2024 JFSC Info

I work within complex, interactive and multidisciplinary systems that impact sustainability across our lands, people, and industries.  I am interested in shared land use strategies that creatively maximize benefits across these systems, such as agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics.  Additionally, I am interested in how existing tools (i.e. Community Benefit Agreements) can be leveraged to cultivate shared investment in project success, community wellbeing and land stewardship. At the core of my work is a passion to develop people across their lifespan, through diverse programs.  I strive to inspire others to broaden their knowledge, skills and influence to increase their value at work, home and within the community. Operating from the belief that synergy is at the core of all meaningful and sustainable community partnerships, I take pride in bringing diverse voices together, developing consensus and working strategically to achieve goals – and to make our little part of the world a better place.

Throughout my studies, I have gravitated toward energy and the environment. It started with an associate’s degree in Renewable Energy Systems Technology. This then morphed into my current undergraduate study in environmental science. In the future, it will likely become a J.D. in environmental/energy law. This focus on energy and the environment propelled me to join the 2024 John Freemuth Student Congress. I hope my cohort and I can work to understand some of the political nuances that frame the discussion around renewable energies so that we are better equipped to find collaborative solutions. Now is the time for us to begin grappling with these issues because it will not be long before we are needed to step forward and enact change.

Alexander Butler serves as the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Executive Assistant to the Regional Forester Team. Before working for the Forest Service, he kept food banks open in Washington State during the COVID-19 pandemic while working for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Prior to the pandemic, he served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the mountains of a small island in the Philippines. There, he taught English, remedial reading and was a track and athletic coach at a public high school.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. He will earn a Master of Public Administration, with a focus on Natural Resources Policy and Administration, from Portland State University this Spring. In the Fall, he will earn a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Community Resilience, also from Portland State University. To unwind, he enjoys backpacking in the backcountry, hiking, traveling, running, attending concerts, and playing video games next to his cat, Pendleton.

Megan is a rising third-year student at the University of California, Berkeley, studying Political Science with double minors in Public Policy and Conservation & Resource Studies. Her passion lies in connecting the intersection between environmental law and foreign policy to deepen her understanding of the international systems that govern our modern world. As a California native, she is especially interested in the topics of water rights as well as ensuring equitable access to clean energy, and she has pursued this further through advocacy for environmental justice. She is an Associate Producer on Climate Break, a podcast hosted by Berkeley Law’s Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment, that is focused on providing climate progress stories and innovative climate solutions that are currently being explored. Through the John Freemuth Student Congress, she is excited to grow her policy-writing skills and for the opportunity to collaborate with students all around the country. 

My name is Aaron Louis Cobas and I have been given the incredible opportunity to attend the 2024 John Freemuth Student Congress in Las Vegas, NV. Currently, I am working towards my Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree from Colorado State University. Before my time at CSU, I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Environmental Policy from Humboldt State University (since then renamed Cal Poly Humboldt). After my undergraduate career I explored new areas to help defend our public lands. The summer after graduation I helped the non-profit organization Oregon Wild that focused on environmental issues in the East Cascade region in Bend, OR. For two years I worked as a state park ranger for the New Mexico State Parks. In Fall of 2022, I began my graduate degree career with Colorado State University. Looking forward to the conference in October.

My name is Maia Cuddy. I am a sophomore at the University of Idaho double majoring in environmental science and conservation biology. I am working as an intern for the Idaho Tree Ring Lab and am currently conducting research concerning the climate chronology of eastern hemlock. I am extremely passionate about conservation and the environment and aim to become an impactful climatologist. I also love making ecological inspired artwork that educates individuals about nature and climate change.

As a graduating Senior at Florida A&M University, Kole Fortson’s journey is marked by remarkable accomplishments and profound influence. At FAMU, he has shown an unwavering commitment to environmental studies and policy. Serving as the Internal Development Committee Chairman for the 53rd Student Senate and earning recognition as Freshman Senator of the Year for the 52nd Student Senate, Kole has been pivotal in shaping campus discourse. His involvement in organizations like the FAMU Sustainability Club and prestigious achievements such as the Blacks in Marine Science Tidal Wave Scholar and Department of Energy MSIPP Intern highlight his dedication to environmental advocacy. Beyond academia, Kole’s engagement with groups like Habitat for Humanity and the United Way demonstrates his broader commitment to community service and social impact. As he approaches graduation, Kole leaves a legacy characterized by excellence, compassion, and meaningful contributions to his university and community.

Josefina Hajek-Herrera is a first-year Renewable and Sustainable Energy Masters Student at MENV, CU Boulder, focusing on public procurement of renewables. With a background in business management, startup development, community engagement, and renewable energy, she is interested in the intersection of equity and climate goals. She currently works as a graduate student consultant for ICLEI USA focusing on sustainable and circular local government procurement of energy. With Josefina’s experience in energy markets and modeling, energy procurement, and business development she is excited to be a part of and contribute to engaging discussions at the John Freemuth Student Congress.

Molly Hoffman is a recent graduate of Gettysburg College. She earned two BAs in Environmental Studies and Public Policy and developed a passion for public land policy. Molly recently presented her Honors Thesis, Reasserting an Indigenous Presence in a US National Park: The Role of Yellowstone Bison, at the American Association of Geographer’s Annual Meeting. She also completed a public policy capstone project that analyzed the Bureau of Land Management’s new Renewable Energy Rule and Public Lands Rule. Outside the classroom, Molly was the Program Coordinator of Partnerships for Sustainability and developed sustainable policies and programs to meet Gettysburg College’s carbon neutrality goals. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ NextGen Council which seeks to make resilient and inclusive public lands. In her free time, Molly enjoys reading, gardening, and sewing.

Connor Hughes is a third-year law student at Berkeley Law interested in land use and energy regulatory law and policy. After graduating from Berkeley as an undergraduate and receiving a master’s in economics abroad in Germany, he has focused on renewable energy and environmental policy in law school. Through working experience with GRID Alternatives, Xcel Energy, and the California Public Utilities Commission, he has gained an understanding of renewable energy transactions, administrative proceedings, and consumer advocacy. After this school year, he will be working on energy regulatory work at a law firm in San Francisco and hopes to be part of the required nationwide effort to transition our grid towards clean energy.

2nd year PhD student
Ecology, evolution, & behavior (EEB)
Boise State University
De Graaff Lab
Academic Degrees:
Master by research in Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia (2010)
Bachelor in Geology, Shiraz University, Iran (2004)
Previous Research
Trace element soil contamination from smelters in the Illawarra region, New South Wales, Australia.
Current Research
Biochar amendment to improve soil properties, native plants growth, and offset greenhouse gas emissions in forest ecosystems disturbed by mining practices across the United States.
Focusing on:

• Assessing metal contamination of soils before and after.
• Other soil chemical & physical properties.
• Microbial composition change assessments.
• Modelling runoffs to waterbodies.
• Plant uptake by tissue tests.

Future career focuses:

Continue research on innovative solutions for soil management with focusing on
contaminants.
Environmental monitoring & assessments of contaminants.
Data analysis & modeling of contaminant movements.
Soil conservation research & practices with focusing on soil erosion.
Watershed management.

Christopher Kent is a forward-thinking renewable energy specialist with a passion for sustainability and innovation. Armed with a Master’s degree in Renewable and Sustainable Energy from the University of Colorado Boulder, Christopher possesses a comprehensive understanding of energy systems, technologies, and policies.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management from The Pennsylvania State University, Christopher brings a unique blend of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to the table. His leadership roles within Delta Tau Delta and as a Thon Team Captain highlight his collaborative nature and dedication to community engagement. Christopher’s professional experience includes roles such as Clean Energy Ordinance Research Project Contractor at Siting Clean Collaborative and Climate, Resilience & Sustainability Sr. Intern at WSP USA. In these positions, he demonstrated his ability to compile and analyze data effectively, contributing to the development of robust tools and strategies for accelerating clean energy adoption. With a track record of success in data-driven problem-solving, project management, and stakeholder collaboration, Christopher Kent is poised to drive meaningful change in the renewable energy sector and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Natalie Lopez is a Junior at the University of Southern California pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Master in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology. She is originally from Imperial Valley, CA, where the surrounding issues of environmental injustice and yet a flourishing renewable energy industry sparked her passion for an equitable energy transition. She is currently employed as a Research Assistant at USC Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. She analyzes Climate Communication trends and, most notably, was the Associate Producer of the podcast Electric Futures, which tells the stories of communities most impacted by the energy transition. In her free time she enjoys running, traveling, and learning new languages.

In 2023, I graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Policy & Planning. As a Marketing Intern for the Mattress Recycling Council in Washington, D.C., I facilitated mattress recycling initiatives in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and California. Following graduation, I interned at Congressman Pete Aguilar’s District Office, assisting constituents and coordinating with the House Democratic Caucus Chair. I handled casework intake and participated in Community Project Funding presentations and press conferences. I aspire to work in environmental law, urban & regional planning, or public land management. I plan to join the San Bernardino planning commission and pursue a PhD studying the relationship between public civic engagement, education, and sustainable urban planning.

My name is Marwa Mahmoud and I am a second-year master’s student in the School of the Environment at Washington State University. Prior to graduate school, I worked for many land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the US Forest Service, pursuing research on a variety of topics including regeneration in post-fire landscapes, aquatic ecology, carnivore distribution, and community engagement. My master’s research focuses on the Sierra Nevada red fox (SNRF), an endemic mountain fox in Oregon and California. I am working with a variety of stakeholders and citizen scientists in Oregon to document SNRF and provide a state-wide contemporary distribution of the species to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. I will also be identifying drivers of distribution for the species. I am interested in solving natural resource issues that lie at the intersection of policy, science, and conservation of species, spaces, and human values.

Mike is a third-year law student at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, focusing on Energy and Environmental Law. Mike grew up in rural Vermont, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, recreating outside, and spending time with family. After high school, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont, where he studied Business Administration and Sustainable Landscape Horticulture. After college he spent several years travelling while working and volunteering on farms. He then returned to Vermont to study Energy and Environmental Law, and he is currently in his third and final year of law school. He lives with his wife, Danielle, and his cat, Spencer. Mike is excited and honored to be a part of the John Freemuth Student Congress to help analyze critical issues associated with public lands policy and the transition to renewable energy. He hopes to build his career around this type of work.

Dominique Nault is a member of the Chippewa Cree tribe located in Rocky Boy Montana and obtained her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and a double minor in Climate Change Studies and Journalism from the University of Montana. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sustainable Development Practices from SIT Graduate Center with an emphasis on Indigenous knowledge systems and continues to work towards building a sustainable future through her research on environmental policies, climate change solutions, and economics.

Gabriela Peralta is a current master’s student in CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program. Her specialization is sustainability in the outdoor industry, and she is focusing on sustainable supply chains. Upon graduation, she aims to work with suppliers in reducing environmental impacts and improving the livelihood of local communities. She believes in the importance of a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy to assist in reducing environmental impacts of business, and is excited to learn more during student congress! Gabriela has thru-hiked over 3,000 miles, she loves sci-fi books, her plants, and is an avid New York Times recipe follower.

My name is Estella Percarpio, a senior at Northern Arizona University, studying Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Modern Languages with an emphasis in German. I was born and raised in Colorado, which is where my passion for environmental advocacy was ignited. To deepen my understanding of ecology within the interdisciplinary context of the German work environment, I interned at an evolutionary ecology lab at the University of Konstanz in Germany. There, I carried out an experiment to examine how irregular microplastic disturbances affect the interactions within a predator-prey system and add more data to the concept of indirect evolutionary rescue. Unsure whether to pursue research or policymaking, I’ve applied to the John Freemuth Student Congress to explore policy shaping and help determine my career path. I am eager to delve into the topic of renewable energy development on public lands and grateful to have this opportunity.

Sierra is a graduate student at Boise State University attaining her Masters of Biology. She was inspired to pursue her degree due to her love of animals and nature; she believes the earth is beautiful, and that there are many lessons to learn from the natural world around us. Sierra’s feelings of connectedness to nature inspire her not only to work at conserving it for future generations, but at also fostering an attitude of love and appreciation for the planet and all its life. After graduation, Sierra hopes to apply her passion, skills, and attitude to make a difference. It is important for her to have a job that allows her to constantly learn, grow, and engage with the community that she is part of. Currently she is interested in the fields of agriculture, conservation and restoration, natural resources management, and human-environment systems.

Camellia Schwartzman is a senior at Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) majoring in Physics with a minor in Environmental Studies. With a background in formal research on materials for renewable energy having spent three summers researching microgrid simulation hardware,
nanowires for energy storage, and polymer catalysts, domestically and abroad, she plans on pursuing a research career in renewable energy. As a captain of the Macalester Solar District Cup Team the past two years, she has had first hand experience with all aspects of solar and battery storage development. Last year, she also attended the UNFCCC COP28 and focused her research on sustainable development and a just energy transition. She looks forward to bringing her technical background in energy to the Student Congress and learn more about the implications of a fast-tracking of solar on public lands. In her free time, she plays the oboe, tennis, and enjoys reading and crafting.

Victoria is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science with a focus in Geology with a minor in Data Science at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Victoria grew up in the metropolis area where the border of the US and Mexico
meet and cultures combine which have provided her with a unique perspective on international relations on environmental issues. After obtaining her Bachelor’s, she plans on doing a Ph.D. and hopes to ultimately work in the science-based side of environmental policy with organizations
such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or using her geology background on projects at NASA. Currently, she is an undergraduate researcher at UTEP’s Systems Ecology Lab where she contributes to ecological studies on the changing Arctic given global warming.