MESM 2023
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Bio
Samantha (Sam) Rozal graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies/Biology. During her undergraduate career, Sam tutored biology and was a fellow at UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning. Sam also engaged in research with the Long Marine Lab Marine Mammal Stranding Network under the supervision of Dr. Robin Dunkin. She completed a senior thesis characterizing the geographic and temporal patterns of marine debris on Santa Cruz and Monterey County Beaches. Her work was recognized with a Koret Award and a Richard A. Cooley Memorial Award. She developed a passion for environmental public interest work while completing a week of service learning in an alternative spring break program at UC Santa Cruz and through completing a course group project with the City of Santa Cruz. The project developed surveys to analyze community engagement and perception of the city’s Climate and Energy Action Plan. Sam was drawn to Bren because of its dynamic, interdisciplinary coursework and strong community. She aims to be an active and engaged member of the program. At Bren, Sam will be specializing in energy and climate and is interested in studying the ways to mitigate the effects of climate change and how to make mitigation resources available to underserved and underrepresented communities.