Erin Rodriguez, a graduate of the UC Davis Environmental Policy and Management (EPM) program, joined with a clear goal: to deepen her understanding of the science that shapes impactful policy decisions. Today, as director of governmental affairs at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), she’s applying that knowledge to develop policies that benefit California communities.
Hello! My name is Erica, and I am a second-year EPM student. I am also a policy advocate passionate about zero waste and sustainable solutions. My journey into environmental advocacy started with my B.S. in Chemistry (and a minor in Math) from CSU Sacramento. After working as an environmental chemist and quality assurance specialist, I realized I wanted to focus on systemic change through policy. That’s what led me to pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management at UC Davis.
Nothing says autumn in Northern California like a quick trip to Apple Hill! This past weekend, EPM graduate students took a break from their schoolwork to embrace the fall season. With students from both first and second-year cohorts, it was the perfect way to take a breather from Week 7 and enjoy some seasonal fun together.
Former EPM student Carolyn Subramaniam developed a policy brief recommending folic acid fortification of corn masa flour, a staple grain for many Central and Latin American Communities. Over a year later in September 2024, her concept was signed into law.
The Graduate Program of Environmental Policy and Management is thrilled to welcome back Dr. David Bunn to our faculty roster. David was the EPM program director from December 2019-August 2021. He is now working as a conservation policy consultant and serves on the EPM External Advisory Committee.
EPM instructor, Abre' Conner, esq. has been appointed to US EPA's HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council. Conner has taught the Environmental Policy Clinic since 2023.
Sean is an EPM Graduate Student Researcher and the UC Davis Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory analyst. In his first year with EPM, Sean has pursued funded graduate research in partnership with the Sierra Institute, working to find environmentally just, market-driven solutions to sustainable forest and wildfire management, which are massive nature-based carbon dioxide sinks — and increasingly, sources. In his second year with EPM, Sean is looking forward to building more technical skills.
Hi, I’m May Myo Myint, a Fulbright scholar and masters student in the Environmental Policy and Management program (EPM). Prior to beginning the EPM program, I had 4 years of environmental consulting experience focused on environmental impact assessment, industrial pollution control, and public consultation. Currently, I am working on textile producer responsibility program and textile circularity projects with the California Product Stewardship Council.
I am currently a Professor in Earth and Planetary Sciences, and the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Programs in Public Scholarship & Engagement at UC Davis.
There are over 400,000 farmworkers employed in the agricultural industry in California (California Employment Development Department, 2022). Despite only making up a small proportion of the total 40 million people in the state, their work is fundamental to everyone’s daily life. The significance of their work is a contrast to the difficult working conditions they face on a daily basis– strenuous tasks, poor living conditions, exposure to extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and toxic pesticides.
Consider this: the coffee you drink in the morning, and the chocolate you eat at night, were both grown by a farmer somewhere in the world. You feel good knowing that the coffee was produced sustainably through the farmer's partnership with Fair Trade USA™. However, growing concerns regarding climate change and deforestation have increased pressure on farmers to mitigate harm to the environment, which begs the question, how? And what role can a nonprofit certifying agency, like Fair Trade USA (FTUSA), play?
For the Policy Clinic, our team worked alongside NOAA Fisheries to analyze the impacts of salmon extirpation on communities in the San Joaquin River Basin.
