Meet Us
Dr. Elliott White Jr.
Elliott (he/him) is coastal ecosystem scientist who is interested in the effects of climate change on the plants and people of the coastal land margin. His research has spanned the North American Coastal Plain from Texas to the Delmarva Peninsula. He uses an interdisciplinary approach for that draws from ecology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and remote sensing. He is also a Center Fellow, by courtesy, to the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and affliated with the Center for Comparative Studies on Race and Ethnicity (CCSRE). Read more on Elliott's CV!
Fun Facts: 600+ vinyl record collection, 2x Intramural Champion (Ultimate Frisbee and Dodgeball)
Dr. Diana Moanga
From the coasts of the Black Sea to the tropical waters of the Atlantic and the rocky coasts of the Pacific, Diana has always been drawn to the coastal environment. Working at the intersection of the land and the sea, her background is in both Marine Science and in Land System Science. Focused on ecosystem conservation and studying land use and land cover change dynamics, Diana is interested in studying coastal resilience and associated socio-environmental challenges. She enjoys discovering new data insights through geospatial analysis and displaying her results using innovative visualizations.
Hobbies: Enjoys painting landscape and abstract art, playing pool, and ping-pong
Ireland Sherrill
Ireland (she/her) is from Vancouver, Canada, and her lifelong proximity to coastal and forest ecosystems inspires her research interests. Her primary focus is studying the effects of climate and land change on forest ecosystems using an interdisciplinary, conservation-based approach. Ireland’s background is in GIS, federal environmental emergency response, and public outreach.
Hobbies: Hiking, gardening, fermenting, and collecting records
Kylie Wadkowski
Kylie (she/her) earned a BS in Environmental Science with a specialization in water science from the Ohio State University. Due to the critical relation between plant and water dynamics, she is broadly interested in studying the large-scale effects of climate stressors on coastal ecosystems. Her research primarily uses remotely sensed datasets and is excited about the opportunity publicly available satellite data provides. She is also passionate about STEM outreach among underrepresented groups.
Hobbies: Thrifting, taking walks while listening to audiobooks, and ice skating
Mavis Stone
Mavis (they/them) is a 2nd year PhD student researching the socio-environmental impacts of flooding on underserved communities and wetland health in the San Francisco Bay Area. Having grown up in the Bay Area, they are motivated to conduct impactful research that supports wetland protections and intergenerational environmental justice movements in the Bay. Mavis earned their B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Asian American Studies and emphasis (“minor”) in Environmental Analysis at Harvey Mudd College. Since coming to Stanford, Mavis has learned skills in remote sensing, hydrology, and community engagement & participatory design in their pursuit of equitable flood mitigation for underserved communities.
Hobbies: crocheting, freestyle dancing, badminton, longboarding, hiking, sampling tea, testing new art + stationery supplies, visiting art museums
Mel Guo
Mel is a BS Mathematics and MS Computer Science student using remote sensing imagery and machine learning methods to research wetland and riparian vegetation at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. Broadly, she is interested in using satellite imagery to monitor and support local wetland and coastal stewardship.
Hobbies: learning about Bay Area plants and animals, soul music, and making movies with friends
Opal Otenburg
Julia Sharapi
Julia Sharapi (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student in the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER) interested in the intersection of water resource management, climate change, and society. Her work integrates tools and techniques from ecology, hydrology, psychology, and public policy to address and mitigate issues caused by saltwater intrusion and sea level rise. Before starting her PhD, she earned her MS in Ecology and certificate in GIScience at the University of Georgia and her BS in Environmental Studies with a minor in Chemistry from Gettysburg College.
Hobbies: talking, taking long walks, making playlists, drawing, baking
Past Researchers
Laia Bent
Laia (she/her) is an Earth Systems major at Stanford, with minors in Interdisciplinary Arts and Data Science. She is broadly interested in ecosystem conservation, land use change, and their associated socio-environmental challenges. She is also a multimedia art student and is passionate about combining art and environmental research, both for science communication and as part of the research process.
Hobbies: Painting, making music, animation, hiking