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Category: Staff

Jacob Kaufman

Jacob Kaufman

Junior Faculty Advisor

Jacob Kaufman is from Frederick, MD. He is a rising Sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park majoring in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences with a minor in Geographical Information Systems. Jake is super passionate about the climate, and he is pursuing the field of meteorology and loves to be asked questions about the weather! He is involved in a number of extracurriculars, including being a member of the American Meteorological Society, a paid employee of the Maryland Hydronet, and an intern for the Climate Resilience Network. Jake’s favorite hobby is watching movies, and his favorite genre is horror! This is the third straight summer he’s been involved with WYSE: one as a delegate, one as an intern, and now as a JFA!

Allyson Ponn

Allyson Ponn

Faculty Advisor

Allyson is the Education and Program Support Specialist with one of Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. There, she leads all education and outreach programming on behalf of the district and works with agricultural landowners and homeowners to install best management practices for local soil and water quality. While studying at James Madison University, she got involved in local food production and conservation. This led to a career focused on environmental education where she has worked in school and community gardens, food access, agriculture, and K-12 science curriculum development. Outside of her work, she manages her local farmers market and community garden. Allyson is also an avid gardener, loves to cook and spend time outside with her husband and son.

Vienna Gurev

VIENNA GUREV

Intern

Vienna Gurev was born and raised near Philadelphia in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. She is currently a senior at Kennett High School and is preparing to study science in college. She is an avid reader, musician, and artist, and is passionate about environmentalism and social justice. Vienna is dedicated to a myriad of interests including music theory, poetry, foreign language, sustainability, computer science, photography, travel, and community service. 

Lukas Levy

LUKAS LEVY

Junior Faculty Advisor

I am currently a sophomore at Austin Peay State University working towards a bachelors in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. I am working towards becoming a wildlife biologist, hopefully focusing on conservation. Outside of school, I volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center and take care of my ferrets. I attended WYSE during the summer of 2023 and am very excited to return!

Julius Rodriguez

JULIUS RODRIGUEZ

Junior Faculty Advisor

Julius Rodriguez is a third-year student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a dual major in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience. Beyond the academic realm, his heart belongs to the natural world. His bedroom serves as a lush haven for 42 diverse plant species, and he shares his life with Peaches, his beloved 2-year-old African spurred tortoise. Julius’s free time is dedicated to exploring the psychological avenues to inspire environmental consciousness and foster a deeper connection between people and the environment.

Maddie Weller

MADDIE WELLER

Junior Faculty Advisor

Madeline Weller is an Environmental Science undergraduate at Georgia Tech, pursuing a minor in Energy Systems and a Sustainable Business Certificate. With a strong foundation in lab and field research, she currently 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. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, hiking, and photography. She leads Maddie’s Moments Photography, using visual storytelling to advocate for environmental awareness and inspire curiosity through creativity and science. As a WYSE 2023 alum, Madeline is so excited to be back at WYSE to cultivate an inspirational and motivational atmosphere for students to learn about the environment!

Gabby Heling

GABBY HELING

Junior Faculty Advisor

Gabby is from Oshkoah Wisconsin and is a sophomore at UW-Madison majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies with a minor in Public Policy. She attended WYSE in 2023 where she found a passion for environmental sustainability though the lenses of government with policy regulations. She has experience in both sustainability and government. A fun fact Gabby is that she is horrified of camels and will be avoiding them at any zoo. She looks forward to meeting the Delegates at this year’s Summit!

Isabella Klaus

ISABELLA KLAUS

Intern

Isabella Klaus is a senior at Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, VA, who participates in many activities, including cross country, swimming, track, and lacrosse, as well as multiple honor societies. As a volunteer for her local aquarium, Isabella has put over 300 hours into the marine science field as a docent , talking to guests about the animals and their habitats. Going into college in the following year, Isabella’s love of the outdoors and the water has inspired her plans to study marine biology and pre-veterinary studies, in the hopes of working for an organization like NOAA or Ocearch some day. Isabella attended WYSE as a delegate in 2023, and is delighted to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board this year. 

Abby Engel

ABBY ENGEL

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. After she attended WYSE in 2023, Abigail went on to lead volunteers at a local program that brought speakers from around the country to educate people in her community about problems facing the environment and their solutions.

Elijah Birch

ELIJAH BIRCH

Intern

Elijah Birch is a student from Rootstown highschool in Ohio. He participates in many activities including band, bowling, drama club, quizbowl, baseball. He also participates in college credit plus programs offered at his school along with AP classes. He wants to go to college for enviornmental science when he graduates high school.