I enjoy crafting (crocheting, painting, upcycling, let me know if you can teach me anything!), hiking, and exploring Berkeley’s food scene (especially dessert places, I have a really big sweet tooth). I’m excited to be a PAL this year and meet you all!!
Molecular Environmental Biology
Minor: African American Studies
URAP, Pre-Med, STEER (Research)
Hi everyone! My name is Da’shaun, and I’m a fourth-year premed studying Molecular Environmental Biology with a minor in African American Studies. I’m from Sacramento, and in my free time I love to hang out with friends, cook, watch movies of every genre, and talk about literally everything. Outside of peer advising, I’m involved in community service, a paleobiology lab, and mitochondria research. I’ve also had experience with research programs such as URAP and STEER, so feel free to stop by and chat about these opportunities! I’m particularly interested in environmental mutagens and the intersections of the environment, race, gender, and health. I was able to recently explore these interests a bit more this past summer while working on a public health project that looked at factory workers and their exposures to harmful chemicals.
Hi Everyone! My name is Aidan and I am so excited to be a PAL for this upcoming year! Currently, I am a Senior studying Conservation and Resource Studies. Within my major, I study areas of interest in law, food systems, education, and energy systems. This is why I love the CRS major! I also intend to apply to law school this Fall and am navigating the whole process from LSAT prep to admissions counseling. If you ever are want to discuss that, reach out! It can be very daunting.
Outside of academics, I love to cross train (run, swim, lift) and learn new languages. As of now, I am learning French so we shall see how that fares through the academic year haha. I also sit on the Board of the Berkeley Student Food Collective where I am in charge of sourcing products for the store. Much of my work there overlaps with the passion I have for sustainable and equitable access to food. If you'd ever want to learn more about the Collective feel free to ask! Additionally, I am an active member of the U.C. Rally Committee. This RSO helps balance the academic rigor with a fun, spirited environment that keeps the traditions of the University alive.
I am also a Transfer student and understand the challenges that come with trying to navigate such a large university and all its silly quirks. Please feel to reach out if you have any questions regarding anything I've mentioned above or literally anything! I cannot wait to meet you all. Go Bears!