Evelyn Le

Something About Me

I’m a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in marine science and ecological restoration, complemented by a growing interest in GIS. Following my graduation, I plan to attend graduate school in Fall 2028 to pursue either a Master’s degree or PhD, with the goal of conducting research along the coast. Outside my academic and professional career, my hobbies include cooking and baking, hiking, etc. I chose to study environmental studies because it offers the perfect balance between STEM research and the essential contributions of humanities. While I enjoy the science aspect of environmental studies, humanities fields, though often undervalued in a capitalist-driven focus on commercially viable STEM fields, are equally important. They foster ethical awareness and empathy while making valuable insight into the ways societies develop, offering opportunities to explore and critically evaluate societal values throughout history and across different cultures.

Throughout my time at UCSB, I have gained considerable skills and knowledge through various classes and internships that I undertook. My academic journey has been shaped by hands-on experiences in marine science, ecological restoration, and environmental research. Through my internships with Storke Ranch Open Space and MPA Watch, I gained practical skills in plant identification, invasive species management, phenology data collection, and environmental data analysis. Over the summer, I worked as an undergraduate researcher under phD student, Allie Caughman in her research in the study of species evolution in the MPAs with considerable selective pressure like climate change, fishing using R program.

In this upcoming Fall quarter, I will be interning with Your Children’s Tree where I will assist them with the Ellwood Mesa restoration project through plant cares. I am also selected onto a team of environmental educators through the Cheadle Center and the Nature Conservancy where I will assist in leading educational field trips for middle and high school students at the Dangermond Preserve, focusing on biodiversity and local ecology. In spring, I will be studying abroad in Korea at Korea University where I not only will be exploring the diverse perspectives of Environmental Science’s laws and practices but also connect with my Asian cultural heritages through this exchange.