Current Undergraduate Researchers
(updated spring 2023)
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Sarah caso, lab managerSarah is a senior studying Environmental Science, focusing on bee ecology. Her thesis is on the impact of urbanization on the reproductive health of the native bee Osmia lignaria, also known as the blue orchard bee. She also conducts research on the impact of heat on Osmia sp. development and foraging site fidelity of Melissodes sp. and Diadasia sp. Sarah joined the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2020 out of a desire to help with the conservation of helpful native insects and plants after having previously worked with the management of invasive plants and insects. She is passionate about environmental education, and loves to give presentations for the lab on bee diversity and conservation. When she's not in the lab, Sarah can be found out on a hike (looking for bees), bouldering, or baking crumbles and cobblers.
Sarah can be reached at sccaso(at)berkeley(dot)edu |
Jerid Vega, Undergraduate Research Assistant (he/him)
Jerid is a Spring 2023 graduating senior majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Jerid’s academic interests include ecology and conservation biology. Jerid joined the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2021 out of a deep regard for gardening and creating pollinator habitat. Jerid manages the plant work at the Urban Bee Lab, tending the lab garden and experimenting with various plants to collect data on pollinator preference and biodiversity. When he’s not gardening, Jerid enjoys reading about the Wild West, birdwatching, and playing soccer.
Jerid is a Spring 2023 graduating senior majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Jerid’s academic interests include ecology and conservation biology. Jerid joined the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2021 out of a deep regard for gardening and creating pollinator habitat. Jerid manages the plant work at the Urban Bee Lab, tending the lab garden and experimenting with various plants to collect data on pollinator preference and biodiversity. When he’s not gardening, Jerid enjoys reading about the Wild West, birdwatching, and playing soccer.
Kai Wu, Undergraduate Research Assistant (he/they)
Kai is a senior studying Molecular Environmental Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Kai joined the the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2022 from an interest in California native bees and plants. In his free time, he can be found playing Dance Dance Revolution.
Kai is a senior studying Molecular Environmental Biology in the College of Natural Resources. Kai joined the the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2022 from an interest in California native bees and plants. In his free time, he can be found playing Dance Dance Revolution.
Tiena Elias, Undergraduate Research Assistant (she/her)
Tiena is a junior studying Environmental Science in the College of Natural Resources. She joined the lab 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 junior studying Environmental Science in the College of Natural Resources. She joined the lab 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.
Zaynab Jawaid, Undergraduate Research Assistant (she/her)
Zaynab Jawaid is a junior pursuing a degree in Conservation and Resource Studies. She hopes to focus on wildlife conservation and agro-ecology. Zaynab joined the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2022 because she finds the research to be a perfect intersection between her interest in agriculture and her love for bees. Bee-lieve it or not, Zaynab can often be found outdoors (armed with a camera) taking in all that nature has to offer. If she's not outside enjoying the clouds or sun, she'll be in her kitchen baking tasty treats for her friends and family.
Zaynab can be contacted at hellozaynab(at)berkeley.edu
Zaynab Jawaid is a junior pursuing a degree in Conservation and Resource Studies. She hopes to focus on wildlife conservation and agro-ecology. Zaynab joined the Urban Bee Lab in the fall of 2022 because she finds the research to be a perfect intersection between her interest in agriculture and her love for bees. Bee-lieve it or not, Zaynab can often be found outdoors (armed with a camera) taking in all that nature has to offer. If she's not outside enjoying the clouds or sun, she'll be in her kitchen baking tasty treats for her friends and family.
Zaynab can be contacted at hellozaynab(at)berkeley.edu
Josie Nadolny, Undergraduate Research Assistant & Lab Journalist (she/her)
Josie is a junior studying Environmental Earth Science. She joined the lab in the spring of 2023 because she has a huge interest in insects and a passion for native plant and pollinator conservation. When she is not studying, she loves to read, write, bake, and go hiking.
Josie is a junior studying Environmental Earth Science. She joined the lab in the spring of 2023 because she has a huge interest in insects and a passion for native plant and pollinator conservation. When she is not studying, she loves to read, write, bake, and go hiking.
Leilani Renda, Undergraduate Research Assistant & Lab Artist (she/her)
Leilani is a sophomore 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 is a sophomore 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.
Kathy Liang, Undergraduate Research Assistant (she/her)
Kathy is a sophomore majoring in Society and Environment.
Kathy is a sophomore majoring in Society and Environment.
Emma Coflin, Undergraduate Research Assistant (she/her)
Emma is a second year pursuing a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology and joined the lab in the spring of 2023. She is passionate about restoring native plant habitats and conserving bee biodiversity. She became interested in pollinator-plant interactions after working to create a pollinator garden on Berkeley campus. In her free time, she teaches art classes to elementary school students and loves to be outside in the sunshine.
Emma is a second year pursuing a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology and joined the lab in the spring of 2023. She is passionate about restoring native plant habitats and conserving bee biodiversity. She became interested in pollinator-plant interactions after working to create a pollinator garden on Berkeley campus. In her free time, she teaches art classes to elementary school students and loves to be outside in the sunshine.
Val Weinzweig, Undergraduate Research Assistant (he/she)
Val is a second year Math/Conservation Resource Studies double major. He joined the lab because his academic area of interest is very intertwined with agroecology, with a special love for insect populations and integrated pest management. Bees are also fascinating at every level, from anatomy to sociality. In her free time she likes to read, explore new places, and make increasingly niche playlists. Val joined the lab in the spring of 2023.
Val is a second year Math/Conservation Resource Studies double major. He joined the lab because his academic area of interest is very intertwined with agroecology, with a special love for insect populations and integrated pest management. Bees are also fascinating at every level, from anatomy to sociality. In her free time she likes to read, explore new places, and make increasingly niche playlists. Val joined the lab in the spring of 2023.
Belle Goines, Undergraduate Research Assistant (she/her)
Belle is a sophomore studying Society & Environment and Conservation & Resource Studies. Belle joined the Urban Bee lab in the spring of 2023 due to her love for wildlife conservation and biodiversity. She has previous experience conducting bumble bee surveys for the California Bumble Bee Atlas. During the weekends Belle loves to and go surfing and travel around the Bay Area.
Belle is a sophomore studying Society & Environment and Conservation & Resource Studies. Belle joined the Urban Bee lab in the spring of 2023 due to her love for wildlife conservation and biodiversity. She has previous experience conducting bumble bee surveys for the California Bumble Bee Atlas. During the weekends Belle loves to and go surfing and travel around the Bay Area.
Ben Bartlett, Undergraduate Research Assistant & Social Media Manager (he/they)
Ben is a freshman studying Molecular Environmental Biology. He joined the Urban Bee Lab in the spring of 2023 because he is interested in insect morphology, pollinator mechanisms, and wildlife conservation. In his free time, he performs in a community orchestra, writes poetry, learns Italian, reads his YA book list, and plays volleyball.
Ben is a freshman studying Molecular Environmental Biology. He joined the Urban Bee Lab in the spring of 2023 because he is interested in insect morphology, pollinator mechanisms, and wildlife conservation. In his free time, he performs in a community orchestra, writes poetry, learns Italian, reads his YA book list, and plays volleyball.
Joanna Luna, Experimental Garden Volunteer (she/her)
Joanna is a sophomore with a planned major in Molecular Cell Biology, focusing on biotechnology and genetics. She joined the Urban Bee Lab as a volunteer due to her love for honey in her food and teas which turned into an appreciation for bees and sparked an interest in knowing more about them and their variety. She became aware of the Bee Lab through UC Berkeley Save the Bees Decal when they went on a field trip becoming intrigued from the start. She likes to read, draw, binge-watch shows, and hang out with friends and family in her free time.
Joanna is a sophomore with a planned major in Molecular Cell Biology, focusing on biotechnology and genetics. She joined the Urban Bee Lab as a volunteer due to her love for honey in her food and teas which turned into an appreciation for bees and sparked an interest in knowing more about them and their variety. She became aware of the Bee Lab through UC Berkeley Save the Bees Decal when they went on a field trip becoming intrigued from the start. She likes to read, draw, binge-watch shows, and hang out with friends and family in her free time.
Previous Volunteer Undergraduate Researchers (Updated Spring 2023)
Jerid Vega (Molecular Environmental Biology '23)
Kai Wu (Molecular Environmental Biology '23)
Daisy Friedman (Sociology & Journalism '23)
Theo Chen
Ivan Yun
Madeline Rohner (Society & Environment '22)
Miranda Monge (Society & Environment '22)
Erica Varon Rodriguez (Conservation & Resource Studies '22)
Jose Rodriguez
Jasmin Elenes
Ava Currie
Jackie Singer
Annabelle Baldwin
Amanda Harmon
Nasim Jahangard-Mahboob (Environmental Science)
Kavya Niranjan (Environmental Science)
Adele Wallrich (Conservation & Resource Studies)
Kipper Berven (Environmental Science & Environmental Economics)
Kai Wu (Molecular Environmental Biology '23)
Daisy Friedman (Sociology & Journalism '23)
Theo Chen
Ivan Yun
Madeline Rohner (Society & Environment '22)
Miranda Monge (Society & Environment '22)
Erica Varon Rodriguez (Conservation & Resource Studies '22)
Jose Rodriguez
Jasmin Elenes
Ava Currie
Jackie Singer
Annabelle Baldwin
Amanda Harmon
Nasim Jahangard-Mahboob (Environmental Science)
Kavya Niranjan (Environmental Science)
Adele Wallrich (Conservation & Resource Studies)
Kipper Berven (Environmental Science & Environmental Economics)
