Alumni Stories

Bren Alumni Spotlight – Richard Montes Lemus, MEDS 2026

A spark of inspiration at a UCSB hackathon set Richard Montes Lemus (MEDS ’26) on a path toward environmental data science. Now an Associate Consultant at Ramboll, he shares how MEDS, conservation research, and Bren alumni connections helped him build a career combining coding, ecology, and fieldwork.

Marie Rivers posing with her dog on a pier

Bren Alumni Spotlight – Marie Rivers, MEDS 2022

From delivering clean drinking water to mapping opportunities for clean energy, Marie Rivers (MEDS ’22) puts data to work for a more sustainable future. In this alumni spotlight, she shares how MEDS opened new career possibilities and what goes into finding the right places for renewable energy.

MEDS students at the 2022 faculty review.

Why Do Wind and Solar Projects End Up Where They Do?

Four Bren School students turned a capstone project into a peer-reviewed study, revealing the key factors driving utility-scale wind and solar siting across the U.S. and informing future clean energy planning.

Bren Alumni Spotlight – Nicole Pepper, MEDS 2025

Nicole Pepper (MEDS 2025) turns satellite data into maps and visual stories at SkyTruth, helping regulators, journalists, and advocates uncover environmental threats worldwide and act to better protect the planet.

Half of Earth as seen from space, showing the illuminated day side and the shadowed night side against a dark background.

Satellites Collect the Data. Bren Alum Casey O'Hara Wants to Know What It's Worth to People.

UCSB researchers explore how Earth science information generates societal, environmental, and economic value, redefining how we measure the true impact of scientific data.

View through pine trees of Lake Tahoe with forested mountains and a clear blue sky.

Bren Alumni Lead the Charge to Keep Tahoe Blue

Bren School alumni lead Keep Tahoe Blue environmental organization, applying UC Santa Barbara's interdisciplinary science education to protect Lake Tahoe through innovative conservation programs, policy advocacy, and sustainable recreation solutions.

Jennifer DuBuisson Senior Director, Sustainability @ Levi

Bren Alumna Jennifer DuBuisson Leads Fashion Industry Decarbonization Initiative at Levi Strauss & Co.

Bren alumna Jennifer DuBuisson leads Levi's LEAP initiative with Schneider Electric, transitioning 70 Indian garment suppliers to renewable energy, targeting 70% fashion industry emissions reduction through collaborative sustainability strategies.

Guillermo Escobar, MEDS 2023

Guillermo Escobar (MEDS 2023) is a Data Scientist at SIG-NAL, where he develops geospatial tools and AI-driven models to support wildfire mitigation, climate resilience, and sustainable land use.

Dana Jennings, MESM 2012

Dana Jennings (MESM 2012) is Associate Director of Net Zero Strategy at Anthesis Group, where she helps tech companies measure emissions, set climate goals, and build sustainability programs.

Colleen McCamy, MEDS 2023

Colleen McCamy (MEDS 2023) worked at Silicon Valley Clean Energy before (and during!) her time at Bren but transitioned to her Associate Data Scientist role after graduating and having a conversation about how she could contribute her new MEDS skills.