In Their Words: Emma Clabby

emma-clabby-keeley.jpgName: Emma Clabby

College: Rachel Carson College

Department: Environmental Studies

What Award/Scholarship did you receive? I am a recipient of the 2019 Keeley Coastal Scholars Award.

What year do you expect to graduate? I expect to graduate after the Spring quarter of 2020.

Where do you call home? I grew up in a town called Pinole. It is located in the East Bay of Northern California.

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? I really admire UC Santa Cruz for their dedication to environmental sustainability and the research opportunities available in a coastal environment. I have an interest in agroecology and sustainable food systems, so their offering of that focus is really what made me want to be a Banana Slug and set UCSC apart from other colleges.

What is your field of focus? I have a focus in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems within the Environmental Studies major.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? Once I graduate I hope to get into the field of restoration. I aim to maintain and protect biodiversity to enhance and sustain ecosystem services of ecosystems. My end goal is to be an expert in restoration of agricultural systems and play a role in the transition to a future of sustainable food systems, whether it be locally or globally. I plan to get my Pest Control Advisor (PCA) license and become a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) in order to further achieve my goals after obtaining my undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? Becoming a part of a research team as an intern is a memorable moment for me here at UCSC. Through this experience I was able to make connections, network, and start a project of my own.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? I would recommend trying new things outside of your comfort zone, and doing internships that catch your interest. Both of these actions may potentially lead you to a career you have never considered and broaden your horizons within your time here at UCSC.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life/research? This award will allow me to start a research project on coastal sustainability. With this award I will be able to execute a greenhouse experiment on competitive release. The Keeley Coastal Scholars Award allows me funds to get supplies, rent greenhouse space, and do data analysis. I will study plant mechanisms and traits behind restoration within drought conditions. This is an important thing to consider as our planet’s temperatures continue to rise. Drought and extreme weather conditions are becoming more prevalent due to climate change and restoration methods may need to be altered to compensate. This award allows me to take a deeper look into understanding what can be done to preserve and restore ecosystems.

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