Department of Applied Environmental Science
Department Highlights | May 5, 2023| Issue 11
About the Highlights
The Department of Applied Environmental Science (AES) is home to 3 degree programs: Environmental Studies B.A. (ENSTU), Environmental Science, Technology and Policy B.S. (ESTP), and Environmental Science M.S. (ENSCI). In an effort to stay connected, we created a bi-semester highlights series to keep all AES students, staff, and faculty informed of current AES news & events. If you need to get in touch with the AES office, please feel free to email us at aes_office@csumb.edu.
Faculty Highlight
Dan Fernandez, Professor

Dr. Dan Fernandez is a long-time professor in AES and member of the CSUMB community. In addition to teaching many physics and environmental studies courses, he’s well known for his fog water collection research. Additionally, Dan created/founded the Sustainable City Year Program, where students in classes across campus work on projects with city partners to make their practices more sustainable, and runs the Fernandez Lab.

When he’s not conducting research or teaching classes, Dan can be found hiking, riding his bike, and building fog collectors (some of which can be seen around campus). 

We recently reached out to Dan to learn more about what brought him to CSUMB and his career. 
Adjunct Faculty Highlight
Dr. Vince Ambrosia, Senior Research Scientist

Vince Ambrosia has been an adjunct faculty and senior scientist on our CSUMB NASA Cooperative Agreement since 2001 and enthusiastically served NASA in various roles at Ames Research Center over the last 42 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Ambrosia has laid the foundation for NASA's wildland fire science and the wildland fire applications program through exemplary and sustained leadership and exceptional contributions.

He is receiving the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal in May. This is one of the most prestigious awards an individual can receive from NASA and is presented to selected individuals who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the NASA mission. 

Congratulations, Vince!
Campus Resource
Lauren Knottek, Science Career Advisor

Lauren is the career advisor for all College of Science students. You can meet with her to get help with career planning, finding an internship, resume/cover letter assistance, and interview practice strategies. If you're thinking about applying to graduate school, you can meet with Lauren to receive help with your CV and/or academic resume.

The best way to book an appointment with Lauren is through the advising portal on your student dashboard. Follow the video below for a step-by-step guide to booking an appointment!
Undergraduate Student Highlight
Annie Jones, ENSTU

Annie Jones, a current Environmental Studies major, works for the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Sustainability as a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Reporting Student Assistant. Additionally, she is a UROC researcher, where she conducts research on greenwashing and green development impacts on indigenous communities.

We recently touched base with Annie to learn about her overall CSUMB experience and her future plans.








Graduate Student Highlights
Savanna Saldana, ENSCI
Matt McGee, ENSCI
Savannah Salanda, a current Environmental Science master’s student, recently competed in CSUMB's 2nd annual Grad Slam competition and won the "People's Choice Award" for her presentation on the relationship between Arundo removal and insects.

Matt McGee, a current Environmental Science master’s student, defended his thesis research on "Mesopredator occupancy and passerine richness along an urbanization gradient in central coastal California" in front of his committee and a public audience on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Congratulations, Savannah and Matt!








Alumni Highlights
Bibiana Carrazco, ESTP
Jacob Morales, ENSTU
Danny Wright, ENSCI

Bibiana Carrazco, an Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy alumna, was recently awarded the 2023 Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy Service Learning Award for her work with the Habitat Stewardship Project as the Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator.

Jacob Morales, an Environmental Studies alumnus, was awarded the CSUMB “Outstanding Senior for Social Justice” and the Environmental Studies Service Learning awards.

Danny Wright, a Coastal and Watershed Science & Policy (now known as Environmental Science) alumnus, founded his own non-profit company, Gravity Water, whose mission is to turn rainwater into safe drinking water for schools in need around the world.

Congratulations to all for your awards and innovations.
Message from the Department Chair
Dear AES Students,

We have reached the final few weeks of the semester and an exciting time of year at CSUMB. I hope in the midst of all the end-of-year activities, you can find some time to take a walk in the spectacular Fort Ord National Monument. The vernal pools are full, birds and wildlife are abundant, and the wildflowers are putting on a colorful display.

Please join us to celebrate our capstone students from ENSTU 472, ENVS 464, ENVS 475, and GEOL 460 as they present their culminating projects at the AES Sp23 Capstone Festival on Friday, May 19 from 9 AM-Noon in Library room 1188. 

Good luck to everyone finishing up finals, and ongratulations to the Class of 2023 graduates in ENSTU, ESTP, and ENSCI! The AES Faculty and Staff are so proud of you and will be cheering you on at Commencement!

Warmly,
Dr. Susan Alexander
Professor and Chair, Department of Applied Environmental Science
Department Updates
AES Spring 2023 Capstone Festival
Join us in celebrating the hard work of AES Capstone students!
The Department of Applied Environmental Science Spring 2023 Capstone Festival will be taking place on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (PST) in Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, Rm 1188.

The following majors will be presenting during this session:
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Department of Applied Environmental Science | https://csumb.edu/aes