Stories from Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Alumni

Andrew Adams works as an environmental permitting specialist and business analyst for a construction company in Seaside, Oregon. Andrew began studying the relationships between environmental issues and culture while an undergraduate student at NYU in 2016. Since then, he has volunteered with organic farmers and food justice groups including Food Not Bombs and We Keep Us Safe, and as a “citizen scientist” for different biodiversity projects on iNaturalist. During his time at Oregon State… more

K-Andrea Evarose (“K”) is a Solid Waste Technical Analyst with the Office of Planning and Development under the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of the Governor. Working alongside local partners and with guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she contributed to the development of the CNMI’s first Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (CISWMP), which has been approved by the EPA and is now being implemented across the Commonwealth. Originally… more

Allison was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she continues to live today. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience from Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M, an environmental justice course sparked her passion for the field and helped shape her professional interests. After graduating in 2020, Allison began her career with the state environmental agency as an air investigator before transitioning into environmental consulting. She has worked as an air… more

Lee Baldwin spent most of his life moving from place to place following his dad’s career in the US Navy. After graduating high school he continued to travel on his own before and during undergraduate school at Arizona State University from which he graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainability, with a minor in Environmental Resource Management. After returning from an assignment in the Peace Corps that ended in the 2020 COVID pandemic, Lee enrolled in a Master’s in… more

Gabriel Sunday Ayayia, a summer 2025 M.S. degree graduate in environmental sciences at Oregon State Unveirsity, is originally from Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria. Gabriel is continuing his studies at OSU and pursuing a Ph.D. in biological & ecological engineering. Gabriel is also founder of the LIFEWS Foundation, a non-profit advancing food, energy, and water security in Africa. His research focuses on the food-energy-water nexus, agrivoltaics, climate-smart agriculture, environmental… more

Adam Rotert's research on the issue of marine debris impacting sea turtle hatcheries begins a bit further inland. 

"I grew up in rural Missouri playing in the woods with naturalist parents helping to develop my love of the environment from a young age," said Adam.

Adam further cultivated his passion for the nature and education during his undergrad years by exploring the numerous lakes, spring-fed rivers, caves and hilly areas of central Texas, where he earned a… more

David Rhineheart lives in Spokane, Wash. He is an app developer, a cyclist, enjoys hiking challenging trails, and seeks to explore lakes and rivers as much as possible. He began his education at Portland State University, spending his last year at University of Oregon to receive a Bachelor of Science in 2022. His undergrad focused mainly of math, computer science, and geography. Next, he sought to understand aquifer management by researching the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer… more

Meghan Woodbury lives in Camarillo, Calif., and is a mom to 4 teenagers. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time on the coast. She received her undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2003. She worked for the Navy as a flight test engineer on the F/A-18 aircraft. She was certified as a California Climate Steward and volunteers for the environmental organization Surfrider. After learning about the various climate problems affecting… more

I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a Biology minor. Since then, I have been working in the environmental education field through the McHenry County Conservation District in Illinois, followed by the Forest Service. I attended graduate school starting in the fall of 2021 while working as an education specialist at Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi, California and I have recently been promoted… more

Tanyi is a business-savvy engineer, environmental scientist, and regulatory professional with many years of experience addressing the interlocking objectives of environmental protection, human health, and community resilience. Tanyi is a dynamic and collaborative leader, a promoter of STEM and innovation, and an advocate of a holistic environmental sustainability approach.Tanyi currently works as a New Chemicals Review Program Manager in the New Chemicals Program at the United States… more