Organizers and leaders | Fellows | Alumni

Organizers and leaders:

Peggy G. Lemaux

My research interests focus on understanding and improving crop plants, particularly cereals. My position at UC Berkeley involves not only performing research but also includes interacting with the public. Those outreach efforts aim to enlighten those who would listen about food, agriculture and the role genetics have and will play in those areas

     CLEAR is allowing me to realize a dream I have had for many years to interest students in communicating with the public on issues relating to what we scientists do and why – and challenging science denial. I hope to pass on what I have learned from doing this to the next generation of scientists.

Jason Kyle Avalos

Magnets. How do they work? My research focuses on magnetotactic bacteria, bacteria with the unique ability to integrate the Earth’s magnetic field into their movement, and how these amazing organisms navigate and interact with their environment. I’m a current PhD candidate within the Plant and Microbial Biology department at UC Berkeley. I help organize PubScience, a monthly even where we invite speakers from all walks of life to present a scientific topic to the public. These events are always free and open to the public, and subjects range research on plant defenses to methods of studying extraterrestrial presence and everything in between.

Fellows:

Alexa Nicolas

I studied Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, I committed myself to the public facing side of science trying careers in science museums, education, publishing, and writing for a non-profit. While my commitment to communicating science is unwavering, I realized I wanted to be asking questions and conducting research toward a greater understanding of our environment. 

     As a graduate student in microbiology, I sample soil to understand what microorganisms live in the most fundamental component of our food system and how they coexist. With CLEAR, I can compliment my scientific self by extending my work and intimate understandings of the environment to folks of all different backgrounds and relationships to the planet.  

Alexander Jaffe

I am a second-year graduate student in PMB interested in environmental microbiology, ecology, and metagenomics. I received my bachelor’s degree at Harvard University, where I was a research assistant in the Losos lab. Through CLEAR, I am excited to pursue my interests in science communication, sustainable agriculture, and food policy.

Alex Styer

The true measure of agriculture shouldn’t be measured in yield, but in the health of the land and the people supported by it. I’m interested in CLEAR because solving the scientific problems of agriculture represent just half the solutions; the other half lie in thoughtful policy, industry, and consumer decisions. As scientists, we have a responsibility to not only put in the time in the lab or field, but also to help legislators, industries, and consumers make the best decisions to ensure the health of both land and people.

Alyssa Anderson

I love everything about food! I enjoy growing it, cooking it, and eating it. The best part, however, is talking about food and how technology can benefit our current agricultural practices. As a 4th year PhD student at UC Berkeley I study how corn deals with environmental stresses, like drought and heat. As the climate changes, it is essential that we understand these systems. With CLEAR I hope to engage the public on the benefits and dangers surrounding these pressing issues.