Mentors

We have more than 100 environmental professional mentors volunteering to provide individualized support to our student mentees. The mentors -- graduates from UCD and from programs around the country, working in diverse positions across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and academia -- are excited to answer questions and build community with mentees and mentors. Please don't hesitate to reach out to them!

Adela Contreras | [email protected]

Hi! My name is Adela Contreras and I live and work in the Pacific Northwest. On my weekends, I love to paddle board, adventure with my dog, and go to farmer's markets. On weekdays, I serve the public as a natural resource planner and support local agriculture.

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Alexis Tarantino | [email protected]

Hi, I'm an Air Pollution Specialist working on climate change policy at the California Air Resources Board. If any of you are feeling nervous about graduating, just know that I was extremely nervous too in your spot, so you're not alone! I love helping people job search and I'm here to support your overall transition from school to the workforce (or grad school).

Smiling young woman, shoulder-length blonde hair, maroon sweater, portrait photograph

Amy Martin | [email protected]

Amy Martin is the Principal of Transit Fare Programs at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the government agency responsible for regional transportation planning and financing in the San Francisco Bay Area. She joined MTC in 2026 after ten years working as a transit fare technology and policy consultant helping transit agencies across the U.S. answer questions about how riders pay and how much it costs to take transit. She is a 2013 UC Davis EPAP graduate and received her Master's in City Planning from UC Berkeley in 2017.

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Andrew Tom | [email protected]

Andrew Tom graduated from UC Davis in 2016 (ESM - Climate Change & Air Quality Track) and has since followed a nontraditional path: augmenting his environmental foundation with data science and software engineering. His career has spanned climate-risk analytics, geospatial data, and technology startups, translating complex environmental challenges into practical tools and insights. He now works in San Francisco advising several mission-driven startups measuring the physical impacts of climate change on real estate to help global investors make more informed investment decisions.

Smiling blonde woman in blue shirt at plant-filled office window (photo)

Angee Doerr | [email protected]

Dr. Angee Doerr is an Associate Professor of Practice with Oregon Sea Grant and Oregon State University. She works on marine social-ecological systems, focusing primarily on commercial fisheries and aquaculture. Angee is also a Captain in the US Navy Reserve, with more than 24 years of combined active and reserve service.

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Angela Calderaro | [email protected]

Ms. Angela Calderaro is currently the Environmental Program Manager for the Delta Ecosystem Enhancement unit in Division of Multibenefit Initiatives at Department of Water Resources. She has 20 years of experience in biological fieldwork, environmental permitting and regulations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-calderaro-seniorscientistregulatory/