MESM 2021
Bio
Benson Truong graduated cum laude from California State University, Los Angeles in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate, Benson conducted genetic research that questioned the evolutionary lineage and species status of lanternfishes. While conducting undergraduate research, he volunteered at the United States Forest Service performing conservation related field work such as soil composition surveys and invasive species removal. Upon graduation, he worked at a genomics lab where he provided sequence reads to academic institutions and private companies. Unsatisfied with working in confined labs, he attended week-long sponsored environmental training workshops where he gained a new perspective in science. This directed his interest to environmental conservation, and to find a career orientated outdoors. Specializing in Conservation Planning at the Bren School, Benson hopes to become an Environmental Biologist and use genetics to help conserve threatened and endangered species in their natural habitats.