EPIC Cohorts
2025 Fellows
Alina Zhang - San Francisco Environment Department
Hi! I am is Alina Zhang ('27) and I'm majoring in Environmental Systems Engineering with an Urban concentration. I will be working with SF Environment this summer with their toxics and pollution team. I’m excited to engage with various stakeholders, dive deep into the communities, and explore the complexity behind keeping San Francisco clean, healthy, and sustainable. I'm passionate about urban sustainability across sectors, green resilient planning, and the transformative power of green spaces. Beyond my pursuit in sustainability, you can find me tending to my hydroponic avocado in my dorm, pulling lettuce at the O'Donohue farm, playing piccolo with the LSJUMB, or flaneuring around the Bay, soaking in its vibrant energy.
Amanda Campos - Earthworks
Amanda Campos (she/her) is a junior at Stanford University studying environmental and energy policy and justice. Born in the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she moved to the 20-million-people, skyscrapers-filled São Paulo when she was 3 years old and then to South Florida when she was 13. She is a climate justice organizer, a cloud lover, and would do anything for dragons to be real. Amanda will be working at Earthworks this summer as the International Mining Justice intern and cannot wait to learn more about international environmental justice advocacy. She dreams of going to law school to study environmental law and make Big Oil polluters pay.
Angela Li - World Wildlife Fund, Impact Investing
My name is Angela Li and I’m a freshman interested in the intersection of sustainability, political economy, and AI. I’m passionate about working with the innovations and economic forces that can advance solutions addressing climate change. This summer I’m excited to be working at the Impact Investing arm of the World Wildlife Fund to identify and evaluate early-stage startups with the potential to generate profound planetary benefits. I’ll be working remotely but based in the NJ/NYC region.
Anika Quon - World Wildlife Fund, Forests and Nature Based Solutions
Hi, I'm Anika! I'm a senior majoring in Earth Systems with a focus on conservation and ecology, and a minor in Data Science. This summer I will be working at WWF to support their Nature-based Solutions Origination Platform, and am excited to see how the intersection of my interests can help to address the triple threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health. In my free time, I love playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, and cooking.
Anne Larson - CA Ocean Protection Council
Hello! My name is Anne Larson, and I am a junior at Stanford University from Lake Tahoe, California. I am majoring in Human Biology with a concentration in environmental science, policy, and oceanography. This summer, I am thrilled to work with the California Ocean Protection Council, where I am excited to focus on advancing marine conservation and sustainability initiatives. I am particularly passionate about enhancing coastal and marine biodiversity, and working on marine protected areas. Outside of academics, I love spending time outdoors, skiing in the winter and SCUBA diving with sharks! I also work with Camp Kaleidoscope, a program dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering community for children whose parents have been affected by cancer.
Anushka Vijay - World Wildlife Fund, Green Climate Fund
Hi! My name is Anushka, and I am a junior from Bangalore, India and Manila, the Philippines. At Stanford, I am pursuing a major in Earth Systems and minors in Public Policy and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This summer, I am looking forward to working with WWF on the Green Climate Fund team. I am passionate about environmental justice and international conservation, and excited to support WWF in the development of innovative nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation across the globe. In my free time, you can find me hiking, gardening, practicing yoga, scrapbooking and reading!
Bailey Sellfors - Environmental Working Group, Government Affairs
Hi! I’m Bailey Sellfors, a senior majoring in Earth Systems with a focus on Human Environmental Systems. I’ll be staying at Stanford next year to pursue a coterminal Master of Arts in Earth Systems, concentrating on environmental communication. This summer, I’m thrilled to be joining the Environmental Working Group as a Government Affairs Fellow, where I’ll be working on environmental health policy and advocacy at their Washington, D.C. headquarters. My interests sit at the intersection of environmental justice, multimedia communication, and conservation science. Outside of academics, I’m passionate about public service, thrifting, and getting outside!
Ben Jonker - Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative
Hi, I’m Ben Jonker — a freshman currently undeclared with plans to potentially double major in Earth Systems and Economics. This summer, I’m interning with IOJI in Jakarta, where I’ll focus on policy work related to protecting small stakeholder and migrant fishers, promoting mangrove conservation, and enhancing maritime security in Indonesia’s EEZ. I’m passionate about advancing sustainable blue economies and am excited to contribute to IOJI’s innovative environmental policy work. In my free time, I love backpacking, cooking, and scuba diving.
Chloe Cheng - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
I'm Chloe Cheng ('25), Geophysics major and Interdisciplinary Arts minor. In the last few years at Stanford I've become interested in the ocean's evolving roles in the climate system. I have had the fortune to experience both teasing out results from open-access data and going out to sea to collect data first-hand. This summer I will be working with California's Water Board, pivoting to data analysis and availability for the freshwater resources so salient in the state I grew up in.
Elanna Mak - The Nature Conservancy, NatureVest
Hello! My name is Elanna, and I am a rising senior studying Data Science and Social Systems. Having partnered with organizations like CNN and Feeding Hong Kong to advocate for sustainable food and agriculture, I am passionate about finding ways data can support and advance climate solutions. This summer, I am incredibly excited to work on the NatureVest team at The Nature Conservancy. Through this fellowship, I would love to see how my current design and analysis skills can translate to making a difference – from building a detailed evaluation plan to developing data collection mechanisms that propel insights – that deepen The Nature Conservancy’s impact and propel its mission to “conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” Previously, I was a project-lead for Stanford Sustainable Investment Group and am a current Living Lab Fellow under Stanford Business Affairs. Outside of climate and environmental justice, I play viola for Stanford Symphony Orchestra, was a programming chair for Viennese Ball 2024, and am a tour guide on campus! My latest obsession is the food ranking app Beli.
Evan Ludington - Resources for the Future
My name is Evan and I'm a rising senior studying History and minoring in Earth Systems. This summer, I'll be interning with Resources For the Future in Washington, DC, focusing on analyzing community hazard mitigation plans and insurance incentives related to wildfires. I'm originally from San Diego. In my free time, I like to play jazz piano, hike, and read memoirs.
Hope Adhanom-Shipman - Environmental Working Group, Environmental Health
Hi! My name is Hope Adhanom-Shipman, and I’m a senior majoring in Earth Systems with a minor in Data Science. This summer, I’ll be working at the Environmental Working Group as an Environmental Health Fellow. I’m interested in the intersection of human and environmental health, and I’m especially passionate about addressing the adverse health impacts of unsustainable agricultural practices. I also care deeply about environmental justice and am committed to ensuring that all communities, especially those disproportionately affected by environmental hazards, have access to clean air, safe water, and healthy living conditions. Outside of academics, I love spending time in nature, playing rugby, and working at the Stanford Educational Farm.
Katie Baik - CA State Lands Commission
Katie Baik is a senior at Stanford University pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and a coterminal M.A. in Communication. This summer, she will be working at the California State Lands Commission, where she will support efforts to strengthen legislation related to environmental justice and the sustainable management of California’s natural resources. She is a research assistant with Stanford's Deliberative Democracy Lab; outside of academics, she is currently serving as the Executive Director of Cardinal Ballet Company and is dedicated to mentorship in the arts as a dance choreographer and teacher. She is passionate about democratic reform, civic engagement, the intersection of media and democracy, and environmental justice.
Kevin Song - Strategic Growth Council/CA Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Hi! My name is Kevin ('25), and I'm studying CS and Music. I'm interested in how data and software tools can be harnessed to energize climate innovation. I’m excited to work with the California Strategic Growth Council / Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation this summer to address environmental and natural resource challenges. In my free time, I like to write and play the cello.
Lena Hoover - Environmental Working Group, Government Affairs
Hi, my name is Lena! I'm a sophomore studying Earth Systems on the Human Environmental Systems track and I'm from New Orleans. I'm working at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) this summer on their government affairs team in DC. I am very interested in environmental policy and figuring out we can drive a just energy transition. On campus I'm involved with Fossil Free Stanford, Stanford Sustainable Investment Group (SSIG), and I'm a guide at the Stanford art gallery. I love to read, listen to music, go on runs, and try out different coffeeshops!
Lysez Angelyn C. Santos - Kīpuka Kuleana
Håfa Adai, my name is Lysez Santos and I am from the Philippines and Guam! At Stanford, I am studying International Relations and Communications. Outside of academics, I am also involved with the Pilipino-American Student Union, Democracy Day Executive Team, and On Call Café. This summer, I will be working with Kīpuka Kuleana, a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit organization and community-based land trust that protects ancestral lands and revitalizes relationships between people and the land. Through this fellowship, I hope to contribute to Kīpuka Kuleana's mission whilst gaining knowledge and experience I can share with my community back home. In my downtime, I enjoy photography, baking/cooking, and beach-hopping!
Melanie Robles - CA Air Resources Board, Office of Community Air Protection
Melanie Robles is a sophomore from Rialto, California, majoring in Public Policy with a concentration in Sustainability, Energy, and Resources and minoring in Environmental Justice. Growing up in the Inland Empire, a Southern California community significantly affected by air pollution, she has developed a strong passion for the intersection of environmental justice and community engagement in policy discussions. This summer, she is interning at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), where she is excited to gain hands-on experience with implementing state policies that prioritize the needs of disproportionately impacted communities. Melanie aspires to become an environmental attorney advocating for communities like her own. In 2024, she was a fellow at the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), where she gained valuable experience working with community members and developed a youth environmental justice summit.
Sophia Siegel - Palau International Coral Reef Center
I'm Sophia, a senior and concurrent MS candidate in the Earth Systems department. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to pursue my passions as a career at the intersection of marine science, resource planning, and global food systems. I love to travel, and am excited to make new friends abroad at PICRIC and work with an incredible team of conservationists.
Tesfa Madhin - National Parks Service, Tuolumne Meadows Interpretive Team
Hello. My name is Tesfa Madhin and I am a senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a coterminal Master’s degree in Sustainability Science and Practice. I am originally from Whittier, a town just outside of Los Angeles. This summer I will be working with the Tuolumne Meadows Interpretive Team at Yosemite National Park as an Interpretive Volunteer Intern. My responsibilities will include preparing presentations on the history and significance of Tuolumne Meadows for park visitors as well as roving trails and helping visitors navigate the area. In my free time I enjoy spending time in nature, traveling, and writing.
Sofia Vera Verduzco - CA Department of Food and Agriculture
Sofia is a senior from Mexico studying Symbolic Systems and completing a coterm in Sustainability. She is passionate about just, sustainable, and humane food systems. This summer she'll be working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento! She loves the ocean, board games, plants, and animals.
Sonya Epifantseva - Environmental Working Group, GIS
Sonya Epifantseva is a senior majoring in Earth Systems with a concentration in climate policy and resilience. This summer, she will be working with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), contributing to research and advocacy on environmental health and sustainability. Sonya is passionate about climate justice, circular economy innovation, and shaping policies that prioritize equity and long-term resilience.
Tom Ramsay - Inter-American Development Bank
Hi! I'm Tom, a senior in Earth Systems at Stanford, and I will be working with the Inter-American Development Bank as a Natural Capital Evaluation and Policy Intern. This summer, I’ll be based in Montevideo, Uruguay, collaborating with Stanford’s Natural Capital Project and Uruguay’s Ministry of Environment. I'm passionate about sustainable development and environmental economics in emerging markets—making this opportunity in Uruguay especially meaningful. In my spare time, I love surfing and playing music from the places I call home: Brazilian samba on the classical guitar, Celtic tunes on the Irish tin whistle, and British rock on the keyboard.
2024 Fellows
Amber Leung - CA State Lands Commission
Hi! My name is Amber Leung, and I’m currently a freshman prospectively majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Public Policy. This summer, I will be working at the California State Lands Commission to analyze and improve their legislation around environmental justice and natural resource stewardship. My background is in climate justice advocacy and community organizing, and I am passionate about the renewable energy transition and environmental equity. I especially am interested in how we can utilize both technology and policy to achieve climate action, and I’m looking forward to spending the summer with SLC at the intersection of environmental science and public service!
Amy Wang - Sierra Club, Advancement
Amy Wang is a current freshman from San Diego, California who will be working with the Sierra Club this summer. She's interested in a variety of majors at Stanford including Symbolic Systems, Computer Science, Creative Writing, and MechE, but is currently undeclared. In her free time, she likes reading, writing, and going on long hikes.
Anna Tavakolian - Sierra Club, Strategic Planning
Anna Tavakolian is a rising junior majoring in Earth Systems and Economics. This summer she will be working with the Sierra Club as a strategic planning intern, helping the environmental organization with project progress tracking, stakeholder engagement, and policy and strategy alignment. She is passionate about advancing climate action, decarbonization, and interdisciplinary sustainability across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Anna is from Eugene, Oregon, and outside of academics, she enjoys running, yoga, biking, baking, reading, and exploring nature.
Anushka Vijay - CA Ocean Protection Council
Hi! My name is Anushka Vijay. I am a sophomore at Stanford University from Bangalore, India and Manila, the Philippines. At Stanford, I am pursuing a major in Earth Systems and a minor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This summer, I am extremely excited to work with the California Ocean Protection Council. Through this fellowship, I hope to harness policy to empower resilient marine ecosystems and coastal communities across the state. Outside of environmental justice and policy advocacy, I am passionate about early education and love working with kids. I serve as a summer camp counselor at Camp Kesem and teach Title One elementary school students about environmental sustainability with Sprout Up Stanford. In my free time, you can find me outdoors, hiking or practicing yoga. I also love scrapbooking and reading historical fiction novels!
Chloe Hughes - Sierra Club, Membership Growth
Hi! I'm Chloe Hughes, a sophomore at Stanford studying Symbolic Systems with a concentration in Neurosciences. I'll be working at Sierra Club this summer to help expand their impact. I'm interested in neurotech, songwriting, and trying new things!
Fiona Mooney - San Francisco Environment Department, Toxics Reduction and Healthy Communities
Hello! My name is Fiona Mooney and I am a junior (rising senior) majoring in Environmental Systems Engineering in the Energy Systems concentration. This summer I will be working as an Environmental Policy in California (EPIC) Fellow at the San Francisco Environment Toxics Reduction and Healthy Communities Team. Given my interest and passion in advancing environmental justice and significance of air pollution and toxin exposure in environmental injustices, I am very excited to learn in this role and engage in the very important work done by the agency. Outside of classes, I am also involved in Stanford’s Environmental Justice Film Festival, SSS, Cardinal Community, and the Women’s Rowing Team. Previously I have worked as a Shultz Fellow with the California Energy Commission and a Policy Fellow at the Farmlink Project, and am looking forward to learn more about policy as a tool to advance Environmental Justice.
Hailey Demars - CA Department of Food and Agriculture
Hello I am Hailey! I am a Data Science Major with a focus in Environmental Science. I will be working at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. I am interested in sustainability and climate change. I like to read, paint and go on walks in my spare time.
Isabella Tavarez - Sierra Club, Federal Energy Campaign Strategy
My name is Isabella Tavarez and I'm a Senior at Stanford studying Civil & Environmental Engineering with a focus in Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology. I'm passionate about sustainability and environmental conservation through a lens that centers racial and economic justice. I'm interested in how to best use the limited land and resources that we have in an equitable manner, as well as reducing the "wastes" produced or discarded by our current systems.
Katrina Golob - Sierra Club, National Press Secretary Communications
I'm Katrina Golob, and I'm a freshman from Menlo Park, California. I haven’t declared my major yet, but I’m interested in history and psychology. In my free time, I like to read, bake, try new coffee shops, and spend time with my friends and family. I’m passionate about the humanities, travel, sustainability, and preserving California’s beautiful natural environment. This summer, I’m excited to be working with the Sierra Club on their National Press Secretary Communications Team. I’ll be working remotely but based in the San Francisco-Bay Area, near campus.
Kevin Song - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Hi! My name is Kevin ('25), and I'm studying CS and Music. I'm interested in how data and software tools can be used to inform ethical, cutting-edge policymaking. I’m excited to work with the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Office of Information Management and Analysis this summer to address environmental and natural resource challenges. In my free time, I like to write and spend time with my orange cat, Leo.
Rohan Chowdhury - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Rohan Chowdhury is a second-year Political Science and Urban Studies student from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, interested in urban planning and policy. He is interning this summer at the California Governor's Office for Planning and Research/Strategic Growth Council.
Sara Hernandez - CA Air Resources Board, Office of Community Air Protection
Sara Hernandez, is a Junior from Southeast Los Angeles, majoring in Urban Studies with a concentration in Sustainability. This summer, she’s interning at the California Air Resources Board to learn more about mitigating air pollution levels through environmental policy strategies. In 2023, Sara interned at Sustainable San Mateo County, where she researched sustainable policy solutions for vulnerable communities in the Bay Area. She also spent time in Oaxaca, Mexico, conducting conservation fieldwork on tree extraction methods. On campus, Sara is actively involved in Stanford Women in Law, serving as their PR Chair and as a member of their Speaker and Alumni Relations committee. During her free time, she enjoys dancing with Stanford Ballet Folklorico, listening to Sade, and going on trips with friends. After Stanford, she hopes to attend law school to become an environmental lawyer.
Sava Tamanaha - Sierra Club, Advancement
My name is Sava Tamanaha, and I am a freshman interested in environmental, criminal justice, and public health policy. During my time at Stanford, I hope to learn about these issues from both scientific and policy standpoints, as I believe that understanding these components within a problem is critical to finding solutions that make a real impact. This summer, I will be joining Sierra Club to advance these interests and to work to contribute to combatting climate change. Outside of my academic and career interests, I read lots of literary fiction, love hiking, and enjoy cooking in my dorm's kitchen!
Serena Turner - Sierra Club, Social Media
Serena is a current Junior, class of 2025, studying Symbolic Systems on the Neuroscience track and minoring in Earth Systems, Sustainability. She is interested in understanding human behavior in order to create further advancements in the environmental realm. She is excited to be interning with the Social Media team at Sierra Club this summer. As Sierra Club creates tangible change to protect our environment and the people inhabiting it, she looks forward to strengthening her Environmental Communication skills and learning from all the expertise at Sierra Club. She cannot wait to create engaging content in Washington, D.C.!
Tesfa Madhin - San Francisco Environment Department, Clean Transportation
Hello. My name is Tesfa Madhin and I am a junior pursuing an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a coterminal Master’s degree in Sustainability Science and Practice. I am originally from Whittier, a town just outside of Los Angeles. This summer, I will be interning at the San Francisco Environment Department under the Clean Transportation Program working on preparing the city for the introduction of more and more electric vehicles by studying what infrastructure will be required for the transition. In my free time I enjoy spending time in nature, traveling, and going on walks.
Zulie Malone - Sierra Club, Federal Communications
Hi, I'm Zulie, a sophomore majoring in Earth Systems on the oceans track and minoring in Creative Writing. I am deeply passionate about creative media as a tool to further the goals of environmental justice and enact change. I will be working for the Sierra Club's federal communications team to do exactly this, helping them with educational materials, memo writing, and outreach media for various federal policy projects. Though I am working remotely from the Bay Area, I plan to visit the office in DC for a week or so during the summer and see firsthand how they operate and join some in-person teamwork. I am super excited to have the chance to immerse myself in the world of environmental policy and nonprofit activism!
2023 Fellows
Angel De Dios - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Audrey Jung - CA Ocean Protection Council
Josh Davenport - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Miriam Awan - CA Air Resources Board - Office of Community Air Protection
Sam Prieto Serrano - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Sydney Guthrie - CA State Lands Commission
2022 Fellows
Alexis Perez - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Emily Zhao - CA Ocean Protection Council
Janica Mendillo - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Lizzie Avila - San Francisco Environment Department
Miriam Wallstrom - CA Air Resources Board, Office of Environmental Justice
Olivia Szabo - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
2021 Fellows
Brook Thompson - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Jocelyn Thai - San Francisco Environment Department
Judy Tsegaye - Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Michael Zhu - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Molly Glickman - CA Ocean Protection Council
2020 Fellows
Alain Perez - San Francisco Environment Department
Austin Ota - CA Air Resources Board, Office of Environmental Justice
Benek Robertson - CA Ocean Protection Council
Jennifer Wang - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Kiara Louise Bacasen - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Tucker (Javier) Matta - Pesticide Action Network
2019 Fellows
Chris Escobedo - CA Department of Conservation
Jacqueline Vogel - CA Ocean Protection Council
Lindsay Young - CA State Water Resources Control Board, Office of Information Management and Analysis
Sandro Hall - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Yesenia Ulloa - San Francisco Environment Department
2018 Fellows
Julia Goolsby - CA Department of Conservation
Kyle Van Rensselaer - CA Department of Conservation
Nate Marshall - CA Ocean Protection Council
Rachel Portillo - CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
Stephanie Fischer - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
2017 Fellows
Dylan McArthur-Waltz - CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
Erin Pang - CA Governor's Office of Planning and Research, Strategic Growth Council
Victoria Mendez - CA Department of Conservation