Mellisha Stokes is a UCLA 2019 graduate student with a B.A. in sociology. She is involved in research on climate and oceanographic change as part of a student research team examining climate change impacts in the North Pacific. She is also involved in research regarding science identity and the social environments that allow this to take shape. Mellisha believes that there is enormous potential in those from both the social sciences and the green sciences to work together to solve social and environmental issues. She is active in discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mellisha is also a member of Tau Theta Pi!
Bryce Mitsunaga
Bryce Mitsunaga is a UCLA PhD student studying past climate change using a variety of geochemical techniques and archives, from soil minerals to fossilized bacterial colonies and snails. He graduated from Williams College in 2009 and has worked in environmental consulting. Bryce is active in science communication and outreach and enjoys traveling to new places for fieldwork, conferences, and collaborations. He is passionate about undergraduate education and is active at recruiting and mentoring undergraduates in research. He also recently received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship!
Fredrick Anyanwu
Fredrick Anyanwu is the Chief Development Officer at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), based in Washington DC where he leads its Development Team’s fundraising efforts to support CSIS policy research programs. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Report, CSIS is ranked the number one think tank in the United States across all fields, the “Top Defense and National Security Think Tank” in the world, and the 4th best think tank in the world overall.
Prior to joining CSIS in March 2021, Fredrick Anyanwu served as Chief Philanthropy Officer for Elton John AIDS Foundation where he helped achieve diversification of its revenue stream with focus on strengthening its Major Gifts program. As CPO, he led implementation of key infrastructure for Major Gifts while securing significant growth in annual revenue among major donor cohort (non-events). Fredrick formerly served as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Resource Development for CARE, where he led growth & expansion of CARE’s Resource Development efforts across the United States. Prior to serving as AVP at CARE, he was Executive Director for Major Gifts Fundraising, CARE – Western Region. CARE is the premiere international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and long-term international development programs in the most vulnerable communities across the globe.
Fredrick was born and raised in Nigeria. He graduated from Pepperdine University with a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on international relations and economics. Fredrick also holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Azusa Pacific University. He serves on the board of East Oakland Boxing Association, an organization focused on empowering inner-city youths in Oakland, California. He is also a member of The Pacific Council on International Policy.
Rick Ainsworth
Rick Ainsworth is the Director of the Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity (CEED) at UCLA since 1989. Mr. Ainsworth has written and served as Co-Principal Investigator for various National Science Foundation, Corporate and California State projects supporting several undergraduate, graduate, community college and pre-college STEM retention programs. He obtained a B.S. from the University of Southern California in Urban Planning/Administration in 1973 and completed Graduate work in the USC School of Law.
Heidy Contreras
Professor Heidy Contreras is an Assistant Professor in Biology at the University of La Verne. She is a leader in her field with a passion for undergraduate education, student mentoring, and entomological research. Her research program is geared to gaining a better understanding of how organisms will cope with changes in environmental humidity, a consequence of global warming.
Bio
Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
M. Sc.,California State University, San Bernardino
B.A., California State University, San Bernardino
Sylvia Hurtado
Michaela Brinkmeyer
Erin Coutts
Erin Coutts is the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC). Housed at UCLA, LARC is a network of local governments, regional agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, utilities, and academics working together to advance climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the LA region. Erin is focused on convening local and regional climate leaders to help them to maximize limited resources and determine the best courses of action for the region.
Before moving to LA in 2018, she worked at Tufts University, where she also completed a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. She helped the City of Cambridge earn a five-star rating through the STAR Communities comprehensive sustainability assessment. She is thrilled to continue working with cities to prepare the LA region for the impacts of climate change.
Jessica Arriens
I am interested in biodiversity and conservation research that has practical applications to global conservation policy. My thesis work uses genomic data and environmental modeling to explore genetic diversity in a tropical bird species, and then incorporate that research into a broad, effective conservation framework. In my previous life, I worked as a journalist, science teacher and media officer for the National Science Foundation.