Chloe Belinsky (she/her) is a recent graduate from UCLA (‘23) in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Engineering. Although born and raised in LA, she currently works for CDFW at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in the Monterey Bay, and especially enjoys getting to partake in marine science research, education, and outreach projects as part of her work there. She was motivated to apply for the CDLS Climate Resilience Fellowship because she hopes to use her current position and knowledge to connect with others in her community, as well as with like-minded peers in the same field. With this, she is hoping to gain a stronger skillset for a career in marine science research before beginning her graduate studies, while simultaneously working towards inspiring diverse groups in pursuing climate action initiatives and careers in this field.

Michael Ng (he/him) is currently a graduate student at CSU Fullerton, pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering. As a former educator, he has a passion for science education and environmental advocacy. Michael’s journey began in the classroom, where he witnessed the power of education and its capacity to inspire change. He saw how community-based science drives real-world impact with King/Drew’s Community Inquiry Project. With environmental justice at the core, his current interests include regenerative agriculture, sustainable farming, and bioremediation.

Esmeralda Zambrano Bernardi (she/they) is focusing her studies in anatomical sciences and environmental studies. Born and partly raised in Los Angeles, Esmeralda has embraced her multicultural background by living in Scotland and Mexico, significantly broadening her academic and professional horizons.

Esmeralda began her advocacy journey with GUTS UK and CURE EB, helping raise funds, participating in organizational events, and giving platforms to individuals who wish to share their journeys and stories. Keen on advocacy and eager to learn more, Esmeralda enrolled in a community college in Los Angeles, where she became a fellow researcher within the UCLA/ELAC SeaGrant Pathways into Inclusive Ocean Research Training (now PIER) program. In this role, she has had the privilege of collaborating with peer members, graduate students, and faculty members. She has participated in various fieldwork and community initiatives like California Coastal Cleanup, Heal the Bay MPA Watch, vessel-related research, and LA Surfrider.

In her spare time, Esmeralda enjoys the physical challenge of rugby, relishing the thrill of both tackling and being tackled. She likes to spend her time outdoors hiking with her dog, trying different donuts, playing video games, and building LEGO projects.

Esmeralda’s motivation stems from witnessing systemic inequities that impact underprivileged communities and minorities in the United States. While her research interests lie at the intersection of medical sciences, healthcare, and environmental science, Esmeralda holds social advocacy close to her heart. She aims to use her platform in the program to gain deeper insights, build community, contribute to research, and broaden inclusivity and accessibility.

Qian He is a second-year PhD student at UCLA, currently researching physical geography with a focus on wildfire and vegetation. Qian’s passion for science stems from her deep appreciation for nature, which she believes is both beautiful and profound, making it worth understanding and exploring.

Kristen Howard (she/her) is from Memphis, Tennessee and currently based in Northridge, California. She is a third year Biology master’s student at California State University, Northridge in Casey terHorst’s lab. 

Kristen’s research focuses on the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes, particularly how evolution can influence ecological interactions like predation and competition. She studies how abiotic factors, especially temperature, affect these processes. To explore these dynamics, she uses naturally occurring protozoa species Tetrahymena and Colpoda within the inquiline community of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea as a model system. By investigating these dynamics, she aims to better understand how environmental factors impact species interactions and ecosystem functioning.

Kristen’s motivation to apply for the CDLS Fellowship is a combination of her personal experiences and professional goals. As a Black woman in science, she is deeply aware of the historical and ongoing exclusion of underrepresented groups in the field. This recognition shapes her approach to her career in science, driving her to foster spaces and create opportunities for these groups. The fellowship aligns with her aspirations to support and amplify the voices of women of color in science, ultimately leading to more inclusive and impactful research. By participating in this fellowship, she aims to contribute to the transformation of the scientific field, ensuring that it becomes more inclusive and representative of diverse perspectives.

Scott Jedrusiak (he/him/his) is based in the San Fernando Valley and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in geological science at California State University Northridge. He comes from an environmental science background so while his degree program is heavily based on geology, his interests, experience, and research lay more in surface water hydrology, hydrogeochemistry, and limnology. 

Scott’s research focuses on establishing a baseline for contaminant trends in California reservoirs. Many California reservoirs are impacted by elevated levels of mercury and PCBs and his research aims to capture how water column stratification can affect the behaviors of other trace metals in these reservoirs. Both Castaic Lake and Pyramid Lake are located in wildfire-prone areas, and this will also contribute to increased metal concentrations in those reservoirs.

Scott’s motivation to apply for the CDLS Fellowship was not only to apply his research to a wider coalition of others monitoring climate change but to also join those fostering an inclusive environment within the STEM fields.

Kira (she/they) is a PhD student in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department at UCLA. Their research interests focus on how evolutionary processes shape coral biomineralization mechanisms and responses to environmental change. In addition to their research, Kira is a co-founder of the Climate Justice Collective at UCLA, where she works to build community among graduate students and cultivate a cultural shift in academia that brings equity and justice to the center of climate work. Kira was motivated to apply for the Climate Resilience Fellowship because she is passionate about working with others to build a more green and just future, and believes that working with community partners is essential to this work.