Student Bios

My name is Evan Alvarado, I am a student currently studying parks and recreation management at East Tennessee State University. On the side I am a volunteer firefighter, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and an avid kayaker. I am interested in wildland fire because it is a perfect mesh of two things, I deeply care about; the outdoors and firefighting. I look forward to learning more about the subject and bringing my knowledge back home to East Tennessee to share with my classmates and fellow firefighters.

My name is Maria Anastacio, and I am from Dallas, TX. I recently graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX where I received my bachelors in Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Conservation science. During my undergraduate time I was able to gain hands on experiences with wildlife and the outdoors that solidified my passion for conservation and protecting public lands. I am pursing an M.S in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlife Science and Management at Texas Tech University. I hope to find a career where I can educate the public on land management strategies, primarily people to lack access to public areas.

Rebecca Cox is a recent graduate from Wellesley College in Environmental Studies and Studio Art. With a background in scientific research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and with the Sea Education Association, her focus has been primarily on marine biology and ecology. Her experience at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant introduced her to managerial questions regarding marine ecosystems, and enabled her to refine her academic and professional focus to environmental management. She looks forward to investigating first-hand the problems facing terrestrial ecosystems and broadening her knowledge of land management through the John Freemuth Student Congress. A lover of scientific research and fieldwork, Rebecca is eager to gain exposure to and experience in new types of experimental work in the field during her time in Idaho.

Jacob graduated from Boise State University’s School of Public Service, earning a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Studies. His research interests include water governance, public lands, Indigenous resilience, climate extremes, and social-ecological systems across the western U.S. His most recent research delves into the socio-ecological and political economy of the Snake River and Colorado River Basins’. Specifically, Jacob discussed water policy frameworks, current and future management regimes, environmental justice, and the hydrologic conditions of watersheds. He is also engaged with NGOs to update water quality data for Idaho State Parks, ensuring public waterways are safe for recreational use. Jacob is a research assistant for the Transformation Network, which aims to build resilient communities and ecosystems throughout the Intermountain Western landscapes, with Indigenous emphasis. Jacob is pursuing an M.S. in Environment and Society at Utah State University.

Betsy Black is a biology MS student at Northern Arizona University advised by Michelle Mack and Xanthe Walker. Her research investigates the effects of a widespread shift in forest composition on wildfire carbon combustion in the boreal forests of Alaska and the Yukon. Prior to beginning her graduate research, Betsy encountered wildfires while working as a park ranger at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii and while interning at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Betsy grew up in upstate New York, received her BA in biology from Amherst College, and immensely enjoys—but is terrible at—recreational botanizing.

Cameron is a senior at Boise State University studying anthropology, environmental studies, and Native American studies. She is originally from Sheridan, Wyoming, and is passionate about the outdoors and the environment. She is interested in the intersection of conservation, land management, and working with stakeholders. She recognizes the importance of empowering local communities to help meet conservation and land management goals. After graduation, she hopes to work at an environmental nonprofit or at a state agency. In her free time, Cameron enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, skiing, and traveling.

Clara is a recent graduate of Boise State University with a degree in Biology emphasizing in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. She is a Fisheries Technician for the U.S. Forest Service on the Salmon-Challis National Forest where she carries out the mission of sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the forest’s fisheries to meet the needs of present and future generations. Her current research is focused on the jumping ability of wild age-0 Brook Trout and she is working toward publishing her findings to aid fisheries management efforts in mitigating non-native species introduction.

Anna Crabtree is a junior at Ohio University where she is double majoring in environmental studies and mechanical engineering. As a Russ Legacy Cutler Scholar and member of the Honors Tutorial College, she has received support to engage in volunteer work with NorthWoods Stewardship Center as a youth conservation corp leader and intern with Outdoor Pursuits as a trip leader for university students. It is through these experiences that she discovered her passion for land stewardship, environmental education, and wonder. After college she plans to travel and engage in opportunities that serve her passion for conservation, increase her knowledge of various ecosystems, and provide the ability to educate and foster a sense of wonder in herself and others.

I’m Carolina Estrella. I was born in Ketchum, ID and line in Hailey, ID. I grew up in an immigrant household with my first language being Spanish. I enjoyed camping with my family every summer in the Sawtooths which helped me gain an interest in the outdoors at a young age. I am currently going to Wellesley College and am pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies.

Alyssa Farnes is a Senior at Idaho State University where she is majoring in Earth and Environmental Systems with a concentration in Geospatial Information Systems. She is employed at the ISU GIS Training and Research Center as a GIS Technician researching how to use satellite remote sensing and GIS to identify vulnerabilities in the power grid due to wildfire. This project will contribute to the completion of her Honors Senior Thesis. Growing up in Eastern Idaho meant close access to beautiful National Forests and Parks that fostered her love of public lands and the desire to preserve them. Alyssa aspires to later complete a master’s degree and pursue a career researching public lands, Earth observation, and science communication. She is the Vice President of the ISU Geology Club and enjoys spending her free time hiking, practicing photography, and playing the piano.

Megan Gulik is a senior at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where she is majoring in Forestry with a concentration in Wildlife Habitat Management and Conservation. Megan is involved in a several registered student organizations at SIU including Forestry Club, the Society of American Foresters SIUC Student Chapter, and the SIU Firedawgs. She has training in fire management and has volunteered on many prescribed burns with the Firedawgs as well as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Megan aspires to pursue a career in fire and fuels management with a federal land management agency in the US. In her free time, she enjoys spending time the great outdoors camping, fishing, hiking, and kayaking.

Adam Lohman is a second-year graduate student at Duke University pursuing dual Master’s Degrees in Forestry and Environmental Management. After completing an undergraduate degree in Theater Studies at Yale University, he spent three legislative sessions working in the Oregon Legislature on forestry, wildfire, and climate policy. He recently completed an assistantship studying and reporting on natural climate solutions with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. He spent the last summer interning with the U.S. Forest Service in California and researching fuel breaks for the Edison Electric Institute. After graduating, he hopes to continue his career in public service at a government agency, working to translate sound science into effective policy. He is especially interested in forestry, wildfire, and conservation policy and enjoys baking in his spare time.

Bradley Massey is a Forestry major with a concentration in Forest Management at Alabama A&M University, where he currently serves as the school’s Forestry Club President. He is from Huntsville, AL. and is a recent recipient for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and in the great outdoors, by going hunting and fishing. He recently received all his certifications to become a Type 2 wildland firefighter through the US Forest Service and is an active participant with the university’s student led wildland fire crew AAMU Firedawgs.

Eliza Moreno was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to a mother from Mazatlán, Mexico and to a father from Santa Ana, El Salvador. She earned her B.A. in Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies with a minor in Global Health in 2018 from Duke University. Her strong interests in social impact and equitable change have not only guided her academically, but also professionally. Upon graduating from Duke, Eliza has worked at various mission-driven organizations, such as the ACLU in the education sector. Eliza Moreno earned her M.A. in Latin American Studies with a specialization on the environment, ecology and sustainability from Stanford University in 2022. Today, Eliza continues to interrogate racial, gender and environmental intersections with Belle Haven Action, an environmental justice organization in the Bay Area.

Nicholas Silvis is a Mathematical Economics and Public Policy double major with a minor in Environmental Studies who has particular interests in environmental economics and policy. Although relatively new to the world of wildfire management and policy, he is excited to learn and connect with leaders in the field. An avid outdoorsman, Nick enjoys trail running, climbing, obstacle racing, and kayaking. He currently lives in Hershey, PA.

I’m a master’s student in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. My research focuses on understanding (mis)alignments in conservation planning tools in the Southeastern U.S. and incorporating species distribution models to inform open pine prioritization tools. I grew up in Savannah, Missouri and earned degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies at Truman State University in 2016. Additionally, I earned a certificate in GIS for Natural Resources from Utah State University in 2019. Before arriving at MSU, I worked on a national wildlife refuge in Massachusetts, a national park science network in Missouri, and with the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture in Nebraska. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or birding, and indoors playing board games, trivia, and enjoying live music at local venues. You may also catch me daydreaming about restoring tallgrass prairie and oak savanna for grassland birds.

My name is Connor Tobin, and I am originally from Los Angeles, CA. I am a senior at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where I am majoring in biology and minoring in history. I spent the summer of 2022 working as a research tech for a professor who was running various grassland ecology studies. I spent the two preceding summers working as a wildland firefighter. My first season was down in Grants Pass, Oregon on a contract crew, and my second season was with the Spokane District BLM, based out of Wenatchee, WA. After graduating I plan to spend at least a few more years working as a firefighter, and then I hope to move into a policy or research position within the field. My main hobbies are backpacking – I hiked the PCT in 2017 and have done several other thru hikes – and playing jazz guitar.

Kyle Trefny (he/him) is a firefighter, organizer, economics student, and published visual artist with work in national exhibitions, reaching tens of millions of people. At the University of Oregon, Kyle is helping create spaces for student community, advocacy, and awareness about fire, and outside he works as the Development Coordinator for the nonprofit organization Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE). Kyle was raised in the Bay Area and has a background in wildlife education, conservation, and climate justice efforts. When he’s not busy, Kyle enjoys reading, studying Chinese, and going on up to two hundred mile walks.

Evie is a Master of Environmental Science and Management candidate at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School. Originally from Minneapolis, Evie grew up adventuring about the Northwoods, which inspired his interests in forest conservation. After graduating from Whitman College with a degree in Economics-Environmental Studies, he held various finance and ESG jobs before working for a forestry company in Portland, Oregon. In 2020, Evie left his job to focus on conservation and environmental justice work and pursue his master’s degree. He currently serves as a board chair and the treasurer for 350PDX, a Portland-based environmental justice nonprofit. At Bren, Evie is specializing in conservation planning and participating in the program’s sustainable forestry fellowship. He also contributes to research work with UCSB’s Earth Research Institute. As a National Forest Foundation Fellow last summer, Evie identified opportunities and investments to optimize the utilization of forest restoration byproducts in the northern Blue Mountains.

Nicholas Welsh is a senior at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. He is majoring in a BS of Environmental Science. In college he spends his time split between the major, Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue, and Army ROTC at the University of Vermont. After college, he intends to move to Colorado and work in the fire service and the National Park Service. Through the college’s student led fire and rescue department, he has been able to get a basis for emergency service which has paired well with topics such as environmental hazards such as wildfires taught through the major. He hopes to gain knowledge from this conference to bring back to his dept. and utilize in the future.

My name is Kevin Williams, and I recently received an associate degree in geology from the College of Western Idaho. I am also working towards a GIS certificate. I have had the opportunity to work in a number of industries including ski resort operations, bicycle mechanics, and was also a technician in the biomedical field. I enjoy learning about remote sensing and everything we can learn from satellite imagery as well as drone technology. I am an FAA certified UAS pilot and hope to be able to use drones in my work in the future.

Alyssa Worsham graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science in 2016. She has 6 years of experience working as a planner in environmental consulting in both Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. Her work involves GIS mapping and technical writing for environmental documentation (CEQA, SEPA, and NEPA). She is currently a second-year graduate student at Western Colorado University in the Master’s of Environmental Management program. She is in the Integrated and Public Lands Management track and her master’s project is titled “Decision-Making Processes and Policy Implications for Fire Management in Designated Wilderness”. The project will use surveys and interviews of public land managers to gather information on current plans, policies, and practices for fire management within wilderness areas to create universal, comprehensive policy recommendations that can be applied across agencies. Additionally, Alyssa is an enthusiastic outdoor recreationist including rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, and backpacking.