Current Volunteer Undergraduate Researchers (Updated Fall 2021)
Sarah Caso, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sarah is a junior studying Environmental Science with a Biological Science concentration. She joined the Urban Bee Lab because of a desire to work with the conservation of helpful native bees after having previously worked with the removal of invasive insects, and because she is passionate about educating youth about all things nature related. Sarah was a member of the Global Environment Theme House (GETH) during her freshman year, and in her free time can be found on a hike with former GETHies, on a run, or in the kitchen trying a new vegan recipe.
Sarah is a junior studying Environmental Science with a Biological Science concentration. She joined the Urban Bee Lab because of a desire to work with the conservation of helpful native bees after having previously worked with the removal of invasive insects, and because she is passionate about educating youth about all things nature related. Sarah was a member of the Global Environment Theme House (GETH) during her freshman year, and in her free time can be found on a hike with former GETHies, on a run, or in the kitchen trying a new vegan recipe.
Miranda Monge, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Miranda is a fourth year student in the College of Natural Resources, majoring in Society & Environment and Conservation Resource Studies. Miranda grew up in San Diego before moving to Berkeley, and enjoys going to the beach, roller skating, and taking care of her house plants. This is her first semester in the Urban Bee Lab, and she looks forward to learning more about native California flower and bee species!
Miranda is a fourth year student in the College of Natural Resources, majoring in Society & Environment and Conservation Resource Studies. Miranda grew up in San Diego before moving to Berkeley, and enjoys going to the beach, roller skating, and taking care of her house plants. This is her first semester in the Urban Bee Lab, and she looks forward to learning more about native California flower and bee species!
Erica Varon Rodriguez, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Erica is a senior studying Conservation and Resource Studies at UC Berkeley. Erica was born and raised in Colombia, but she moved to the U.S. a few years ago following her dream to become a Conservation Biologist. Erica’s passion for the natural environment has led her to join different non-profit organizations in the Bay Area that work to preserve wetlands. At the Urban Bee Lab, Erica helps analyze and curate native bees, research diversity and abundance of bee populations in California, study bee-plant interactions, helps to translate documents to Spanish and to update the Spanish version of the Urban Bee lab website.
Erica is a senior studying Conservation and Resource Studies at UC Berkeley. Erica was born and raised in Colombia, but she moved to the U.S. a few years ago following her dream to become a Conservation Biologist. Erica’s passion for the natural environment has led her to join different non-profit organizations in the Bay Area that work to preserve wetlands. At the Urban Bee Lab, Erica helps analyze and curate native bees, research diversity and abundance of bee populations in California, study bee-plant interactions, helps to translate documents to Spanish and to update the Spanish version of the Urban Bee lab website.
Madeline Rohner, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Madeline is a senior studying society and environment with a focus on environmental justice and sustainability and food systems. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and joined the Urban Bee Lab to learn more about agricultural practices to support the native pollinator population. On-campus, she is involved with the UC Berkeley Surfrider Foundation and is a garden manager at the Student Organic Garden. Off-Campus, Madeline works as an artist for local restaurants and food magazines and enjoys hiking, climbing, and skiing.
Madeline is a senior studying society and environment with a focus on environmental justice and sustainability and food systems. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and joined the Urban Bee Lab to learn more about agricultural practices to support the native pollinator population. On-campus, she is involved with the UC Berkeley Surfrider Foundation and is a garden manager at the Student Organic Garden. Off-Campus, Madeline works as an artist for local restaurants and food magazines and enjoys hiking, climbing, and skiing.
Jasmin Elenes, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jasmin is a third-year at Berkeley intending to be an Ecosystem Management and Forestry major. She has been interested in the conservation of bees and research since high school after making a website about bee conservation for Girls Who Code and decided to join the Urban Bee Lab in Spring 2021. Jasmin was born and raised in the Bay Area and in her free time enjoys listening to new music, hanging out with her cat, and playing video games.
Jasmin is a third-year at Berkeley intending to be an Ecosystem Management and Forestry major. She has been interested in the conservation of bees and research since high school after making a website about bee conservation for Girls Who Code and decided to join the Urban Bee Lab in Spring 2021. Jasmin was born and raised in the Bay Area and in her free time enjoys listening to new music, hanging out with her cat, and playing video games.
Jose Rodriguez, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello my name is Jose Manuel Rodriguez, I go by they/them pronouns and I’m currently a 3rd year intended Molecular Environmental Biology major with a concentration in environment and human health. I’m also minoring in global public health. I want to pursue a career in medicine so that I can give back to low income BIPOC neighborhoods like the ones I was raised in East Oakland, CA. I’ve always had a passion for animal sciences and conservation since I was very little and that is why I joined the Urban Bee Lab so that I can be a part of conservation efforts for bees in California.
Hello my name is Jose Manuel Rodriguez, I go by they/them pronouns and I’m currently a 3rd year intended Molecular Environmental Biology major with a concentration in environment and human health. I’m also minoring in global public health. I want to pursue a career in medicine so that I can give back to low income BIPOC neighborhoods like the ones I was raised in East Oakland, CA. I’ve always had a passion for animal sciences and conservation since I was very little and that is why I joined the Urban Bee Lab so that I can be a part of conservation efforts for bees in California.
Tiena Elias, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tiena is a sophomore studying Environmental Science in the College of Natural Resources. She joined the Urban Bee Project in the Spring of 2021 because she is fascinated by entomology and sustainable agriculture. She is also involved in Berkeley Student Farms on campus and likes to read, bike, and play music in her free time.
Tiena is a sophomore studying Environmental Science in the College of Natural Resources. She joined the Urban Bee Project in the Spring of 2021 because she is fascinated by entomology and sustainable agriculture. She is also involved in Berkeley Student Farms on campus and likes to read, bike, and play music in her free time.
Ava Currie, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ava is a junior studying Ecosystem Management & Forestry and minoring in Food Systems. She is passionate about agroecology and fighting for environmental justice. She joined the Urban Bee Lab to expand her knowledge of different bee species and learn more about agricultural practices that can support pollinator populations. On campus, Ava is also involved in independent research looking at climate change and COVID-19, the Berkeley Student Food Collective, and Epsilon Eta, a co-ed environment fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, writing songs, thrifting, and taking care of her houseplants.
Ava is a junior studying Ecosystem Management & Forestry and minoring in Food Systems. She is passionate about agroecology and fighting for environmental justice. She joined the Urban Bee Lab to expand her knowledge of different bee species and learn more about agricultural practices that can support pollinator populations. On campus, Ava is also involved in independent research looking at climate change and COVID-19, the Berkeley Student Food Collective, and Epsilon Eta, a co-ed environment fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, writing songs, thrifting, and taking care of her houseplants.
Amanda Niemela, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Amanda Niemela is a junior studying Genetics and Plant Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Amanda joined the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab because of her passion for conservation biology, interest in plant-pollinator interactions, and because of her enthusiasm for science advocacy. In her free time, she teaches debate and public speaking to high school students and enjoys exploring nature with her friends and family.
Amanda Niemela is a junior studying Genetics and Plant Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Amanda joined the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab because of her passion for conservation biology, interest in plant-pollinator interactions, and because of her enthusiasm for science advocacy. In her free time, she teaches debate and public speaking to high school students and enjoys exploring nature with her friends and family.
Leilani Renda, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Leilani Renda is a first year student studying ecosystem management in forestry. Leilani is passionate about regenerative agriculture and ecosystem stewardship and in her free time, she enjoys drawing, hiking, gardening, and laying in the sunshine. Leilani hopes to one day work deep in the jungle and own a small piece of land with a couple goats and runner ducks.
Leilani Renda is a first year student studying ecosystem management in forestry. Leilani is passionate about regenerative agriculture and ecosystem stewardship and in her free time, she enjoys drawing, hiking, gardening, and laying in the sunshine. Leilani hopes to one day work deep in the jungle and own a small piece of land with a couple goats and runner ducks.
Previous Volunteer Undergraduate Researchers (Updated Summer 2021)
Jackie Singer, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Annabelle Baldwin, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Amanda Harmon, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nasim Jahangard-Mahboob, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kavya Niranjan (Environmental Sciences), Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adele Wallrich (Conservation and Resource Studies), Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adele Wallrich (Conservation and Resource Studies), Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kipper Berven (Environmental Science & Environmental Economics) , Undergraduate Research Assistant
