UC Berkeley environmental leaders offer stories and insights from working at the intersection of climate and politics.
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: Mindy Jewell Price
We spoke to the PhD candidate about her research, life in the Arctic, and how climate change is reshaping Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Keeping Wildlife in Focus
Fourth-year Vishal Subramanyan’s photos capture the wonder of wildlife and emphasize the importance of conservation.
Student Spotlight: Areidy Beltran-Peña
The recent graduate and climate change scientist spoke to us about her time at UC Berkeley and her future as a Stanford University postdoc.
UC’s queer climate scientists on making science as diverse as the natural world
ESPM grad student Jaye Mejía-Duwan and alum Isaias Hernandez are two of the many LGBTQ+ scientists affiliated with the UC.
Student Spotlight: Wanees Hannan
The graduating environmental science major will deliver the student address during Rausser College of Natural Resources' 2023 commencement.
Senior Rosie Ward named 2023 University Medal finalist
The graduating environmental economics and policy major was one of four finalists for UC Berkeley’s top undergraduate honor.
Four seniors named winners of the 2023 Babcock Prize in Environmental Science
Endowed as a tribute to longtime soil chemistry professor Kenneth Babcock, the prize recognizes high-achieving ESPM undergraduates.
Creating a new, youth-centered climate education
Alum Sage Lenier, BS '20 Conservation and Resource Studies, is working to bring the solutions-oriented curriculum to global youth.
Student Spotlight: Tanmayi Patharkar
Last summer, the third-year microbial biology major documented the first instance of an Aegean wall lizard preying on a venomous centipede.
Student Spotlight: Jade Marum
The third-year environmental science major and African American studies minor recounts her experience at the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference.
Monitoring biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains
ESPM professor Kip Will is leading a SPUR project to help monitor the effects of tree and underbrush removal on arthropod biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains.
Would you pay more for “COVID Safe” meat?
Two recent ARE undergraduates break down their research on consumer choice and willingness to pay during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Student Spotlight: Ashlyn Olah
Olah, a fourth-year Society and Environment major and Master of Forestry student, shares how the Dixie Fire inspired her to pursue a career in forestry.
Alexii Sigona named Local Hero by the Bay Nature Institute
Sigona, an ESPM graduate student and member of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, was recognized for his community involvement and research on Indigenous land access and collaborative stewardship
Rausser College students pack the crowd at live event with Kamala Harris
The vice president spoke on climate action at an event in San Francisco earlier this week.
Researching how climate impacts a deadly grapevine disease
The Mendocino Voice recently interviewed Andrea Brown and Monica Donegan, students who are studying Pierce’s Disease in the Almeida Lab.
Lucy Andrews on using her leadership roles to make a difference
Andrews, an ESPM PhD student and president of UC Berkeley's Graduate Student Assembly, hopes to battle climate change through environmental justice work and research that is interconnected to systems of violence and anti-Blackness.
A visit to the lab with PhD candidate Luis Valentin-Alvarado
Valentin-Alvarado breaks down his research for the Spanish-speaking community in this new video produced by Science at Cal
Understanding Plant Immune Systems Informs the Past and the Future
In a recent Wonderfest event, grad student Chandler Sutherland discusses plant and human immune systems, and how we can defend agricultural crops against disease.