Student Stories

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The students in the Rausser College of Natural Resources are at the core of the College’s mission to “See the Bigger Picture. Make a Better World.” Here we highlight the stories of some of our outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who embody that motto in their research, community action, and daily lives. To nominate a student or group to be featured, use this submission form.

Student Spotlight: Aileen Lavelle

October 21, 2020

Fourth year undergraduate Aileen Lavelle has studied marine biology through various internship and educational opportunities.

Student Spotlight: Vera L. Chang

September 03, 2020

This edition of Student Spotlight features PhD candidate Vera Chang, who speaks about her journalism and food justice research.

Crafting the Message

June 25, 2020

In the latest issue of Breakthroughs magazine, Master of Development Practice alumnus Rishi Khalsa highlights his work in government communications.

Five Rausser College students recognized with CACS awards

May 12, 2020

The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability awards graduating students for environmental advocacy.

Dante holding a sign about SERC in front of a tree.

Student Spotlight: Dante Gonzales

April 02, 2020

Fourth-year undergraduate Dante Gonzales discusses carbon neutrality and environmental activism.

Three students recording an episode of the podcast

Master of Development Practice students launch podcast

February 25, 2020

The bi-monthly podcast, called Theory of Change, covers a wide range of development topics.

PhD candidate Ignacio Escalante shows the students tiny spiders during a lab tour

Freshman seminar creates a climate of inclusion

February 20, 2020

The course aims to empower young scientists and challenge stereotypes about researchers.

Student Spotlight: Ella Griffith

February 10, 2020

Fourth year Conservation and Resource Studies major Ella Griffith discusses food waste issues and her historical narratives project on Sierra Club's influential women.

100 Percent Empowerment, Zero Percent Guilt Trip

December 16, 2019

PMB PhD candidate Cat Adams founded the Unconscious Bias Project to help scientists tackle the biases lurking in our labs, lives, and classrooms.

Planting Doctorates: Inside the Plant Gene Expression Center

December 10, 2019

PMB graduate student Nanticha Lutt highlights the Plant Gene Expression Center (PGEC) and her fellow researchers in this photo essay.

Early climate modelers got global warming right, new report finds

December 04, 2019

In collaboration with researchers at MIT and NASA, ERG doctoral student Zeke Hausfather analyzes decades of climate change projections.

Thien Crisanto holds up a flask of algae

Student Spotlight: Thien Crisanto

November 19, 2019

In this month’s Student Spotlight, graduate student Thien Crisanto tells us about a non-linear path to science that cemented her love of mentoring and how her love of photosynthetic slugs led her to study algae.

Michael Spencer standing in front of a painted background.

Student Spotlight: Michael Spencer

October 16, 2019

The CNR Summer Internship grant allowed Spencer to complete an internship in India.

Sage Leiner standing in front of a building, laughing.

DeCal class: A guide to zero waste, building a sustainable future

September 16, 2019

Conservation and Resources Studies student Sage Lenier leads a DeCal on sustainability.

Student Spotlight: Neem Patel

September 12, 2019

In this month’s Student Spotlight, graduate student Neem Patel tells us about setting forest fires, the importance of community in science, and her hope to have a career in an environmentally-focused industry.