Marcella Hernandez is an upcoming second-year EPM student who has been working as the EPM outreach and administration student assistant. Marcella specializes in Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Justice, with a pending addition in Environmental Data Science, and strives to be a well-rounded professional. She grew up in California's Central Valley, where she began her academic journey at Bakersfield College, earning an Associate of Science in Agricultural Business and Liberal Arts, before moving on to UC Davis, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Education with a focus on Plant and Soil Sciences.
With a deep, multifaceted background in education and agriculture, Marcella is looking to pivot her career, using her growing policy expertise to directly combat the severe environmental burdens, such as poor air and water quality and food deserts, faced by many communities in the Central Valley. Currently working to expand these skills through a powerhouse summer workload. This includes serving as a Graduate Student Researcher, collaborating with Clean Water Action and the Dolores Huerta Foundation on water allocation governance; acting as a Zero Waste Coordinator for the UC Davis Sustainability Office; and championing student engagement as the Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator for the Campus Center for the Environment. Her knack for creative outreach shines through her past role as the Social Media and Outreach Coordinator for the Association of Environmental Professionals at UC Davis, and she is excited to bring that energy to EPM!
Nicole (Nico) Naylor is a second-year EPM student, who has been working as the EPM outreach and administration student assistant. Nico specializes in Conservation Management and Environmental Data Science, but strives to be a well-rounded interdisciplinary environmental professional with experience in managing outreach, event planning, and administration. They grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where they attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, studying biology, with minors in chemistry and art studio. After working in a series of laboratory-based jobs, Nico wanted to pivot their career into the environmental field. With aspirations in the interdisciplinary, from event planning as a Resident Assistant to their art studio minor, UC Davis has allowed Nico to gain additional skills in policy, outreach, event planning, science communication, and administrative coordination, through new positions like the Event Planner for EPM’s Social Committee, the 2025 Annual One Health Symposium Planning Committee, and their current position as an outreach assistant in EPM. Outside of those responsibilities, Nico enjoys spending time reading, painting, playing games, and enjoying a good movie.
Dulles Hanula is finishing up his second year in the UC Davis EPM program, specializing in Sustainable Agriculture and Water Resources Management. He grew up in Pasadena, California before heading to New York to attend Fordham University, where he studied Political Science and International Political Economy with a minor in Environmental Studies. After working in different politically adjacent jobs like public relations and campaigning, he wanted to pivot his career to incorporate outside interests to become a more well-rounded professional. In his time at Davis, he has expanded his technical skills while getting involved in new things outside of academics. When he isn’t in the classroom, he spends his time gardening, playing soccer, hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
Anna is a second year EPM student specializing in Sustainable Systems. She currently works with the National Stewardship Action Council advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation and policies that advance a circular economy. She hopes to use the skills she’s learned in EPM to advocate for and implement policies that hold waste generators accountable for the end of life management of environmentally hazardous products & advance climate change mitigation strategies.
Shivam Gandhi is a current second year in the EPM program, with his courses focusing on air quality, community development, and the interface between science and policy. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from CSU Stanislaus, and a Master’s in Chemistry from Virginia Tech. Since Fall 2024, he has been an intern at Sacramento Breathe in the Food Scraps & Recycling program, focusing on implementation of SB 1383. As well, he is also a graduate student researcher with Dr.
Alexandra (Lexi) Yokomizo is a current second year in the EPM Program with specializations in water resource management and environmental justice. She hopes to use her research background and management knowledge from the EPM program to lead research programs that center intersectional environmentalism in aquatic systems where the environment and the communities that rely on them are recognized for their interconnectedness.
Morgen is a second year in the UC Davis Environmental Policy and Management Graduate Program, with plans to graduate in June 2025. Morgen is now pursuing dual specializations in Water and Marine Resource Management, where she hopes to apply her knowledge of the law, experience in project management, and research and analysis to policy and advocacy in this next phase of her career.
When I began my Environmental Policy & Management (EPM) practicum, I expected to focus on forest management policies and economic modeling. What I didn’t expect was how much this project would reshape my understanding of research, policy, and the interconnected challenges of wildfire resilience, economic justice, and rural development.
As a second-year masters student in the Graduate Program of Environmental Policy and Management, Paul Ronevich is making significant contributions to a local environmental education nonprofit. Before joining UC Davis, Paul brought 16 years of experience as an environmental science teacher to the table.
