Gabriella Carvajal: Graduated 2014 – majored in Ecosystems and Human Impact and minored in Geospatial Sciences. Before graduation, Gabrielle worked in Dr. Pochron’s Ecotoxicology lab studying the effects of acid rain on earthworm biomass, as well as restoring eelgrass beds to Long Island and participated in a marine mammal stranding and husbandry internship. In the summer of 2014, she interned at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Marine Program. Her interests include ecosystem-based management, cetacean behavior and ecology, mapping, and identifying tropical fish. In 2013, she studied abroad in Madagascar learning about lemur conservation and the island’s unique diversity. She was inspired by these experiences and wants to work with small scale fishing coastal communities in developing nations. Gabby is now completing her masters in Marine Conservation and Policy in SoMAS which will equip her with the knowledge and tools to attain a position in her field.
Tom Bruno: Graduated in 2014 with a major in Coastal Environmental Studies and a double minor in Geospatial Sciences and Geology. Since graduation Tom has worked for the National Park Service through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) doing invasive plant management and horticulture work in Washington D.C. He is currently working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through the SCA in southern New Jersey on several resilience projects and wildlife management. Additionally, Tom is taking an online graduate class on Structured Decision Methods in Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut. Tom plans to continue working in natural resource management with a focus to protect and restore coastal habitats.
Alexandra Santiago: Graduated in 2013 with an Environmental Studies Major and Environmental Humanities Minor. She was selected out of over 60 applicants to receive the 2012 UUP Undergraduate Scholarship Award. Among her many activities and accomplishments, Alexandra participated in The “Global Water Brigades”, raising money and travelling to Honduras to dig trenches and lay pipeline to bring clean water to villagers. She also Spent time in Tanzania with the anthropology department’s study abroad program and visited the Maasai, an indigenous culture of cattle herders, to learn about their culture. The program allowed her to explore both rural and urban communities and was a wonderful experience.
Aaron Cuison: Graduated in 2013 with a double major in Sustainability Studies and Environmental Studies. Aaron is currently working at the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, a bi-state organization comprised of over 800 organizations with ties to regional waterways. He is a consultant on their newest initiative, the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) program. WEDG is a guiding tool and evaluation system, similar in structure to LEED, but focused on waterfront development that promotes and balances resiliency, ecology, and access. Aaron has learned the importance of perseverance and diversity in the post college world. In the two years since his graduation, he has worn many hats at various positions and has gained much experience that has proved invaluable.
Kellie Woznick: Graduated in 2014 with an Environmental Design, Policy & Planning major. Since graduating she has been working full time in the Stony Brook University Procurement office saving up for graduate school. She plans to enroll in graduate school by the Fall of 2016 working toward a master’s in Geospatial Science. She currently volunteers at the Smithtown Animal Shelter and has contacted several parks and recreation centers in Suffolk County to volunteer over the summer. Last month she met with a group of local town planners to find out more about finding a position in the field of urban planning, and to make connections with people in the field. She will begin an internship for the Commissioner of the Planning Department this month.
Comments from some of the students who attended the Sustainability Studies Alumni Earthstock Panel, April 22, 2015
“The alumni panel taught me to network and maintain connections with faculty and other students.”
“I learned that not having a conventional career path is not only completely fine, but also common.”
“I learned to surround myself with people I want to be like.”
“I really enjoyed being able to discuss environmental policy with one of the panelists after the discussion.”
“It was very interesting to hear about the importance of GIS.”
“They were talking about how the path after graduation will not be easy, nor straight, yet everything you do will help you reach your end goals.”
