Student Spotlight- Alexandra (Lexi) Yokomizo
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.
Why did you choose the EPM program to pursue your masters degree?
I chose this program for its interdisciplinary approach. I want to focus not just on the physical science side, but also the social science side and how this holistic approach can create better solutions. I think having a holistic approach to environmental issues is the only way that makes sense due to different communities' connections and relationships with their surroundings.
What course would you say you’ve developed the most skills from?
Environmental Law [ENV 201] taught me a variety of skills that help not only with analyzing different documents, but also how to approach sometimes difficult conversations with a variety of interested parties and stakeholders. Having never taken a law class before, we learned the basics and foundational environmental policies. We were able to analyze a broad range of environmental topics with a focus on issues that are relevant at the time, like fire accountability and water rights. I gained not only a foundational understanding of environmental law, but the skills I learned of how to have conversations and how I could approach them in the professional world was unlike any other class I have taken.
What do you hope to do when you’re finished with the program?
I would love to continue doing research either in a PhD program or leading a non-profit research program that focuses on the aquatic systems and the communities that rely on them. Learning how communities can have reciprocal relationships with their local environment will also balance environmental services and resource management is a topic I would love to dive deeper into.
What was your Practicum project focused on?
I worked with Restore the Delta, a nonprofit that focuses on the San Francisco - San Joaquin Estuary Delta and the communities who rely on it. I performed field work through the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring program and built on the data collected from that field work. I also analyzed data from Restore the Delta from when the monitoring program started in 2022 all the way through 2025. That data was then broken down into maps that illustrate the changes throughout the years were developed and put together on an ArcGIS Storymap. This Storymap has narration that goes along with each map and data point so that residents of Stockton can assess data without a scientific literacy barrier and can be shared with the communities. If you would like to learn more, click the link below!
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year?
I hope to create an amazing Policy Clinic project with my team focused on financing river communities across the nation [in collaboration with American Rivers]. We hope to write a white paper along with one pager products that policymakers can use to understand solutions. I also hope to stick to a healthy sleep schedule.
Tell us something fun you did over the summer
Students from EPM went on a river rafting trip with the non-profit organization, Friends of the Rivers. We not only rafted down the American River over many rapids and got to camp, but also got to talk to people actively working in the water advocacy world about policy and work they are currently facing.