Meet the PCJ in the Bay Fellows

Chloe Hughes is a senior majoring in data science with a concentration in brains and behavior. This past summer, she worked with Acterra, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding clean energy access for all. As a data science intern passionate about data accessibility, she worked across all teams at Acterra to promote energy equity for a cleaner environment. Outside of sustainability, she enjoys songwriting and learning about the music industry. Read Chloe’s reflection.

Raphael Kim is a senior majoring in bioengineering and minoring in sustainability. She is passionate about sustainability, public health, and environmental justice. At Belle Haven Action, her role focused on helping with the organization’s initiatives like extreme heat kits and air filtration unit filter replacements, as well as developing an organizational newsletter. Read Raphael’s reflection.

Meerashree Sundara Raju is a graduate student pursuing her MS in environmental engineering. She worked with Belle Haven Action to plan a Youth Climate Summit, support a pilot farmers market to improve food access and local resilience, and lead storytelling efforts to amplify resident voices. She also helped with volunteer engagement and office operations as the organization expanded its grassroots work.

Dae Apineru is a junior studying earth systems and comparative studies in race and ethnicity. He is passionate about environmental equity and Indigenous land and water rights. With Climate Resilient Communities, he served marginalized communities through their Resilient Homes Program, assisting with identifying homes that are prone to climate change threats, helping people navigate service applications, and implementing home repairs. Read Dae’s reflection.

Austin Shaw is a sophomore pursuing a major in earth systems with a focus on human environmental systems. He is passionate about environmental justice, especially about ensuring all communities have equitable access to resources to adapt to climate change. Austin worked with Climate Resilient Communities to strengthen their Resilient Leadership program as it prepared to expand its Environmental Justice Network of community-based organizations in Santa Clara County. Read Austin’s reflection.

Fatoumata Barrie is pursuing a BA in sociology and an MA in sustainability science and practice. She is passionate about the intersection of racial equity, public health, and community-led climate solutions. Fatoumata partnered with Communities for a Better Environment in Richmond, supporting local efforts to raise awareness about pollution and displacement and collaborating with residents on “The People’s Science Experiment.” Read Fatoumata’s reflection.

Sierra Maciorowski is a JD student at Stanford Law School, where she studies the intersections of public health, environmental justice, law, and policy in preparation for a career in movement lawyering. This past summer, she worked with Communities for a Better Environment in Richmond to research and prepare a proposal for participatory budgeting and support a community-led effort to test soil for pollutants. Read Sierra’s reflection.

Belinda Castaneda is a junior majoring in mathematics and minoring in education. A daughter of immigrant fieldworkers, she brought her lived experience to her work with Nuestra Casa, supporting community outreach, water justice efforts, and climate adaptation projects in East Palo Alto and surrounding areas. Belinda hopes to become a math teacher who weaves social and environmental justice into the classroom. Read Belinda’s reflection.

Stephanie Leon is a sophomore who is passionate about environmental health, environmental justice, and community-engaged work. At Nuestra Casa this past summer, her role was to work closely with community members to address the environmental issues most pressing to them, analyze local threats, and create educational materials that highlight available resources and inspire community-led change.

Monique Santoso is a PhD student studying effective communication to promote climate adaptation policy. This past summer, she worked with OneShoreline and the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management. She defined flood management responsibilities before, during, and after events and outlined how agencies should produce and share critical flood data with staff and the public during emergencies. Read Monique’s reflection.

Noelle Villanueva is a graduating senior in the Program in Science, Technology & Society and a coterm in sustainability science and practice. She worked with OneShoreline, focusing on creating GIS story maps to illustrate sea level rise and flooding in San Mateo County. Last summer, she worked in the Philippines to build up community resilience against storm surge and sea level rise. Read Noelle’s reflection.

Calista (Cali) Ordas is a recent graduate with a BS in earth systems and a minor in data science, currently pursuing her MS in environmental systems with a focus on social-environmental systems and analysis. At Rise South City in South San Francisco, she supported projects focused on air quality, restoration, and climate resilience, using mapping and data storytelling to amplify community knowledge and co-create bilingual outreach materials. Read Calista’s reflection.

Monica Tavassoli is a graduate student in Stanford’s Program in Sustainability Science and Practice. She partnered with Rise South City to support community-led air quality research and outreach in South San Francisco. She is interested in exploring ways to improve the built environment through data-driven, community-centered approaches and aims to apply her skills in sustainability and technology to advance community well-being and environmental outcomes. Read Monica’s reflection.

Stella Tinker is a sophomore who plans to major in urban studies. Passionate about addressing environmental injustice in urban communities, Stella is dedicated to creating equitable solutions in food systems. She interned with Valley Verde to support their mission of promoting food sovereignty through healthy eating initiatives, expanded food access, and micro-entrepreneurship training. Read Stella’s reflection.

Ashley Wong is a sophomore studying science, technology, and society with a concentration in life sciences and health. She worked with Valley Verde to support their mission of providing health resilience resources and addressing food insecurity among families who need it the most. Inspired by the resilience of her parents, she is committed to helping repair the barriers that continue to affect low-income communities. Read Ashely’s reflection.