Interns 2021
Hi, my name is Yazmín (Yaz-mean) Lommel, I’m a first year master’s student in the Evolutionary Biology program at SDSU. I am studying the genetic differences between the barrel cacti Ferocactus gatesii and Ferocactus gracilis which are endemic to Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California. Some of my scientific interests include ethnobotany, rare plant monitoring, resource management, and ecology. My previous work experiences allowed me to work in vegetation management at Yosemite National Park in California and Glacier National Park in Montana. In my free time when I’m not botanizing, I enjoy rock climbing, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, and playing soccer.
Hello, My name is Reyna Sauza and I am a senior majoring in Marine Biology studying a rare and threatened binationally distributed plant called Salvia brandegeei. I am currently conducting vital research and gaining valuable laboratory experience with my plant by extracting DNA and performing genetic sequencing. I am interested in conserving and preserving our natural resources and habitats today and for future generations. My goal is to maintain a healthy planet by caring about the overall health of our ecosystems, oceans, and wildlife. In my free time, I enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, camping, playing with my cats and thrift shopping to help reduce my carbon footprint.
John Evans is a recent graduate who earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Cell and Molecular Biology. His interest in studying agriculture, GMOs, ecology, and environmental conservation has led him to pursue a specialized path in botany. Evans believes that botany is a unifying discipline that is applicable to agriculture, sustainability, and conservation. This internship is a perfect opportunity for undergraduates to explore their interest in plant biology; John describes it as, "priceless experience that helped me visualize my future". During this internship John was assigned a binational plant to study - in his case Lathyrus splendens - commonly referred to as the Campo pea or Pride of California. During this internship, John became an expert on all things Lathyrus splendens and researched population genetics across the border of the United States and Mexico. Evans continued to describe the internship as "A wonderful mix of fieldwork and lab work" which kept students engaged by avoiding the monotony of the lab. Pictured is John when he found his first population of Lathyrus splendens in the wild, after three hours of hiking and searching along the border.
John Evans was born and raised in San Diego and followed in his father's steps when he chose to attend SDSU for undergrad. John's other interests include rock climbing, yoga, having beach BBQs with friends and family, and taking care of the family dog or dog sitting for friends. In the future, he hopes to earn a master's, a Ph.D., and pursue a career that allows for work in the field as well as in the lab.
Hey! My name is Vincent Trang, I'm a San Diego native and going into my fourth year here at SDSU studying Biology. This summer I am working under the Binational studies program and conducting a research project centered around the population genetics of Quercus agrifolia, which is commonly known as Coast Live Oak. I must be honest, prior to this internship I really had no particular interest in botany, but my experiences in the field and lab have opened my eyes to a whole new fascinating world of science. Aside from botany however, my scientific interests include (but are not limited to); genetic modification, applications of CRISPR-Cas9, and conservation biology. Lastly, a fun fact about me! When I'm not studying Biology my favorite thing to do is to play guitar and jam with my friends (which usually involves playing sub-par covers of Weezer songs).
Eduardo Charvel is a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in Evolutionary Biology. His research interests involve computational biology, coevolution, and phylogenetics. He is usually studying host-parasite systems, but this summer he is researching Salvia pachyphylla, the Mountain Desert Rose Sage. He is interested in the binational distribution of the species found in Baja California, California, and Arizona. He is trying to delimitate the three defined subspecies of S. pachyphylla: erimopictus, pachyphylla, and meridionalis, using phylogenetic methods. He is also evaluating potential threats to the sage and petitioning Salvia pachyphylla ssp. meridionalis to be included in the Mexican protected species list. He is currently testing PCR primers that will allow for the identification of genes to be used in phylogenetic analysis.
Thomas Morales is going into his second year of his masters program. He is in the school of public health studying environmental health. This summer within the Binational Plant Distribution internship Morales has focused on studying Penstemon californicus which is a rare perennial plant that is endemic to the Southern half of the California floristic province. His main research interests include ethnobotanical research, conservation and preservation of natural areas, and water quality. I am interested in developing a seed bank for Western Shoshone Territory and across Indian Country. Growing native food crops and native medicines is of great interest to me now and moving forward.
Hello! My name is Paulina Arellano (she/her) and I just graduated this past May (2021) with a Bachelor's of Science in Marine Biology. My current project for this internship focuses on Agave shawii and its population distribution at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. I am interested in understanding where that population originated from, specifically if it is a clonal population meaning the plants have reproduced asexually. This leads to low genetic diversity because of a lack of pollination. I am currently doing DNA extractions, DNA purification, running gel electrophoresis, and PCR for various populations of Agave shawii.
My scientific interests include marine ecology, marine mammals, elasmobranchs, sea turtles, climate change, ocean acidification, algae blooms, and population genetics. My favorite part of this internship is that it is a perfect combination of fieldwork and lab work. I also really enjoy all the networking and exposure to different career paths in botany.
Fun Fact: After this internship I will be working for the California Department of Fish & Wildlife!
Hi, my name is Alex McElwee-Adame. I am a recent master's graduate from San Diego State University in the Flores-Renteria lab where my thesis focused on how multidirectional hybridization challenges the species barriers in the genus Arbutus of Mexico. Outside of research, I have been involved in several outreach programs aimed to increase diversity both at the undergraduate and graduate student level. After this program, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Evolution and Ecology with a goal of one day being a university level professor and establish a similar program to this one.
Fun fact: Before working with plants I used to work with marine life including prior research in a marine microbial lab and working at SeaWorld as an educator!