Louis Stokes Alliance of Minority Participation Program
Scholar Cohort 3
Abby Algarin
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year: 2025
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Research Interest: Conservation/Forestry
Fun Fact: I've been on TV twice.
Alex Bautista
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year: 2027
Hometown: Houston, TX
Research Interest: Climate change impacts on carbon sequestration in woodland forests.
Fun Fact: I'm colorblind and can't see the color green.
Alexandra Beckford
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Chemistry Engineering
Expected graduation year: 2027
Hometown: Ossining, Ny
Research Interest: How to create biodegradable plastics and synthetic materials.
Fun Fact: Did you know that during floods or long periods of rain ant colonies can
link their bodies together to form large floating rafts in order to survive?
Ava Wiggins
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Aquatic and Fisheries Science
Expected graduation year: 2026
Hometown: Queens, NY
Research Interest: I'm interested in studying ocean conservation and ways to protect our keystone marine
species whilst also nurturing the relationship between humans and ocean.
Fun Fact: I was able to intern with the NY Aquarium for one year and helped connect NYC public
schools with lessons and games on ocean conservation.
Barbara Hernandez
Pronouns She/Her
Major Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Bronx, NY
Research Interest Ecosystem management as well as exotic species biology and control.
Fun Fact I enjoy swimming and exploring.
Brielle Thomas
Pronouns She/They
Major Environmental Biology
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Sunderland, MA
Research Interest Plant ecology with an emphasis on invasive species.
Fun Fact I'm a fiber artist!
Conare Lucas
Pronouns He/Him
Major Wildlife Science
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Far Rockaway, NY
Research Interest Zoology
Fun Fact I like to play video games.
Dan Vera
Pronouns He/Him
Major Sustainable Energy Management
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Mamaroneck, NY
Research Interest The disproportionate social and psychological effects of climate change on marginalized
communities.
Fun Fact I speak 3 languages! I’m originally from Ecuador! And I breed seahorses!
Faith Wells
Pronouns She/Her
Major Environmental Science
Expected graduation year 2025
Hometown Missoula, MT
Research Interest Improving connection of Indigenous and Western STEM pedagogies in relation to energy
transition.
Fun Fact I've spent more time in a whitewater raft than I've spent on the East Coast.
Fatu Bakaar
Pronouns She/Her
Major Construction Management Engineering
Expected graduation year 2025
Hometown Utica, NY
Research Interest Not sure yet!
Fun Fact I speak two languages.
Jesse McMahon
Pronouns They/Them
Major Environmental Science
Expected graduation year 2026
Hometown Sag Harbor, NY
Research Interest Marine Life
Fun Fact I'm a scuba diver!
JJ Johnson
Pronouns He/Him
Major Wildlife Science
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Tulsa, OK
Research Interest Animals in the wild.
Fun Fact I am very funny and a kind person.
Joshua Rogers
Pronouns He/Him
Major Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Joplin, MO
Research Interest How indigenous knowledge can be used to protect the environment.
Fun Fact My favorite band is My Chemical Romance.
Lindsay Howe
Pronouns She/Her
Major Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Lincoln, NE
Research Interest Native plants and lawn alternatives as well as biodiversity in urban areas.
Fun Fact I have 6 birds
Noah Beakes
Pronouns He/Him
Major Environmental Science
Expected graduation year 2026
Hometown Oakland, MD
Research Interest Forest ecology as well as river and watershed conservation.
Fun Fact I am an avid skier and snowboarder.
Paul Hansen
Pronouns He/Him
Major Environmental Resources Engineering
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Cortland, NY
Research Interest Carbon Capture
Fun Fact I play on a professional paintball team.
Randy Alarcon-Aquino
Pronouns He/Him
Major Sustainable Energy Management
Expected graduation year 2025
Hometown Poughkeepsie, NY
Research Interest I would like to work on solar panels, hydropower, and sustainable flooring.
Fun Fact I tend to speak a lot and I like to play basketball.
Rayven Velez
Pronouns She/Her
Major Sustainable Energy Management
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Bronx, NY
Research Interest Micro plastics and their appearance in the environment.
Fun Fact I am left-handed!
Tee Atwater
Pronouns They/them
Major Conservation Biology
Expected graduation year 2027
Hometown Highland Park, NJ
Research Interest Conservation Biology
Fun Fact I love strawberry ice cream.