NATHANIEL APONTE
Advance Team Member
Nathaniel Aponte is a senior at Christopher Newport University studying Marketing and Graphic Design. He hopes to pursue a career in digital marketing after finishing school. Nathaniel enjoys photography, museums, coffee shops, outings with friends, and listening to his favorite artist, Future.
NATHANIEL APONTE
Advance Team Member
Nathaniel Aponte is a senior at Christopher Newport University studying Marketing and Graphic Design. He hopes to pursue a career in digital marketing after finishing school. Nathaniel enjoys photography, museums, coffee shops, outings with friends, and listening to his favorite artist, Future.
Julie Walker completed her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on the influence of climate change on coastal ecosystems and investigating the potential for the advancement of coastal wetland management. Prior to her graduate studies Julie worked at the Chesapeake Bay Program, where she was a part of the Stewardship goal team aimed at increasing science literacy, public access, and land protection. In her current position as a Postdoctoral Researcher for the University of Massachusetts and USGS Woods Hole, she works on utilizing geospatial data to assess the influence of historical human modifications on salt marsh vulnerability to sea-level rise. In her spare time, Julie likes exploring nature, whether it’s paddleboarding, taking pictures while hiking, or walking her dog.
Born and raised in Fairfax, VA, Thomas is a George Mason alum, where he received his B.S. in Environmental Science. While at George Mason, Thomas was involved with Student Government, Greek Life, and was an Orientation Leader. After graduating, Thomas went on to work for the University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory as a lab assistant before moving to Baltimore to teach middle school science. He is now a teacher in Fairfax, VA. His hobbies include going to the movies, rock climbing, and volleyball.
Olga is a George Mason University alumna. She graduated with a degree in Government and International Politics. Olga currently works in the Office of Admissions as the Honors College Admissions Counselor. She loves working with prospective students to help them see fit in Mason, and working with current Mason students who are part of the Honors College Recruitment Team. Olga loves going on road trips, spending time with her cat, and trying new restaurants in DC.
Ben Rich is an AP Environmental Science and Physics teacher at the Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) in Montclair, NJ. After earning a BA in Physics at Colgate University he earned a MEd at the University of Maryland. As the Sustainability Coordinator and Green Roof Director at MKA, he leads both students and faculty in making the school more environmentally friendly and led the school to earn the Green Flag Award from Eco-Schools USA twice. During each summer from 2013-2018 he traversed the US on an electric motorcycle making Youtube videos to encourage quicker EV adoption. Now he drives a Tesla Model 3 across the US, with his latest trip traveling 21,000 miles in 2 months. He is the Co-Chair of the Montclair Environmental Commission, leading projects to reduce the carbon footprint of the town. In his free time he hikes mountains, paddle boards on rivers, and swing dances in NYC.
Lauren Novorska is majoring in Ecosystem Science and Policy and Anthropology and minoring in Sustainable Business and Climate Science and Policy at the University of Miami. She is pursuing a career in environmental policy and education and is passionate about human-wildlife conflict, climate change, and educating students about ecological issues. She is an Everglades Coalition Conference scholarship recipient, serves as the President for the Pi Epsilon National Environmental Science Honor Society, works with the University of Miami Law School Environmental Justice Clinic Shifting Power Course, and is a Lead Educator and Mentor Volunteer for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Lauren’s experience as a delegate, intern, and JFA at WYSE has been life-changing, and she hopes to make the conference an incredible experience for other delegates!
Allen Yuan (he/him) is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, where he is a recent graduate of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity Living Learning Program in the Honors College. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Management, which he hopes to use to aid in creating a sustainable future that is not only environmentally-sound but also successfully serves every demographic. His interest in environmental science began with a childhood obsession with cetaceans, which has unwaveringly transferred to the present. Allen’s hobbies include baking, figure skating, sitting out in the sun, and hanging out with friends. He attended WYSE in 2021 and served on the Youth Advisory Board after the program. He returned as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2023 and is excited to do it again this summer! He hopes to help make WYSE 2024 as special and valuable of an experience as it was for him.