Student in the Spotlight
Jennifer Valadez: Revitalizing unique ecosystems
Jennifer Valadez (Crown ’24, Environmental Science) dedicated her UC Santa Cruz undergraduate research to finding sustainable climate solutions through carbon sequestration in California’s coastal prairies. Focusing on restoration at Younger Lagoon Reserve, she examined how revitalizing these unique ecosystems can enhance their ability to store carbon and reduce atmospheric carbon emissions. By studying this often-overlooked grassland environment, Valadez’s work highlights the vital role ecosystem restoration can play in combating climate change.
Undergraduate Research Student Profiles
Eric Vetha: Advancing sustainable agriculture through robotics
Eric Vetha (Rachel Carson ’24, robotics engineering) used his research to improve soil moisture management with affordable backscatter tag technology. As part of the Earth Futures Institute’s Frontier Fellows Program, Vetha aims to reduce water waste, enhance crop yields, and address environmental challenges like climate change and food insecurity. His hands-on work bridges robotics with sustainability.
Gabriel Schiering: Leading sustainable solutions through composting and innovation
Gabriel Schiering (Oakes ’24, business management economics) led the Oakes Community Composting Project to create a sustainable, student-run model for organic waste management. With support from the Earth’s Future Institute’s Frontier Fellows Program, Schiering has gained valuable research experience and developed skills in sustainability and outreach.
Diana Alvarado: Using drones to protect marine life
Diana Alvarado (Merrill ’19, Marine Biology) used drone imaging at Año Nuevo Natural Reserve to develop a safer, non-invasive method for estimating elephant seal weights during her undergraduate research at UC Santa Cruz. Supported by the Costa Lab and various scholarships, Alvarado’s innovative work provides valuable data on marine life and ocean health while reducing disturbance to the seals. A first-generation university student, she hopes to inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to explore field research.
Hayley Coyle: Pioneering conservation research
Hayley Coyle (Crown ’23, Applied Mathematics) advanced climate-ready conservation planning through her undergraduate research as a Frontier Fellow at UC Santa Cruz. Her work uses machine learning and drone imagery to assess plant disease in drought-stressed California shrublands, aiming to inform innovative strategies for preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change. Coyle credits the program with equipping her with the tools and mentorship to excel in graduate studies and beyond.
Edmundo Perez: Steck Award recipient seeks to solve atomic structure of human astrovirus
Edmundo Perez’s fascination with viruses, sparked at Hartnell College, led to groundbreaking research on immune responses to astroviruses at UC Santa Cruz. His award-winning senior thesis, guided by Professor Rebecca DuBois, explored the virus’s structure and its interactions with protective antibodies, paving the way for future vaccine development. Perez’s drive and determination earned him the prestigious Steck Family Award and set an inspiring example for aspiring scientists.
Janely Cardena: Raising awareness of ‘deficit thinking’
Janely Cardenas (Merrill ’20, psychology and Latin American/Latinx studies) uses her own experiences to research deficit thinking—the assumption that challenges stem from innate weaknesses—within educational settings. At UC Santa Cruz, she worked in Professor Rebecca Covarrubias’s Culture and Achievement Collaborative, analyzing how tutors’ perceptions can impact first-generation students’ success. Drawing from her background, Cardenas advocates for evidence-based practices that address systemic biases, with a goal of improving academic support for underrepresented students.
Cole Seither: Agroforestry research explores carbon sequestration and community benefits”
Cole Seither (Rachel Carson ’24, agroecology) is researching agroforestry’s potential for carbon sequestration and community benefit in his senior thesis. Through the Frontier Fellows program, Seither gained hands-on research experience working with professors Karen Holl and Madeleine Fairbairn. His work has shaped his career goals in sustainability, particularly in agroforestry and its role in combating climate change.