Category: Junior Faculty Advisor

Lukas is a junior at Austin Peay State University working towards a bachelors in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. He is working towards becoming a wildlife biologist, with an internist in animal behavior and conservation. Outside of school, Lukas volunteers at a wildlife rehabilitation center and takes care of his many pets. He attended WYSE during the summer of 2023 and was a JFA in the summer of 2025. He is very excited to return!

Madeline is an Environmental Science undergraduate at Georgia Tech, pursuing a
minor in Energy Systems and a Sustainable Business Certificate. She works with
the Tang Research Group, exploring rare earth element transformations for clean
energy applications. Madeline also contributes to methane emissions research
through Georgia Tech’s Methane Project team and was part of the first-place
Plastathon team developing a plastic-reduction app. She enjoys reading, hiking,
and photography. She uses visual storytelling to advocate for environmental
awareness and inspire curiosity through creativity and science.

Gabby is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and is an upcoming junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studies Environmental Studies, Political Science, and Public Policy. After attending the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2023, she left inspired to pursue environmental conservation through Policy. At UW–Madison, she has continued to explore how policy can drive solutions to environmental challenges.

Outside the classroom, Gabby enjoys aviation, reading, collecting old maps, and getting outdoors whenever she can. As a Junior Faculty Advisor, she is excited to help students dive into the WYSE experience, challenge their perspectives, and discover their own path in protecting the environment.

Abby is a dedicated student who has always been interested in the environment. She fell in love with birds after watching wildlife cameras online during the pandemic. A high achiever in school, she wishes to continue her studies to become an avian veterinarian focused on wildlife rehabilitation. Currently, she attends Western Carolina University and is pursuing a B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Natural Resource Management.

Victoria is an undergraduate student at Duke University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marine science and Conservation with a minor in Environmental Science and Policy. She is originally from Puerto Rico, where she has been involved in marine turtle conservation and research since she was 8 years old. Victoria is also engaged in marine mammal research and conservation as well as coral reef restoration. In high school, she was very active in FFA, which sparked a lasting interest in agriculture and its intersection with humans and the environment, even though she does not formally study it anymore. Outside of academics, she enjoys painting, musicals, Formula 1, reading, and especially anything related to the environment.

Julia is a Junior at George Mason University pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science
with a concentration in conservation. Outside of school, she spends her time rock
climbing, both indoors and outdoors. Julia enjoys her time at WYSE and feels that WYSE
encouraged her plans to study Environmental Science in college. Her most memorable
experience was the trip to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, where she is
attending a semester in the fall studying endangered species. A staff member since
2023, she is exited to be returning to WYSE as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2025!