Get to Know Our Current Graduate Students
2025-2026 Cohort
Emily Fisher
Hello! My name is Emily and I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I did my undergraduate at the University of Denver getting my BS in Environmental Science. While I love the Rocky Mountains, wetlands are my home so I've decided to move to San Diego to study coastal erosion and sedimentation at the Tijuana Estuary with Dr. Suzanné Walther. Outside of USD, you'll find me walking my dog and hanging out with my family!
2025-2026 Cohort
Gunner Kolon
Hi, my name is Gunner and I'm from Houston, Texas. I graduated from USD with a BS in Environmental and Ocean Sciences, and I'm so excited to continue being here working towards my master's! I am currently working with Dr. Michel Boudrias, examining how heavy metals and hydrocarbons affect the community structure of organisms living on pollution remediation booms. If you cannot find me on campus, I am likely surfing or on a hike if there isn't food in front of me.
2025-2026 Cohort
Ilana Roberts
Hi! My name is Ilana. I grew up in the small town of Sierra Vista, AZ, and have always been drawn to nature. I transfered and finished my undergrad at USD receiving a BS in environmental and ocean sciences. I'm currently working alongside Dr. Jennifer Prairie to explore how different shapes and concentrations of microplastics affect specific marine snow properties. I'm excited to be working on this project and to better get to know my peers. In my free time, you'll find me with friends at the beach or hitting a trail, the thrifts or snuggling my cats!
2024-2025 Cohort
Hannah Lissner
Hi, my name is Hannah. I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I graduated from USD in 2024 with a BS in environmental science and I'm excited to extend my time here now as a masters student! I'll be working alongside Professor Eric Cathcart researching paleosols on San Salvador Island in The Bahamas to analyze metals variability and clay mineralogy to try to interpret paleoclimate. When I'm not focused on my studies you'll find me playing video games, exploring, baking or spending time with family and friends.
2024-2025 Cohort
Shelby Page
Hi, my name is Shelby! I grew up in Los Gatos, CA and graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BS in environmental science. At USD I am working with Dr. Sophie Taddeo and my research is focused on quantifying the growth of a microforest at an urban park in Los Angeles. This restoration method involves densely planting a small area and could be widely applicable in highly urbanized spaces. In my free time, you’ll find me running, cooking or flying my drone!
2023-2024 Cohort
Alexia Brown
Hi, I’m Lexi! I’m a Korean-American from Seattle and hold a BS degree in biology from the University of Washington. I am currently a second-year graduate student at USD working with Dr. Drew Talley. I am interested in studying the effects of invasive species in the Tijuana Estuary and how future climate change conditions may potentially drive changes in competition with native species. Forged in the heart of the PNW, my curiosity for nature began at a young age and has ingrained in me a profound admiration for wildlife. I love exploring forest trails and kayaking, going on foodie adventures, playing saxophone and I am deeply in love with (almost) all baby animals!
2021-2022 Cohort
Madisen Hinkley
Hi there! My name is Maddie and I’m an EOS graduate student. I am from the Bay Area and finished undergrad at UC Merced with a BS in biology. I’m currently working with Dr. Jeff Crooks at the Tijuana Estuary, studying spiders and their relationship to vegetation within the marsh. I like to spend my free time outdoors, painting and annoying my dog. In the future, I hope to earn my PhD and continue my research with spiders, while focusing on environmental conservation.