Meet Our CFCN Student Conservationists

Hannah Yoo is a student at Northeastern University with a deep passion for environmental advocacy rooted in her childhood connection to the rural outdoors. She has advocated for climate legislation through the Sierra Club, supported community organizations combating urban heat, and is committed to turning environmental concern into meaningful action. Through CFCN, she hopes to expand her knowledge of coastal ecosystems, strengthen her advocacy skills, and empower others to protect coastal species and work toward a sustainable future.

Mohammed Wuqaas is a senior at Dunlap High School in Peoria, Illinois, whose interest in environmental conservation began in front of a spectrophotometer, researching whether light could detect cyanobacteria in freshwater before a harmful bloom became visible. That experience taught him that environmental problems are most solvable when people recognize them early. As an EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassador, he now brings that same lens to bird-window collisions, a widespread but preventable threat, and hopes to raise awareness and implement practical solutions in his community through CFCN.

Arianna Cedeno is a junior at Lake Highland Preparatory in St. Cloud, Florida, and a NOAA Youth Ambassador and advanced scuba diver who has seen firsthand how fragile coastal ecosystems can be. Her CFCN stewardship project focuses on identifying dangerous windows, installing mitigation patterns, and educating her community on how simple changes can prevent bird collisions. She is driven by the belief that combining science-based learning with real-world conservation work is the most powerful way to create measurable, lasting change.

Anthony Wooten is a Biology student at the University of New Mexico, having begun his environmental studies at Northern Arizona University with a focus on environmental sustainability. Conservation has always been at the heart of his work, and he hopes to learn from professionals who share his commitment to protecting and restoring the natural world. Through CFCN, Anthony hopes to deepen his knowledge of coastal ecosystems and contribute to a future where the planet can grow, evolve, and become a more beautiful place.

Amanda Vicory is an undergraduate student at Fordham University studying Anthropology and Biological Sciences. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and hopes to use her interdisciplinary background to make conservation science more accessible and understandable for everyone. Through CFCN, she hopes to gain hands-on experience that brings her closer to a career dedicated to protecting wildlife.

Sammie Aramaki is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, Conservation Science and Policy. She has a deep interest in coastal ecology, coastal birds, and conservation stewardship. Through CFCN, she hopes to expand her knowledge of coastal ecosystems and connect with others committed to protecting the places where land meets sea.

Allylah Esther is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is passionate about seabird conservation and the complex threats migratory birds face as they travel across ecosystems around the globe. Through CFCN, she hopes to deepen her understanding of conservation measures and contribute to protecting the species that depend on healthy coastlines.

Samanvika Vadlamudi is a junior at Argyle High School in Argyle, Texas. She is drawn to coastal conservation because she believes too many beautiful ecosystems are disappearing without anyone noticing. Through CFCN, she hopes to learn how she can help and use that knowledge to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our coastlines and the species that depend on them.

Shrayes Talla is a junior at Arizona College Prep High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is passionate about taking a more proactive leadership role in environmental conservation and developing hands-on skills that will help him protect coastal bird populations and the ocean environments they depend on. Through CFCN, he hopes to build the knowledge and experience needed to make a meaningful difference for species that rely on healthy coastlines and waterways.

Kailey Burns is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Living in an urban area with dense human and bird populations, she has seen firsthand the need for environments that are safer for wildlife. Through CFCN, she hopes to learn more about bird-window collisions and find practical ways to make human spaces more animal-friendly.

Sage Mannino is a student at CUNY Hunter College based in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in New York City, she has witnessed firsthand the impact that dense urban environments have on coastal ecosystems. Her mother always taught her to leave places better than she found them, and that philosophy is at the heart of why she joined CFCN. Through the program, she hopes to protect coastline communities and learn the small but meaningful actions that add up to lasting change.

Ethan Grives is a student at Norwich University based in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He has always been passionate about conservation and is drawn to opportunities that allow him to make a real impact on the ecological health of our ecosystems. Through CFCN, Ethan hopes to contribute to meaningful environmental and ecological betterment for the communities and species that depend on healthy coastlines.

Kambry Macmanus is a student at Colorado State University studying fish, wildlife, and conservation biology. She has a deep passion for protecting and preserving wildlife and loves sharing that passion with others. Through CFCN, she hopes to help educate the public about conservation efforts and inspire her community to take action for the species and ecosystems that need it most.

Rosa-O-Sarona Latu is an early career marine scientist based in Apia, Samoa, working under the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Her work spans marine species conservation, community coastal restoration, and seabird ecology across the Pacific region. Through CFCN, she hopes to deepen her knowledge of bird-window collisions and connect with a global network of conservation professionals and students working toward safer coastlines.

Maxine Smith is a Political Science student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a Model UN Delegate, NAACP Youth and College Secretary, and USSA Communications Committee Member. Her experience working with policy has made her deeply aware of the harmful impacts of anti-conservation rhetoric on both people and wildlife. She believes seabirds play a vital role in our ecosystems and deserve the ability to carry out that role safely. Through CFCN, she hopes to bring her advocacy background to protecting coastal ecosystems and the birds that depend on them.

Alondra Zamora is a first-generation Mexican American student at UC Davis and a legislative advocate for clean water and clean air in the California state capitol. She believes in using your voice to uplift others who cannot communicate for themselves, and sees coastal conservation as deeply tied to environmental justice for low-income, Black, Latino, and Native communities who are most impacted by climate change. Through CFCN, she hopes to advocate for the environments that sustain all life.

Anya Calaprice is a junior at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, California. Her interest in marine biology and beach clean-ups drew her to CFCN, and learning about how coastal pollution and glass windows affect migrating seabirds deepened her commitment to taking action. Through CFCN, she hopes to put up window protections, reduce hazards along the coast, and develop a stronger understanding of seabird ecology while making a real difference for marine life.

Jaelynn Huskin is a senior at Freedom High School in Tampa, Florida. Growing up in Tampa Bay surrounded by water, she came to understand that protecting the environment is as much a public health issue as it is a conservation one. She believes collaboration is essential to solving environmental challenges, and through CFCN she hopes to learn from professionals around the world, exchange ideas, and better understand how different communities protect their marine ecosystems.

Kalea Kim is a senior at Hillsdale High School in Foster City, California. She is passionate about environmental education and hopes to bring what she learns through CFCN directly back to her school's environmental club, giving her peers access to the specific knowledge and tools needed to protect coastal birds and ecosystems in their own community.

Lucas Clavel is a junior at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California. Over the past few years, he has grown increasingly aware of the impact humans have had on the natural world, from extinct animals to endangered populations to the exploitation of natural resources. Through his local green team and Citizen's Climate Lobby chapter, he has been fighting for the environment while recognizing how much more needs to be done. Through CFCN, he hopes to protect the planet and ensure a better environment for the animals that inhabit it.

Alexandra Flores is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She firmly believes that meaningful change requires addressing the root causes of environmental destruction, and she is committed to taking a stand and implementing protections to prevent further damage to our planet's ecosystems. Through CFCN, she hopes to advocate for coastal birds and the habitats they depend on.

Kingsley Adindu is based in Abuja, Nigeria, with a background in coastal zone management and climate change. Through CFCN, he hopes to apply his skills to protecting ecosystems and contributing to the global effort to safeguard the coastal environments and species that depend on them.

Sylvia Masuno is a student at the Federal University of ABC in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil. She is eager to learn more about birds and explore new experiences in the field of coastal conservation. Through CFCN, she hopes to broaden her understanding of seabird ecology and connect with a global community of students and professionals dedicated to protecting our coastlines.

Rai Chowdhury is a senior at Ocean City High School in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where living on the coast has given her a front-row view of how city lighting disrupts birds' sleep-wake cycles and increases the number of collisions with windows and cars. She is passionate about deepening her understanding of bird collisions and getting more involved in policy efforts in her local communities to reduce preventable injuries and deaths among birds.

Nick Shefter is a senior at Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich, Connecticut, and a NOAA Ambassador with deep roots in coastal conservation. He is involved with Save the Sound and Trout Unlimited, and has grown to love the coastal birds he sees every day living on the Connecticut shoreline. Through CFCN, he hopes to learn from experts how to protect coastal birds from preventable window collisions and share that knowledge with his peers to inspire greater protection of migratory and coastline birds.

Ilinca Le Bomin is a first-year Marine Sciences student at UCV in Valencia, Spain. She is passionate about coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity and is eager to get more involved in practical conservation work. Through CFCN, she hopes to develop her own stewardship project and contribute to something with a real environmental impact.

Raia Barrett is a recent graduate of Grambling State University with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Environmental Science. She plans to pursue a master's degree focused on marine science and biotechnology. Through CFCN, she hopes to learn from conservation professionals, expand her knowledge of coastal environments, and contribute to meaningful conservation efforts on her path toward a career dedicated to protecting the natural world.

Avery Haddon is a student at the University of North Georgia pursuing a degree in Wildlife Sciences and Environmental Conservation. She is deeply passionate about wildlife and environmental conservation and has seen the damage done to our oceans and coasts firsthand. Through CFCN, she hopes to direct her passions, build her knowledge, and lead conservation projects that inspire her community to adopt more sustainable habits.

Kacie Silkey is a student at the University of Utah who grew up moving between states, spending countless hours birdwatching and learning the names of species from Alaska to Florida. When she learned that bird-window collisions are one of the leading human-caused threats to birds, it strengthened her passion for conservation and inspired her to help spread awareness. Through CFCN, she hopes to turn that awareness into action and contribute to protecting migrating birds and creating safer habitats.

Jaden Yu is a student at Montana State University who has always been passionate about conservation and ecology. Though currently studying in the mountains, he plans to move to the coast after graduation and build a career focused on environmental stewardship. Through CFCN, he hopes to gain relevant hands-on experience in coastal conservation and reinforce his commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems.

Cooper Evans is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley and a strong advocate for marine biodiversity and conservation. He has worked with nonprofits like Algalita in Long Beach to reduce ocean plastic pollution, and has volunteered and taken courses at the Aquarium of the Pacific to better understand the threats marine species face. Through CFCN, he hopes to expand his network and connect with like-minded individuals committed to finding meaningful conservation solutions.

Sheylin Alvarenga Zometa is a junior at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Through CFCN, she hopes to gain experience in a new field, understand how conservation work can help her make a positive impact on her community, and hear from people with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.

Rouzat Ali is a student at the University of Texas at Austin who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet through conservation and environmental science. Through CFCN, she hopes to find her niche in conservation, gain exposure to professionals in the field, and grow into a more knowledgeable and thoughtful scientist.

Phyu Sin Lamin is a senior at Irvington High School in Fremont, California. She is drawn to the intersection of ecology, the environment, and engineering as a creative and scientific approach to solving problems. Through CFCN, she hopes to learn more about bird-window collisions, do hands-on research, and help protect the birds along California's coastline.

Maryam Sajin is a sophomore at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California. Her passion for the environment was sparked by learning about global warming, and she has since been eager to find ways to spread awareness and take action. She previously served at Cabrillo National Monument, where she educated visitors about California's native plants. Through CFCN, she hopes to continue building her knowledge and contributing to conservation efforts that protect birds and coastal ecosystems.

Aubrey Koller is a junior at Harris County High School in Ellerslie, Georgia, and a NOAA Youth Ambassador. She is passionate about climate change and the ocean, and believes seabirds are a vital and underappreciated part of our coastal ecosystems. Through CFCN, she hopes to gain the knowledge to help her community understand how they can support and protect the environment around them.

Hsin-Yuan Cheng is a senior at Memorial Senior High School in Houston, Texas, who volunteers regularly at a local bird nature sanctuary. Through that work, he developed a deep fondness for birds and learned that many face death from collisions with windows and wind turbines. Through CFCN, he hopes to better understand the dangers birds face and find practical ways to prevent them.

Jenna Grabiec is a senior at Sound School in Cheshire, Connecticut, who has dedicated herself to environmental protection from a young age. As a participant in the Ocean Youth NOAA Project, she has built a foundation of experience in ocean conservation that she hopes to expand through CFCN. She believes the world is under protected and is committed to helping secure the protections that birds and coastal ecosystems need.

Andrew Gallegos is an undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara with a goal of becoming a marine biologist or working with aquatic life. Through CFCN, he hopes to learn more about the animals affected by human-made environmental issues and build the knowledge and experience he needs to pursue a career dedicated to protecting life in and around our oceans.

Mariyah Carter is a student at Georgia State University who is growing in her appreciation for the natural world and humanity's responsibility to care for it. She believes every person has a role to play in stewarding the Earth, and through CFCN she hopes to do her part and inspire others around her to do the same.

Dorlhe Davila Mendoza is a senior based in Claremont, California, with a background in environmental advocacy, STEM, and youth leadership. She believes conservation becomes most powerful when young people are given the knowledge and tools to turn concern into action. Her CFCN stewardship project focuses on learning the science behind bird-safe design, identifying risks in her own community, and helping others understand that small changes can have measurable impacts.

Dakota Schiltz is a student at Sacramento City College in Sacramento, California. As a Californian who regularly witnesses and interacts with birds of the coast, valleys, and migration routes, she is passionate about preventing the preventable deaths caused by window collisions. Through CFCN, she hopes to make her community a more ecologically friendly place and learn how to help other communities become more bird-friendly too.

Aashrita Addlapalli is a junior at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, California. She cares deeply about the environment and protecting California's coastlines, and hopes to use CFCN as a platform to advocate for birds, learn more about the issue of window collisions, and participate in meaningful legislative work that creates lasting change for coastal ecosystems.

Phoenyx Madrigal is a freshman and NOAA Youth Ambassador based in La Porte, Texas, right along the coast. She loves helping animals and protecting their habitats, and her proximity to the water makes coastal conservation personal to her. Through CFCN, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the threats facing coastal birds and find meaningful ways to take action for the ecosystems she cares about.

Kaylynn Malicdem is a student at Los Medanos College studying Ecology with a focus on Wildlife and Habitat Conservation. She is passionate about coastal bird conservation and wildlife protection, and sees CFCN as a meaningful way to build a well-rounded conservation experience. Through CFCN, she hopes to learn from professionals in the field and network her way toward a green career dedicated to protecting the species and habitats she cares most about.

Brenda Razo is based in Palo Alto, California, and works with Maono Conservation. She believes birds and nature need more support than ever to thrive in the current environmental crisis, and feels a deep urge to share the gift of experiencing nature and birdsong with future generations. Through CFCN, she hopes to contribute to protecting the coastal ecosystems that make that connection possible.

Abria Scott is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is passionate about the environment and the intersection of conservation, community, and action. Through CFCN, she hopes to channel that passion into meaningful work that protects coastal birds and the ecosystems they depend on.

Bella Liu is a senior at Earl of March Secondary School in Kanata, Ontario. She is interested in environmental conservation and joined CFCN to learn more about coastal birds and the threats they face. Through the program, she hopes to deepen her understanding of bird-window collisions and contribute to protecting the species around her.

Ruth Banamwana is a student at Kepler College in Kigali, Rwanda. She is passionate about caring for the environment and eager to learn from people across the world who share that passion. Through CFCN, she hopes to gain new perspectives and ideas that will help her contribute to conservation efforts in her community and beyond.