Episode Description:

In the fifth episode of Season 5, Monica sits down with Dr. David Rebanal, associate professor of public health at San Francisco State University, and Rizelle Jugarap, a master’s student researcher at San Francisco State. Together, they share insight from the Reclaiming Nature project. The project is a study that brought young people from Black, Latine, and Filipinx communities into the redwoods to explore whether walking among these ancient trees could reduce stress and even improve cellular health.

With the support of Save the Redwoods League, participants had the chance to walk in the redwoods at Peter’s Creek and reclaim nature for themselves. Alongside the research, Rizelle and Dr. Rebanal reflect on moments of resistance turned into joy, and the hope that more people can experience the healing influence of the redwoods. This episode reminds us that redwoods are not silent, instead they guide us towards connection, resilience, and reclaiming something within ourselves.

Guest Bio:

Dr. R. David Rebanal is a co-investigator of the Reclaiming Nature project. He is an Associate Professor of Public Health in the College of Health and Social Sciences at San Francisco State University. His research objective focuses on building evidence for policy and population-level interventions focused on structural and social determinants of health inequities. He conducts epidemiological research and mixed-methods evaluations, with a focus on social and political determinants of racial health inequities. He is also a Co-Investigator with a team of BIPOC SF State researchers funded by NIH to study anti-racist healing in nature program for urban Black, Latinx, Filipinx, and Pacific Islander young adults by measuring biomarkers of stress and other psychosocial factors. He is Affiliate Faculty at the SFSU Health Equity Institute.

Rizelle Jugarap is a 2nd year Master's student studying Cell and Molecular Biology at San Francisco State University. She has previously also worked on the Reclaiming Nature, Hood to Woods Project as an undergraduate student and research technician/ Student Insider Researcher (SIIR) Coordinator. In her free time, Rizelle enjoys drawing and going to Pilates. Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizelle-jugarap/