2025 MEDS Capstone Project Presentations
Master of Environmental Data Science capstone projects are completed in collaboration with a client partner to advance data-driven solutions to environmental problems. The MEDS Class of 2025 will present eight Capstone Projects on Friday, May 30, from 1:00pm to 4:15pm Pacific Time. This event will be held in-person on the UC Santa Barbara campus in Bren Hall 1414, and streamed live online. This event is open to the public, both in-person and online. Registration is not required for online or in person attendance.
Watch the livestream of all presentations here starting May 30 at 1:00pm.
SCHEDULE
- 1:00 - 1:10pm: Dean's Welcome & Session 1 Introduction
- 1:10 - 1:30pm: Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Global Seafood Production; Stephen Carroll, Carmen Hoyt, Joshua Mull, Nicole Pepper
- 1:30 - 1:50pm: Assessing Range Shifts of Coastal Species to Inform Conservation in California’s Biogeographic Transition Zones; Ian Morris-Sibaja, Amanda Overbye, Jordan Sibley, Matteo Torres
- 1:50 - 2:10pm: Evaluating the Protection of Diverse and Representative Coastal and Marine Habitats within MPA Network; Madison Enda, Bailey Jorgenson, Michelle Yiv
- 2:10 - 2:30pm: Visualizing Urban Water Data for Drought Management Across California; Thomas Gibbens-Matsuyama, Emma Mitchell, Karol Paya, Takeen Shamloo
- 2:30 - 2:50pm: Break
- 2:50 - 2:55pm Session 2 Introduction
- 2:55 - 3:15pm: Remote Sensing of Brush Clearance to Enhance Wildfire Preparedness; Josh Cohen, Ryan Green, Leilanie Rubinstein, Rachel Swick
- 3:15 - 3:35pm: Industrial Energy Efficiency Data Explorer: A Data-Driven Support Tool for Industrial Energy Modelers; Naomi Moraes, Eva Newby, Oksana Protsukha, Yoselyn Ramirez
- 3:35 - 3:55pm: Identifying Justice40 Communities Based on Cumulative Environmental Burdens; Josephine Cardelle, Kat Le, Haylee Oyler, Kimberlee Wong
- 3:55 - 4:15pm: Modeling the Impact of Decarbonization on Labor in California’s Central Coast; Brooke Grazda, Marina Kochuten, Elizabeth Peterson
- 4:15 - 5:30pm: Reception in the Bren Hall Michael J. Connell Courtyard
Master of Environmental Data Science Capstone Project Presentation Day: A Welcome by Dean Steve Gaines
I’m pleased to invite you to the 4th annual Capstone Project Final Presentations, showcasing projects completed by the Bren School Master of Environmental Data Science Class of 2025. Over the course of five months, students work in teams with two faculty advisors who monitor progress, provide technical assistance and expertise, and evaluate the project. This hands-on experience prepares Bren graduates to be leaders in solving the environmental problems of the 21st century.
The Master of Environmental Data Science (MEDS) program offers an applied problem-solving and solution-oriented curriculum that prepares students with skills to work with, analyze, and communicate environmental data.
MEDS Capstone Projects train students to work as a team while they conduct comprehensive analyses of current environmental issues. Students partner with clients to define the scope of a real-world environmental problem, then contribute to a solution through data processing, analysis, and development of data products.
The Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara continues to play a leading role in researching environmental issues, identifying and solving environmental problems, and training research scientists and environmental-management professionals. The Bren School continues to be impressed by the depth of knowledge displayed by our students. I hope you will join us for this fascinating day of presentations.
Thank you to the Bren School's Corporate and Institutional Partners:
Bank of America, BlueDot Institute, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, California Homebuilding Foundation, Deckers Brands, Direct Relief, Donald Bren Foundation, Google, Latham & Watkins, Manitou Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Professional Environmental Managers Association (PEMA), Rincon Consultants, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Southern California Edison, The Kirby-Jones Foundation, The Natalie Orfalea Foundation, Tillamook Creamery, Toad&Co.