Dragonfruit

Alec Baird is a fourth year PhD student at UCLA researching plant physiology. In this episode, he shared some incredible knowledge, and opinions, with us on topics from plant adaptations to genetically engineered crops. I hope you enjoy this episode and learn something new.

Learn more about Alec Baird and find his publications at: alecbaird.weebly.com

Hello, everybody! This is your host, Caroline Cheng, and with this mini-episode I want to give just a little introduction to who I am and why I created this passion project called Dragonfruit. 

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to reach out on Instagram (@dragonfruit_thepodcast) or over email ([email protected])

All the best, 

Caroline

This episode introduces a new format: an open-ended conversation between me and a friend.

Rhay Flores is a fourth year Ecology major at UCLA with experience in both research and field work. We met through a research project focusing on American Crow populations in Marina del Rey, California and their interaction with the endangered Least Tern. In this episode, we get into topics like restoration, finding your passions, our UCLA experiences, and much more. I hope you enjoy!

Find Rhay on social media: @rhaygeena     https://www.instagram.com/rhaygeena/

Jill Pelto is a climate change artist with a background in glaciology. Jill uses scientific data in combination with watercolors to create art that is both emotional and impactful; she was recently featured as the cover artist for TIME Magazine's July 2020 Climate Issue. In this episode we touched upon her experiences doing field work in Antarctica, the communication of science through art, and staying motivated beyond instant gratification. I would highly encourage any listener to visit Jill's website and/or social media to see her art for themselves!

Learn more at: jillpelto.com

Meredith McCarthy is the Director of Operations at Heal the Bay, a non-profit focused on water quality in Los Angeles. In this episode we discussed water recycling, stormwater capture, water policy, and collaborating with community organizations; she also shared what led her to leave the film industry and find a career within an NGO. Meredith's insights and anecdotes are riveting and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do.

Learn more at: healthebay.org

Jess Heckman is currently a third-year PhD student at the University of California Los Angeles’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability; her research interests focus on coastal resilience and disaster planning. In this episode we had a great discussion about coastal concerns, disaster planning and policy, and shifting perspectives. She also shared how her personal experience with Hurricane Sandy shaped her research interests and offered some hopeful advice for figuring out graduate school and finding your path.

Learn more at: ioes.ucla.edu

Karina Johnston is the science director for The Bay Foundation, as well as the director of programs for the Loyola Marymount University Coastal Research Institute. In today's episode we discussed Karina's career path and advice, nature-based adaptations of coastlines, and stakeholder engagement in the context of The Bay Foundation's work and the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project.

Learn more at: santamonicabay.org

Paul Stainier is a second-year PhD student at the UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, and is currently researching the effects of climate change on labor wages and food security. Some of the topics we discussed include: his work, addressing uncertainty, equity in research, and graduate school advice.

Learn more at: ioes.ucla.edu

Hannah Christian is the co-founder and product development manager of Habitat Botanicals, a Canadian-based eco-friendly bathroom essentials company. Amongst other things, she offers perspective on finding safer ingredients, owning a business while being a mom, and making sustainability for everybody.

Learn more at: https://habitatbotanicals.com/