Meet the Staff

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My name is Alexis Aguilar, pronouns (He/Him/His)! I am a fourth year student studying Conservation and Resource Studies. I am very passionate and interested in understanding the intersections of environmental racism and justice. Growing up in the Central Valley, I have witnessed the first-hand effects marginalized communities endured as a cause of environmental racism. I am a huge advocate for immigrant / undocumented rights. Serving as ASUC Senator representing the undocumented community, while also being a board member on UC Berkeley's Undocumented Student Council has granted me a platform to uplift and represent my community at large! I am a huge lover of Dutch Bros and Chipotle, in my free time you'll catch me scrolling through Tik Tok :)!

Alexis Aguilar (he/him/his)

Wellness Associate
Allison is a third year studying Society & Environment and minoring in City Planning. She is interested in environmental policy and sustainable development and hopes to pursue these interests after graduating! She is currently a member of the Systemwide Pesticide Oversight Committee, which is a UC task force developing an integrated pest management program for all UC campuses. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going for long walks, and taking spontaneous trips with friends.

Allison Curtis (she/her/hers)

Co-Events and Space Associate
Andy is a fourth-year undergraduate pursuing a dual degree in Anthropology and Media Studies and a minor in Global Poverty and Practice. Working in digital marketing and communications, his passions lie in understanding how social change can be achieved through various avenues of media and virtual community building. In addition to his work as a designer, Andy works very intentionally on LGBTQ+ issues and diversity and inclusion initiatives while also maintaining outside roles as a photographer, tennis player, and dancer.

Andy Myers (he/him/his)

Graphic Designer
Ash was born and raised in southern California, but has been living in the Bay area for the past two years. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Education. During her undergraduate years, she enjoyed networking and building community with the people around her. Now that she has graduated, she plans to build and expand on these efforts. Ashly is greatly inspired by nature, friends, love, and passion and lets this fuel her desire to create and build better worlds

Ash Flores (she/her/hers)

College Corps Food Justice Coordinator
Ashley is a fourth year student majoring in Environmental Science, with a passion for wildlife and freshwater ecology. She is super excited to be leading the Renewable Energy Education program again this year. She loves being a part of the SERC community and all the amazing work everyone does. In her free time, you can find her taking care of all her plants and spending time in nature.

Ashley Cowell (she/her/hers)

Renewable Energy Education Associate
Brooke is a fourth-year student majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. She is interested in creating sustainable engineering practices and using hands-on methods to blend her passion for sustainability with her interest in materials engineering. In her free time, Brooke enjoys painting, spending time with her friends and family, and exploring new parts of Berkeley.

Brooke Chang (She/Her/Hers)

3D Printer Filament Recycling Team Lead
Cailin is going into her third year studying Molecular & Cell Biology and Psychology with quite a few minors in mind. Cailin is originally from the Sacramento Valley which is luckily surrounded by nature. She has been apart of the Zero Waste Membership Team since Spring 2020 and is so excited to work with the SERC community. Cailin is interested in all things zero waste, particularly fast fashion and plastic reduction. When she is not doing premed coursework, you can find her listening to crime podcasts, knitting, traveling, or volunteering with kids!

Cailin Born (she/her)
Candace (she/her/hers) is a first year majoring in Environmental Engineering Science. Growing up in Monterey she fell in love with the ocean early on, and has since developed a passion for marine conservation and sustainability as a whole. She’s currently exploring the intersection of her interests in marine ecology, renewable energy, and urban systems, potentially through the electrification of maritime transportation. In her free time she enjoys eating watermelon, cycling, hiking, and tide pooling, and hopes to soon pick up scuba diving!

Candace Wong (she/her)

E-Waste Associate
Gabby is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology. They are passionate about environmental justice, environmental microbiology, and the environmental health sciences. As the Environmental Justice Associate, she is tasked with creating resources related to environmental justice topics. Whenever they get a moment to do so, Gabby enjoys rewatching Hayao Miyazaki films for the millionth time, taking long walks, and finding new places to eat. She is also always open to book, podcast, and music recs, so be sure to send those along if you’ve got something good 🙂

Gabby Ambayec (she/they)

Environmental Justice Associate
My name is Gavin, and I am currently a 4th year obtaining dual degrees in Political Science and Conservation and Resource Studies. I am really interested in the ways that policy can be made to produce sweeping benefits for both the environment and people, and which was one of the major factors for why I wanted to join the SERC team. I love being outside by the beach or in the mountains with friends, as well as talking to people I bump into, just being out in nature and showing people how beautiful the natural world is. When I am not endlessly talking I love listening to music and going to festivals, as well as going to farmers markets and hiking with friends.

Gavin Healy (he/they)

Community Organizer
Grace is a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Environmental Sciences with a minor in Energy and Resources. She is extremely passionate about sustainability, zero waste, environmental politics, and corporate responsibility. In her first year at Cal, she helped work on the Single-Use Plastic Elimination Policy Roadmap and was a member of SERC’s Network Team. She is super excited to continue her zero waste work with SERC as the Green Team Associate. Outside of work, Grace also enjoys thrift shopping and walking around botanical gardens.

Grace Martin (she/her)

Green Team Associate
Jacob is a fourth year studying Society and Environment, Public Policy, and Forestry. He is interested in innovative wildfire policy and traditional land management in California, and hopes to work with frontline communities to combat the effects of climate change. Outside of school, he works as the Ecology Editor for the Leaflet, serves on the ASUC Judicial Council, and teaches a DeCal class on California Traditional Ecological Knowledge. He is from San Diego, CA and grew up surfing, kayaking, and free diving. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, cooking, and leatherworking.

Jacob Dadmun (he/him)

Co-Events and Space Associate
Jakob is a fourth-year majoring in Society & Environment and Political Science. He is fascinated by the intersections between environmental justice and politics and is grateful to be surrounded by passionate change-makers in the eco-community. In his free-time, you’ll find Jakob spending too much time on Twitter, reading (attempting to, at least), and singing along to Lady Gaga in the shower.

Jakob Evans (he/him)

Community Engagement Associate
Jed Terrence Lee (they/them), is a Taiwanese and Chinese-Filipino American activist and artist. As a recent graduate from UC Berkeley, Jed received a B.S in Society and Environment and two minors in Global Poverty & Practice and City Planning. Jed is now working for the Student Environmental Resource Center on campus as a Wellness and Environmental Justice Coordinator to continue pursuing environmental, climate, and development justice. Jed strongly believes that we can always look to nature to find inspiration for our interpersonal relationships, collective movements, and personal healing, and that there is always love, life and hope in this world. Jed loves hanging out, being outdoors, gardening, and exploring new food places! Jed also holds a major love for the ocean, sociology, writing, and hearing about other people’s stories.

Jed Terrence Lee(they/any)

Wellness and Environmental Justice Coordinator
Jessie is a third year studying Society and Environment at UC Berkeley. Jessie’s passion for environmentalism stems from her time at YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee canoeing on the Allegheny River, backpacking along the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and swimming in Deer Valley Lake. She grew up in the under-rated city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Go Steelers! Jessie has a wide array of work experience from being a Barista, Camp Counselor, Research Apprentice analyzing different countries’ climate policy structures, Federal Policy Intern at Carbon180, and TGIF Program Associate. She is extremely passionate about her sisterhood at AXO and loves to casework at The Suitcase Clinic. When she isn’t working or studying, you can probably spot Jessie at a concert, geo-caching around the city, hiking the Berkeley Firetrails, or watching That 70’s Show. Responsibilities: TGIF Support and Coordinator

Jessie McGinley (she/her/hers)

TGIF Program Associate
Josh is a fourth-year undergraduate studying environmental policy, law, and philosophy. This is their third year with the TGIF team, and they're very excited to continue supporting the many vital projects pushing Berkeley's environmental goals forward. Outside of work, they enjoy boulding, hiking, and cooking, and are currently writing a thesis on land distribution after the Mexican-American War.

Josh Kay (He/They)

TGIF Program Associate
Joshua is a third-year student majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Through his love for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, he developed a passion for sustainability. He is interested in blending materials science and sustainability to create eco-friendly solutions to engineering practices.

Joshua Lazovick (he/him/his)

3D Printer Filament Reclamation Project Lead
Kat is a rising sophomore majoring in Data Science with a minor in Geospatial Information Science & Technology. She is passionate about sustainability, zero waste, and environmental justice, and hopes to use data science to aid sustainable decision-making. During her first-year, she was a part of SERC's Zero Waste Team and Carbon Crew, and she is delighted to be continuing her involvement with SERC as the Green Team Associate by leading the Single Use Plastic Elimination Policy Roadmap and striving to advance zero waste efforts at Cal. In her free time, she enjoys going on long hikes, picnics, and doodling in her bullet journal!

Kat Nguyen (she/her)

Green Team Associate
Kaye Beja-Rubic (She/They) - Kaye, pronounced as the 11th letter of the alphabet, is a fourth-year Civil Engineering student whose career interests are in safety and sustainability in the construction industry. Civil engineering is the oldest and most vital field of engineering integrated so deeply into our society and connected to our basic rights, and she is passionate about the safety and sustainability of both the people and environment impacted by the construction industry. She plans on applying to graduate school to pursue a Master's in Engineering Project Management. As a low-income, immigrant first-generation Filipina woman, Kaye was always interested in social justice to support her family and her community through volunteer work since high school and has and has continued her efforts specifically through writing. She enjoys her hobbies of biking, soccer, trying out new foods, reading, writing, and drawing.

Kaye Beja-Rubic (she/they)

Impact Lead Associate
Hey, I am Khyati. I am an international student, an Indian born and brought up in the UAE. I am a rising junior studying Chemical engineering with a strong passion for energy and the environment. I am currently working on a few carbon capture and zero waste projects. I am also interested in the policy and advocacy of the Sustainable Development Goals. I am super excited to be part of this diverse community and am looking forward to helping Cal reach its green goals. I enjoy spending my spare time with family and friends doing anything and everything.

Khyati Garg (she/her/hers)

Carbon Neutrality Initiative Engagement Fellow
Kiana Kazemi is an environmental justice advocate and intersectional engineer passionate about democratizing access to environmental education and justice-based action. Outside of writing, organizing, and ideating for a just and joyful future for all, she loves to partner and build coalitions with others to create community spaces online and in person, mini versions of the future she hopes to see. Alongside her work at SERC, Kiana works at Intersectional Environmentalist as the head of community operations, and also co-founded Circularity, a multi-medium platform and soon to be app that bridges the gaps between technology and environmental justice education.

Kiana Kazemi (she/her)

Leaflet Editor-in-Chief
Lauren is a junior majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies, and her studies involve exploring intersectionalities of agriculture, labor, policy, gender, identity, and various forms of oppressions. At the moment, the name of her area of interest is "Linked Oppressions in Agro-food Systems and Categories of Difference" (quite a mouthful!). She's passionate about food systems, and she hopes to someday become a farmer. She is currently a Vermicomposting Co-Associate along with Cailin Born. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, spending quality time with friends, tutoring kids in Chinatown, and having her hands buried in soil at the Oxford Tract (come for open hours, it's lots of fun)!

Lauren Olivia Pong (she/her/hers)

Vermicomposting Co-Supervisor
"Hi! I'm Louis, a second-year Ecosystem Management and Forestry student on the professionally focused track. I've been a lover of all things outdoors since I was little, when I began spending weekends on hikes and campouts in the woods of New Jersey and Virginia. As I've gotten older, I've graduated to weeks-long treks through the Alaskan wilderness, the Sierra Nevadas, the Grand Canyon and many more! Since arriving at Cal, I’ve participated in both field- and lab-based environmental research, been Secretary for the Forestry Club, and served as a Sustainability Associate in ASUC. And now, I'm excited to be bringing that passion—as well as my experience with team leadership, environmental education, and community engagement—to the work I'll be doing at SERC! When I'm not reading at the top of the Campanile, you can probably find me climbing trees at the Faculty Glade, listening to strangers play the piano at Sproul, or watching sunset from the top of the Fire Trails."

Louis Cimmino

Academic & Professional Development Associate
"Megan (she/her) is a third-year international student from Taiwan studying Molecular Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Management and Forestry. She is passionate about sustainability, environmental justice, and educational equity. She is currently involved in the ASUC Office of Senator Ngo’s Policy Reform Department and Matriculate, a nationwide organization that provides free college advising to low-income, high-achieving high school students. In her spare time, Megan enjoys baking, watching anime, bouldering, and swimming."

Megan Wu (she/her/hers)

Development and Alumni Relations Associate
Satchi Thockchom (they/them) is a gender-bendy, queer, first generation American, and South Asian living on Ohlone land. They are a Society & Environment Major striving for food systems reform, and are probably plugging the Students of Color Environmental Collective. A budding pleasure activist, they center community, friendship, and joy in their journey toward a better world.

Satchi Thockchom (they/them)

Community Resilience Associate
Sharon was born and raised in San Diego county, where she began her educational endeavors at her local community college. She is a proud first generation college graduate and daughter of Lao refugees. She is an aspiring pleasure activist, environmental educator, and centers her work and vision with values of love and joy. Her passions lies among working with students and student activists on supporting their ideas and projects toward a more just world. Sharon served as the TGIF & Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator from 2014-2017, and has been serving as the SERC Director since March 2017. Prior to UC Berkeley, Sharon worked as the Sustainability Strategist for the Associated Students Inc. at San Francisco State University. At her leisure, she enjoys live music, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones (especially her cat, Lucille). She also serves as a board member for Food Empowerment Project, a vegan food justice organization. Sharon holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from San Francisco State University, is a certified Zero Waste Community Associate, and holds a certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from UC Berkeley Extension.

Sharon Daraphonhdeth (she/her)

SERC Director
Tamlyn is a fourth year student pursuing a dual degree in Environmental Sciences and Music, and minors in Global Public Health and Sustainable Design. Tamlyn has particular passions for waste reduction, environmental justice, and environmental health sciences, and hopes that work on the Zero Waste Team will increase awareness of environmental issues in her peers. Tamlyn uses any spare time to read, travel, attend concerts, and perform in a cappella and other music groups on campus.

Tamlyn Schafer (she/her/hers)

Vermicomposting Co-Supervisor
Taylor (she/her/hers) is a third-year studying Society & Environment and Global Studies. She’s passionate about solutions-oriented approaches in environmentalism, and is enthusiastic about supporting student projects that promote diversity and innovation in campus environmental spaces. Taylor began exploring her passion for environmentalism through journalism before entering UC Berkeley. Her current interests include global sustainable development, food systems, and agroecology. She has previous experience in the ASUC Department of Unsustainable Partnerships' Pour Out Pepsi campaign and in EthiCAL Apparel on the UC Berkeley campus. In her free time, she enjoys painting, exploring art museums, knitting and crochet, and gardening.

Taylor Atienza (she/her/hers)

TGIF Program Associate
Teresa is excited to be working as the The Green Initiative Fund Coordinator. Teresa was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She recently graduated UC Berkeley with a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy and a minor in Public Policy. As a student at Cal, she worked as a TGIF Program Associate for two years and is eager to continue her work supporting TGIF projects. Teresa is passionate about supporting students in actualizing their environmental projects and initiatives, especially in this political climate. In her free time, Teresa enjoys rock climbing, drinking boba, and cooking (mostly vegetables!)

Teresa Yu (she/her/hers)

TGIF & Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator
Tiffany (she/her) is a first year majoring in Society and Environment at UC Berkeley. Tiffany’s passion for environmental justice and sustainability stems from her time organizing in youth groups such as California Youth for Climate and her current work in the ASUC Eco-Office. Tiffany draws experience from a variety of areas-- from an Environmental Justice and Policy writer for the Leaflet, Student Caller for Ruffalo Noel Levitz and yogurt-swirler at Pinkberry. In the future, she would like to pursue a career in environmental law where she can advocate for both people and the environment. When she isn’t studying, you can catch Tiffany journaling, playing piano, or trying to expand her reading list of YA, sci-fi and mystery books.

Tiffany Mar (she/her)

TGIF Program Associate
Tina is a fourth year, studying Molecular Environmental Biology, Psychology and Math. She is passionate about marine and wildlife conservation and sustainability. She has been a part of SERC since Fall 2019 and is super excited to help envision SERC’s new Outdoor Education program! In her free time, she enjoys hiking, volunteering, and hanging out with friends and family.

Tina Li (she/her)

Academic & Professional Development Associate
Ty is a third year Conservation and Resource Studies major studying Environmental Policy with a focus on agriculture. They’ve been involved with the Berkeley Student Cooperative as Sustainability Coordinator and with the Berkeley Student Food Collective as Data Democratization Associate. They are passionate about Queering our idea of nature and creating a world that is interconnected and intersectional. In their free time, they enjoy smelling every flower possible, hiking, and playing music with friends.

Ty Shelton (they/them)

Resource and Operations Associate
Former Communications Director of Thrive Dance Co. and Design for Garb, sustainable fashion blog. I spend my free time learning Korean and painting oil commission works. Yo puedo hablar español tambien. I am currently finishing my last year in Urban Studies and Sustainable Environmental Design. Hoping to integrate myself on topics related to resiliency for the future.

Ulyses Mendoza (he/him)

Social Marketing Associate
Varsha is a senior majoring in data science and society and environment, exploring the intersections of environmental justice and technology. She has been involved in a number of campus environmental spaces, including student-run, facilities operations, and administrative organizations. She is passionate about environmental justice through her invovlement in SCEC (the Students of Color Environmental Collective) and hopes to provide resources and set up institutional frameworks for underrepresented communities in the environmental field through SERC. In her free time, she enjoys walking around Berkeley, reading, and watching movies on 2x speed.

Varsha Madapoosi (she/her/hers)

Community Resilience Associate
Victoria is a rising junior studying Environmental Economics and Policy and Sustainable Environmental Design. Since coming to Berkeley, Victoria has had a chance to explore and expand her interest in environmental justice and sustainability. She has recently been working as a designer on the THIMBY 3.0 project with Sustainable Housing at Cal. She hopes to make meaningful contributions to solving the climate crisis and moving the environmental justice movement forward. In addition to fighting climate change, she enjoys coffee, painting, music, and yoga. Responsibilities: Plastics Recycling & Research

Victoria Ng (she/her)

Plastics Recycling & Research Associate

SERC Staff Alumni & Founders

2021-2022 SERC Team:

Andy Myers, Ashley Cowell, Brooke Chang, Candace Wong, Gabrielle Ambayec, Jed Lee, Jessie McGinley, Joshua Kay, Kiana Kazemi, Sharon Daraphonhdeth, Tamlyn Schafer, Teresa Yu, Tina Li, Jakob Evans, Grace Martin, Jacob Dadmun, Allison Curtis, Gavin Healy, Satchi Thockchom, Ulyses Mendoza, Cailin Born, Kaye Beja-Rubic, Khyati Garg, Tiffany Mar, Taylor Atienza, Megan Wu, Alexis Aguilar

2020-2021 SERC Team:

Andy Myers, Ashley Cowell, Brooke Chang, Caitlin Cotter, Elizabeth Reyes, Gabrielle Ambayec, Jed Lee, Jesica Sutandi, Jessie McGinley, Josh Kay, Kasia Baranek, Kiana Kazemi, Maya Roma, Michelle Hernandez, Naseem Salim, Sabina Mahavni, Samy Long, Sarah Xu, Sharon Daraphonhdeth, Sion Calabretta, Tamlyn Schafer, Teresa Yu, Tess Gauthier, Tina Li, Victoria Ng

2019-2020 SERC Team:

Serena Patel, Serena Patel, Jenny Chiu, Colette Cosyn, Shirley Sun, Dante Gonzales, Melissa Jaffe, Lauren Irie, Rebecca Harcourt, Michelle Hernandez, Ashley Cowell, Angelica Santos, Jacqueline Tooley, Sarah Xu, Samantha Long, Jesica Sutandi, Gabrielle Ambayex, Elizabeth Reyes, Jessie Mcginley, Elizabeth Rozmarynowska, Paloma Ledesma, Teresa Yu, Sabina Mahavni, Nonnie Coelho, Tamlyn Schafer, Tess Gauthier, Celine Yang, Courtney McGuire & Sara Amiri

2019 Fall Team

Courtney McGuire & Sara Amiri

2018-2019 SERC Team

Alejandra Marquez, Andrea Luna,Andrew Chow, April You, Claire Parkinson, Colette Cosyn, Courtney McGuire, Dante Gonzales, Elizabeth Reyes, Jed Lee, Jenny Chiu, Jenny Rempert, Jessica Mcginley, Jun Bin, Lauren Irie, Madeline Tucker, Maggie Li, Melissa Jaffe, Michelle Hernandez, Nils Jepson, Rebecca Harcourt, Sara Amiri, Scott Silva, Serena Patel, Shirley Sun, Teresa Yu, Valerie Yong, Victoria Bartoszewicz, Yu-Shien Ni, Zahira Chaudhry

2017-2018 SERC Team

Amanina Shofry, Andrea Luna, Anna Michel, Anna Whitney, Anna Yip, Annakaren Ramirez, April You, Aubrey Hills, Claire Parkinson, Colette Cosyn, Courtney McGuire, Echo Sun, Jed Lee, Jenny Chiu, Jivna Punjavi, Kathleen McCully, Kristy Drutman, Isaias Hernandez, Nicole Panditi, Nonnie Coelho, Madeline Greene, Madeline Tucker, Maggie Li, Scott Silva, Sebastian Jintra-Cotilla, Serena Patel, Steven Chan, Tony Hall, Valerie Yong, Yu-Shien Ni

SERC Staff Alumni & Founders

2021-2022 SERC Team:

2020-2021 SERC Team:

2019-2020 SERC Team:

2019 Fall Team

2018-2019 SERC Team

2017-2018 SERC Team

2016-2017 SERC Team

2015-2016 SERC Team

2014-2015 SERC Team

2013-2014 SERC Team

2012-2013 SERC Team

SERC Director (2013-2017)

SERC Founders 2012

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