Vanessa Buenrostro

Vane is a proud South Oxnard native committed to advancing environmental justice and creating community-driven solutions for climate resilience. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with minors in Spanish and Computer Information Systems from California Lutheran University, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to her research and advocacy at the intersection of science, policy, and equity. Her work centers on air quality and carbon management, with a focus on the health and environmental impacts of climate change in frontline communities. Vanessa co-authored a white paper examining the socioenvironmental impacts of direct air capture technology in California’s Central Valley, developed in collaboration with Restore the Delta and environmental science professionals. At UC Davis, Vanessa is also a co-founder of Latinx in the Environment, a student-led initiative developed in partnership with the Chicanx/Latinx Center for Academic Student Success. The program fosters mentorship, community building, and advocacy for Latinx and Indigenous students navigating environmental fields. She also serves as part of the HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) Graduate Student Council, working to elevate the needs and voices of Latinx graduate students on campus. Beyond research, Vanessa has cultivated a diverse range of experiences with nonprofits supporting farmworker communities in Ventura County and served in public sector roles with the County of Ventura’s Sustainability Division and the U.S. Department of Energy, where she contributed to advancing equitable energy and climate solutions. Looking ahead, Vanessa hopes to continue her career in public service, shaping policies that center environmental justice and community well-being. She also envisions creating a nonprofit dedicated to empowering first-generation, low-income high school students to thrive in STEM fields and lead the next generation of environmental changemakers.