​Kirsten Schwarz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
Past-Chair, ESA Communication and Engagement Section

I'm an urban ecologist, environmental science educator, science communicator, environmental justice advocate, and city enthusiast.  Using a transdisciplinary systems approach, my research aims to  understand how the ways in which we build and shape cities affects environment, health, and justice. 

The Dream Team

Andres Gonzalez, Graduate Student Researcher and Master of Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

Aeden Keffelew, Master of Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
A Public Policy masters student, Aeden is interning with the nonprofit Kounkuey Design Initiative to use her filmmaking skills to document narratives from BIPOC Angelenos about the Pacoima Wash as an environmental and social amenity. Aeden is also working with the Luskin Center for Innovation and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute to reduce the environmental footprint of film production. 

Selena Mao, Master of Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Selena works across the environment, health, and development sectors with the aim of producing research that improves the wellbeing of local communities. Currently, her research explores the climate suitability and pest resistance of a wide variety of tree species in L.A. region, as well as the regulatory, financial, and capacity-building mechanisms to increase their presence in the urban forest. She is also interested in the socio-spatial origins and impacts of soil lead contamination in South L.A., as well as the differential impacts of initial remediation efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Stanford University. Prior to graduate school, Selena worked at the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, where she studied the history and geography of disinvestment in neighborhood parks across the five boroughs.

Angelica Ruiz, Master of Public Health Student, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Monika Shankar, Master of Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Monika, an Urban and Regional Planning masters student, is assessing progress of the Clean Up Green Up program in Los Angeles, one of the first environmental justice, land use policies secured by grassroots groups. Her work will inform actions by the LA Mayor Garcetti’s Office, her project client, to implement and potentially expand this landmark initiative.

​Interested in Joining the Team?
Please get in touch and share a bit about your research interests!
​Former Undergraduate Research Students, Northern Kentucky University

Naomi Archibong, ​Jason Bellis, Molly Brubaker, Kyle Conley, Jaeydah Edwards, Brittany Holton, Enrica Jackson, Emily Jones, Emily Keener, Kathryn Keefe, Taylor Kopeschka, David Koenig, Beth Knox, Brennen Kuhn, Sarah Martin, Adam O'Brien, Valerie Rice, Alexis Sharp, Jackson Shown, Sydney Smith, Elaina Staggs, Haylee Taylor, Victor Vanover, Nicholas Wainscott, Matthew Winkler, Jacob Webster, Brittany White, Kelsey Zalack