Arantza Lira

Something About Me

Originally from Calexico, California, I am in my third year of pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Studies, with a focus on regenerative agriculture. By showing me how to focus on harmful agricultural and environmental practices in my county, an environmental health internship with Committee Civico Del Valle before my senior year of high school provided me with a critical new lens through which to view the impact of environmental racism on my community. This new awareness continues to motivate me to promote regenerative agriculture practices, protect biodiversity, and advocate for the well-being of agricultural communities. In the summer of 2023, I was an intern at the UCSB-Smithsonian ERES program where I gained hands-on fieldwork experience and proficiency in RStudio. During an internship at the Advanced Data Science Course at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), I created a research poster on the ecological benefits of shaded coffee farms in Panama and their promotion of biodiversity, bird habitat protection, and natural pest control effects. In 2024, I will do a summer internship at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Department of Entomology, to improve the SpOccSum tool, a Python code that aids in creating summary visualizations for biologists and entomologists. In addition to my work in regenerative agriculture, I have served as an undergraduate mentor for other first-generation Hispanic students, helping them navigate both their adjustments to campus life and the challenges of their academic journeys. In my free time I love journaling, exploring new music, and being outdoors, whether it is enjoying a hike or drawing on the beach.