Summer 2018 Contributors

Alexia Ciarfella

Last summer, I studied French chewing gum taste preferences through my Research and Development internship at Mondelez International, home to brands such as Trident and Dentyne. This summer, not only do I have the opportunity to continue studying French taste preferences, but I get to experience them firsthand within their scientific, socioeconomic, historical, and geographic contexts! Because I am a complete food science nerd, I am beyond excited to learn about the biochemistry and microbiology of cheese and wine- an opportunity that I am convinced does not exist elsewhere at this level of scientific detail. Immersing myself in international food science and gastronomy will help me prepare for a career within the international food system. As a part-time graduate student working for a global food industry company, this study abroad experience offers a unique global perspective on food production and taste preferences. Additionally, the short-term nature of this program allows me to integrate an enriching study abroad experience into my graduate career without impacting my professional responsibilities or aspirations!

Alison Lawlor

Hi, my name is Alison Lawlor, and I am a rising senior at Rutgers University, majoring in Animal Science, Pre-Vet & Research Option with a minor in Psychology. I spend most of my time at Rutgers Farm, working as an animal care worker, a teaching assistant for the swine and small ruminant practicum classes, and doing research in Dr. Katz's lab. Next year I will be working on my own research project through the G.H. Cook Scholars Program. I also work as a lifeguard through Rutgers Recreation, and will be starting work this summer as a vet tech/assistant at Prospect Ridge Veterinary Hospital. I am beyond excited that I will be spending two weeks in June studying abroad in Belize taking the "Large Animal Veterinary Practice in the Tropics" class, and I can't wait to share my journey with you. (:

Andrea Pfaff

Andrea Pfaff is a third year Honors College undergrad at Rutgers University double majoring in Marine Biology and Digital Film. She wasn’t always interested in Film and in fact had planned on being purely a science major in college. However, as she pursued science she devolved a fascination with, and a passion for, the ways film can communicate and create interest in topics that might otherwise be alienating to viewers. With this in mind she hopes to pursue science film making as a career in hopes of making important scientific discoveries and principles accessible and interesting to the public. While at Rutgers she has enjoyed partnering with several Rutgers scientists to make documentaries about their work and is excited to continue this by traveling abroad to Indonesia this summer to make a film about the research on Orangutans being done there by Rutgers scientists.

Angela Feasel

Hi! My name is Angela Feasel, I am a rising senior studying Animal Science with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research with a minor in Biochemistry. In my free time I enjoy trips to the beach, reading, horseback riding and spending time with my family and friends. I am super excited for this incredible opportunity to be traveling to Belize this summer! I cannot wait to work alongside veterinarians, spent time in the Belize zoo and be emerged in their culture for the next four weeks.

Billy Baumle

My name is Billy Baumle and I am a third-year student at the School of Environmental and Biological Science double majoring in Environmental Policy, Institutions & Behavior/Women’s & Gender Studies. This summer I will be interning at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand. I will be specifically working within the Sustainable Urban Development section, working to localize Sustainable Development Goals within Southeast Asia. I backpacked through Thailand last May and can’t wait to go back for an extended period of time!

Darah Bagby-Prosser

Hi! My name is Darah Bagby-Prosser. I am a sophomore in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences majoring in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior. I am an artist and I love to travel. This summer I am participating in a service-learning program in Oaxaca, Mexico. I am excited to volunteer within the community and learn about a new culture.

Deanna Bullock

Hi! I am Deanna and I am going to be a senior this coming fall majoring in Animal Science with a Companion Animal Science concentration and minoring in Psychology. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to spend a month this summer in Belize studying Large Animal Veterinary Practices as well as Wildlife Health, Ecology and Conservation! I cannot wait to travel abroad and meet everyone I will be learning and growing with this summer.

Dianne Le

Born in Los Angeles, Dianne studies Landscape Architecture with a background in Mechanical Engineering at Rutgers University, where she serves as the returning Co-President of the Rutgers Asian Student Council. She has worked with VietLead as a Program Assistant in Camden, NJ and has interned at OCA National in Washington, DC. Dianne’s interests include: creating art, reading, learning tech, and studying war history.

Donna Climent

Hi, my name is Donna Climent and I am a junior at Rutgers University. My major is Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Resources, with a certificate in Environmental Geomatics. I will be traveling to Belize this summer for the Wildlife Health, Ecology, and Conservation course with CELA Belize. I have always loved animals and being able to learn more about them while studying at the Belize Zoo is so exciting. Wildlife conservation is very important to me, so I know I will benefit greatly from this hands-on experience. I am ready for this new adventure!

Emily Toth

Hello! My name is Emily Toth, and I am majoring in Landscape Architecture. I love to be outdoors and working on hands-on projects. I have always wanted study abroad at least once during my time at Rutgers. Once I found out they offered a trip to Germany with the Landscape Architecture program, I was really excited. I hope to focus on the sustainability and green infrastructure in Germany and compare it to what we have here in New Jersey. My goal is to come back with more green ideas to implement into my future projects and designs.

Gabby Harrison

Hi! My name is Gabby Harrison and I am a first-year student in The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. I am pursuing a major in Nutrition and plan on going to medical school after Rutgers. My study abroad program, Lifestyles of the Mediterranean, explores the diet, exercise, and general lifestyle which originated in Greece and is renowned for its health benefits and sustainability. As an Italian (and foodie) I am so excited to explore Greek cuisine and history so that I can reference my experiences throughout my education. This will be my first time in Europe, so be prepared for lots of enthusiastic posts and photos!

Giovanni Caputo

Hello! My name is Giovanni Caputo and I am double majoring in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and Design. I am excited to travel overseas and explore Germany. I can’t wait to interact with landscape architecture students from the Technical University of Berlin. I love to take photos so I hope you enjoy my blog. I will also be posting youtube videos to share my journey. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo_aOKWAOZkKHz2EI4_42mA

Jonathon Hampton

Hey everyone I’m Jonathon and I am studying plant biology with a focus on medicinal plants. I am excited to be travelling with an awesome group of people to the Netherlands to study the agricultural practices of the country. Specifically, I am looking forward to learning from greenhouse industry professionals to gain more insight on production methods and apply what I learn abroad to my academic and career goals. Lastly, I just wanted to give a pre-departure thank you to my professor and the study abroad staff for making all this possible and I look forward to sharing the amazing experiences still to come.

Josee Westrich

Hi! I am a rising sophomore at Rutgers University in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences majoring in Animal Science (Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Research Option). On campus, I am an active member of the RU Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club and Veterinary Science Club. This summer I will be travelling to Belize for two weeks where I will be working closely alongside their large farm animals to learn more about the ways in which veterinary care is administered outside of the United States. I am excited to have the opportunity to both learn about veterinary care and actually get the chance to practice suture techniques and physical examinations in the classroom so early on in my career. I am also very much looking forward to giving back and connecting with some of the local communities in Belize through the free animal health clinics offered. Getting the chance to see first-hand how my education can make an impact on my surrounding world is something I feel will continue to ignite my passion for animals and motivate me to create change within my community. I cannot wait for all of the transformative experiences that Belize has to offer!

Katie Scurato

Hi! My name is Katie Scurato! I’m a Dietetics major with a minor in Biological Sciences in SEBS. I’ll be going to the Netherlands as an agricultural leadership trip over the summer. Come follow me on my adventure!

Kayla Luis

Hi, my name is Kayla Luis and I am a freshman majoring in Animal Science with a double minor in Spanish and Portuguese. I am going to become a Resident Assistant next year and am also a part of the Pre-Veterinary club here at Rutgers. I am super excited for the opportunity to work with animals through the CELA Belize program! I love learning and can not wait to be immersed in a new culture while working with animals!

Kristin Donaldson

Rutgers Honors College Pre-Vet Student exploring Belize and all of the adorable creatures that reside there.

Laura Baracaldo

My name is Laura Baracaldo and I have the opportunity to study abroad in South Africa. As a future veterinarian,I am super excited to be participating in a program that will take me all throughout South Africa to work alongside veterinarians and native animals of the region. Through this 3 week program I will be assisting in dog spay and neuter clinics, wildlife rehabilitation, and hands on work with animals such as lions, zebras and snakes.

Leslie Hoyos

Hello! My name is Leslie Hoyos, I am a graduating senior majoring in public health and minoring in biological sciences. I am originally from Rhode Island, but I have lived in New Jersey for 10 years now. I am a first-generation college student and second generation American. My hobbies include hiking, playing video games, and drawing. I also love to travel, but this is the first time I will visit a country other than my parent’s country of origin, Colombia. I need at least one cup of coffee every day, so I am always open to visiting a café. My aspiration is to become a public health professional in research and one day operating or owning a non-profit. I am traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico this summer for the Culture and Community Health course. I look forward to learning about the social issues in the Oaxacan community and how they affect health as well as learning about the indigenous communities.

Melissa Silva

My name is Melissa Silva and I am a rising senior and an Animal Science major on the Pre-Veterinary track. I would like to become a wildlife veterinarian and travel as much as possible.

Mikaela Hufnell

Hi everyone! My name is Mikaela and I am an undergraduate animal science student here at Rutgers! I am so very passionate when it comes to traveling and I am blessed to be well traveled for such a young age and I am fortunate enough to add this trip to the Netherlands to the roster. I enjoy any activity that can be done outside including: gardening, swimming, hiking, and horse back riding. I cant wait to share the experience of this trip with all of you!

Monica Lee

My name is Monica Lee. I am 21 years old and am from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I major in Landscape Architecture and am graduating in May of 2019. I participate in the George H. Cook Honors Scholars Program. During freshman and sophomore year I was a student athlete on the Rutgers Women’s Track and Field Team as well as the Rutgers Women’s Cross Country Team. I am a member of the Undergraduate Landscape Architect club as well.

Mouli Luo

My name is Mouli Luo. I am an international student, majoring in master of Landscape Architecture. I am going abroad to Japan to do an independent study of historic gardens. The study is about how historic garden survive in today, especially in modern cities. I planned my trip to Japan since undergraduate, and I will finally make it this summer. Thanks for SEBS for this study abroad opportunity. It will be the first time to travel to Japan. I am very excited about this adventure!

Nanik Song

My name is Nanik Song and I am a rising senior in the Landscape Architecture program. I enjoy reading, drawing, and taking pictures. I also love to travel, and have been to Austria, Canada, Italy, Korea, London, Portugal, and Spain so far. This summer I will be in Germany studying contemporary landscape architecture, urban planning and design, urban ecology in the context of fourth nature, and German history and culture. I also love food, and am looking forward to the donor kebab that I’ve been missing since last summer.

Nicole Deck

I am currently a Junior at Rutgers University, New Brunswick studying Directed Marine Sciences with a minor in Fisheries Science. I transferred from the University of New Haven where I was studying Marine Biology and Environmental Science. I have previously interned at the Mystic Aquarium in the Education and Conservation Department. I have also interned for SURF, the summer undergraduate research fellowship, completing research in salt marsh restoration in Stonington, CT at Dodge Paddock and Beal and Barn Island. I hope to pursue a career in Fisheries Management and work under NOAA or a university. Lastly, the Coral Reef Internship held in the Cayman Islands will allow me to achieve a life-long dream of scuba diving on a tropical reef and studying coral reefs!

Niketkumar Patel

My name is Niketkumar Patel. I am a rising senior and future food scientist. I always wanted to travel different places in the world. Study abroad program is a great medium to travel along with getting a learning experience. I will be going to France to explore the fine process of cheese and wine production. I am thrilled with this exciting journey.

Parker Jordan

My name is Parker Jordan and I am a rising senior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. Having never been outside the United States, I am excited to say I will be traveling to Greece to study Lifestyles of the Mediterranean. While I have learned a great deal about the importance of exercise in one's life, I am eager to gain a more holistic approach to the body after investigating the many components to the Greek way of life. After graduation at Rutgers, I plan to continue my studies in graduate school to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Samantha Schwab

Hi my name is Samantha Schwab, i am currently a Senior majoring in Nutrition(dietetics) and minoring in Biological Sciences & Health and Society.

Sarah Cheung

Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm a senior studying Landscape Architecture at Rutgers. I love my major and everything it represents-the opportunities to make the world a better place with design are endless! To be able to study abroad in Germany this year is also something that I will be always grateful for and excited about. So combine the two and I've got myself a great summer ahead, and I can't wait to share it with you!

Shiyue Zhao

Hi, my name is Shiyue Zhao, but I also go by Sharon. I’m a marine biology student who love exploring new worlds, and I’m always on the way to a new adventure.

Sneha Sivaram

My name is Sneha Sivaram and I am a junior in the Honors College. I am pursuing a double major in biochemistry and evolutionary anthropology and minoring in music. This summer I am traveling to Indonesia to study primate behaviors, conservation, and ecology. I am looking forward to learning field research techniques!

Sophia Trinidad

Phia Trinidad is a third year SEBS student majoring in both Landscape Architecture and Women and Gender Studies. Her interests lie where responsible design and social justice intersect in the form of participatory design and community involvement. She is very much looking forward to studying in Dals Långed, Sweden this year, as it is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about these intersections as well as construction/ build processes.

Stacy Lopez

My name is Stacy Lopez and I am currently a Junior at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. I am majoring in Environmental and Business Economics and minoring in Community Health Outreach. I have successfully completed my certificate in Food Systems Education and Administration. I am a first generation immigrant college student, I am Colombian and Ecuadorian. For the most part, I am invested in school, work, and my fitness. I love to spend time with friends and family. When I have spare time, I am typically volunteering at different types of events. I am currently taking Leadership Applications in Agriculture with Dr. Plumely, where I am acquiring leadership skills that will increase my knowledge and enhance my performance. I seek to apply my knowledge and practice all I have learned on my leadership trip to the Netherlands with Dr. Plumley.

Tanner Yuhas

Tanner Yuhas is a junior in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, studying Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources. He is also a member of the inaugural class of the Rutgers Honors College. Tanner works in the lab of Dr. Brooke Maslo, studying the affects of oyster aquaculture in the Delaware Bay on migrating endangered shorebirds and their eating behavior. Tanner also began working with Dr. Erin Vogel on his George H Cook Honors Thesis, where he will be investigating if orangutans in Indonesia develop feeding repertoires different from their mothers, and if these potential differences stem from personal preferences in food choice. It was this project that sparked Tanner's desire to visit Indonesia on this study abroad trip this summer. Around Rutgers, Tanner also participates in Club Men's Ultimate Frisbee, where he was named a captain this year.

Zack George

Hello, my name is Zack and I am a senior Animal Science major focusing on the pre-vet tract. I went on the CELA Belize trip last summer for the Large Animal and Wildlife programs. While there I fell in love with the idea of focusing in wildlife medicine and wanted to pursue more experiences in that, so I found the Eco-Life expedition and applied for that. I am excited to go to a continent I’ve never been to before and explore the field of wildlife medicine even more.

Zoe Orlino

I am a sophomore at Rutgers University currently majoring in landscape architecture. With a strong background in fine arts and the knowledge green living, I hope to bring my skills forward to create beautiful, impactful landscapes. Follow me as I travel through Germany studying their design techniques and methods of sustainable living!