2013 Switzer Fellows - New England
ANNE BAKER –MS, Clark University – Geographic Information Science: Anne’s research focuses on how the
visualization of complex human-environment relationships can improve the marine spatial planning process.
She has a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Anne will work
with a public agency or research institution where she can facilitate better integration of the coastal mapping
and marine spatial planning sectors.
CAITLIN CLEAVER – MS, University of Maine – Marine Biology/Marine Policy: Caitlin’s thesis explores the
biological and cultural aspects of Maine’s green sea urchin fishery. She works as Marine Programs Associate at
the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine, on working waterfront preservation and engaging local rural fishing
communities in the ongoing regional ocean planning process. Caitlin’s professional goal is to improve fisheries
management by increasing transparency and open dialogue in the process.
CAROLINE HOWE – MCP, MIT – Urban Studies & Planning: Caroline is interested in community-based
environmental problem solving, focusing her master’s research on waste as a case study. Prior to graduate
school, she worked with various climate action organizations, including Climate Campaign, Energy Action
Coalition, and the International Youth Climate Movement. Caroline plans to continue her work at the
community level after graduation, helping to solve the challenges of waste, energy and water.
KEVIN KUNG – Ph.D, MIT – Biological Engineering: Kevin’s dissertation examines ways in which solid waste can
be converted to fuel. He is involved in a project in Kenya that works with urban waste-pickers to turn organic
waste into charcoal briquettes, a prized local cooking fuel. Born and raised in Taiwan and Canada, Kevin
approaches environmental problems from an international perspective. Post-graduation, Kevin will form an
organization whose mission is dedicated to responsible urban waste management.
LILY LEWIS – Ph.D, University of Connecticut – Ecology & Evolutionary Biology: Lily studies patterns of diversity
and dispersal of bryophytes in high latitude regions. In the past, she has worked as a field biologist and botanist
in Alaska, and for the Omora Ethnobotanical Park in Chile. In her future work, Lily will develop conservation and
education programs that bring vital information from the study of bryophytes and lichens into land use planning.
VALERIE MOYE – MEM, Yale University –Environmental Management: Valerie is investigating how academic
concepts such as urban metabolism can be translated into useful tools for sustainable development. Valerie is a
former Peace Corps volunteer, and worked for two years in the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Sustainability.
She will pursue a career linking sustainability science, urban planning, and information technology to create
resource efficient cities.
SARAH SHARP – DVM, Tufts University – Conservation Medicine: Sarah’s veterinary studies focus on wildlife and
conservation medicine. Sarah has worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare as the Stranding
Coordinator for marine mammal rescues, and served in Americorps in the environmental and disaster programs.
She looks forward to practicing wildlife veterinary medicine and conducting practical research on marine animal
health in relation to broader conservation efforts.
ELISABETH STODDARD – Ph.D, Clark University – Geography/Food & Agriculture: Lisa’s research analyzes the
ways in which agricultural policies influence the vulnerability of agricultural operations to extreme weather and
disease. Prior to enrolling in her PhD, Lisa worked for several sustainable agriculture organizations in the U.S.
and Costa Rica. Post-graduation, she will work for a sustainable agriculture organization, specifically with
pastured livestock producers, to help them adapt to a changing climate.
AMANDA SUBALUSKY –Ph.D, Yale University – Ecology & Evolutionary Biology: Amanda is studying the impacts of
large wildlife on water quality in the Mara River in Kenya/Tanzania. She has worked as a wildlife biologist in the
western U.S., and her current studies flow directly from prior work with Florida International University in the
Mara River Basin where she worked with scientists and resource managers on water resource planning.
Amanda will work as an ecology professor, committed to engaging with resource managers and policy makers to
help translate her work into practical knowledge.
JESSICA VEYSEY – Ph.D, University of New Hampshire – Wildlife Ecology and Environmental Studies: Jessica
studies wetland ecology and policy. She has contributed important ecological information to the New
Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan, and to New Hampshire’s best management practices for timber harvests near
vernal pools. Jessica will pursue an outreach-oriented professorship that will allow her to pursue both teaching
and practical research.
PAIGE WEBER – MESc, Yale University – Environmental Economics, Policy, Urban Planning: Paige’s master’s
research examines the impacts of the built environment on transportation decisions and energy use. Prior to
enrolling at Yale, Paige worked for Pacific Gas & Electric in San Francisco where she was involved with
implementation of California’s renewable portfolio standards and cap-and-trade program. Paige plans to work
in the NGO or public service sector contributing to the creation and implementation of sustainable energy
policy.
2013 Switzer Fellows - California
MICHAEL ANTOS – Ph.D, UCLA – Geography: Mike’s doctoral work seeks to understand nature and city as one
system and how the separate management systems of the 20th century have created barriers to more
sustainable and integrated decision making. He is the Research Manager at the Council for Watershed Health,
an L.A.-based NGO, where he supervises the research and monitoring staff on water quality monitoring, green
infrastructure, and climate change adaptation planning, among other areas. Post-graduation, he will continue
work in the NGO sector in Los Angeles.
BRET CALLAWAY – MESM, UC Santa Barbara – Water Resource Management: Bret’s research assesses the
ecological, economic, and political drivers affecting Bureau of Reclamation dam site selection throughout the
western U.S. He has worked with the National Park Service, as a private environmental consultant, and with
NGO organizations. Bret looks forward to a career in water resource management where he can equitably
address the needs of social, economic and ecological interests.
JIA CHING CHEN – Ph.D, UC Berkeley – City & Regional Planning: Jia Ching focuses on China’s role in the global
green economy, and its impact on global food and energy resources. Jia Ching has worked as a researcher,
educator and planner in Taiwan and in several U.S.-based NGOs where he was recognized with a Mario Savio
Award for young activists. Jia Ching will use his practical research and his expertise in industrial ecology and
land use planning to contribute to international climate change and sustainability policies.
ANGELA DOERR – Ph.D, UC Davis – Ecology: Angee’s work focuses on the sustainable use of marine resources,
focusing specifically on the Bahamian spiny lobster fishery. Angee also serves as a subject matter expert for the
US Navy Civil Affairs Command, traveling internationally to teach and present on aquaculture and sustainable
fishing practices. Post-graduation, she looks forward to contributing to sound environmental and
socioeconomic policies in the developing world.
DEVAUGHN FRASER – Ph.D, UCLA – Ecology & Evolutionary Biology: Devaughn is interested in how human
activities affect wildlife, specifically the effects of pesticides on bats, to develop guidelines for agriculture that
will maximize bat predation and minimize costs of managing insect pests. She is enrolled in the Leaders in
Sustainability program at UCLA, building a strong interdisciplinary framework to address human activities and
conservation outcomes. Devaughn plans a career as an educator and contributor to applied research and
environmental policy.
ROBERT HEILMAYR – Ph.D, Stanford University – Environmental Economics and Land Change Science: Robert
studies forest transitions in the Cochamo valley in Chile and how lessons learned from forest dynamics can
inform sustainable land use. Prior to graduate school, his career stretched from field botany in the Sierras to
climate policy analysis and advocacy in Washington, DC. Robert looks forward to a career in public service,
either as Congressional staff or in a public agency, contributing to national efforts to address climate change.
ERICA KRIMMEL – MS, San Jose State University – Library & Information Science: Erica works with
environmental researchers to maximize the accessibility and usefulness of their data. Through her role as
volunteer collections manager at Chickering American River Reserve in the Sierra Nevadas, she ensures that
botanical data is not only preserved and shared, but is analyzed in comparison with existing historical
specimens. In her career, Erica will work to ensure that high quality scientific data is easily accessible to better
inform policy and research.
MAXWELL LUDINGTON –MESM, UC Santa Barbara – Environmental Policy & Economics: Max studies ways in
which the private sector can contribute environmentally beneficial solutions to the conservation of critical
ecosystems. Prior to graduate school, Max worked for the National Park Service for 13 summers where he
oversaw the Youth Conservation Program, and where he helped establish a Sister Park Areement between
Grand Teton NP and Argentina’s Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Max plans to work in the private sector leading
the implementation of environmentally friendly markets that will help protect critical ecosystems.
SARAH MOFFITT – Ph.D, UC Davis – Ecology: Sarah’s PhD research focuses on rapid environmental change in
upper ocean ecosystems. She has studied coral reefs in Caribbean Costa Rica and Bermuda, and worked as a
coral reef scientist for NOAA’s Coral Reef Ecosystem Division in Honolulu. Her career goal is to improve
communication between climate scientists, policy makers, and citizens, moving climate science out of debate
trenches and into public policy planning.
MEREDITH NILES – Ph.D, UC Davis – Ecology: Meredith examines the variables that cause farmers to adopt
climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques, and their perceptions of climate change. Prior to
embarking on her PhD, Meredith worked for the U.S. State Department in Public and Congressional Affairs, and
as Cool Foods Campaign Coordinator at the Center for Food Safety in Washington, DC. She aims to pursue a
career in Congress and the federal government.
ISELLA RAMIREZ – MURP, UCLA – Urban Planning: Isella’s master’s work combines her passion for environmental
justice with urban planning tools such as GIS mapping to inform environmental protection and urban planning
processes. Prior to graduate school, she was Co-Director for East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice,
and in 2011 was named one of Liberty Hill Foundation’s “Grassroots Leaders to Watch”. Isella will work as an
urban planner with a focus on environmental justice.