Research Team

Alexie Leauthaud - Harnett is an observational cosmologist and a professor in the department of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz. She leads a research group that tackles a broad range of outstanding questions in cosmology and galaxy formation. Her primary expertise is in weak gravitational lensing: the deflection of light from distant galaxies by intervening gravitational potentials. She also runs a multifaceted program, Seed Spoon Science, which aims to promote underrepresented Spanish speaking STEM undergraduates, connect with local families, educate the next generation of scientists, and promote urban gardening and sustainable mindsets. 

Layla Scott is a Non-Potable Water Systems (NPWS) Engineering Researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She works alongside Alexie Leauthaud as Project manager of UC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience projects, Seed Spoon Science and Tank to Table, which focus on sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and providing field research opportunities for BIPOC students. Layla’s research centers on decentralized non-potable water systems for irrigation, utilizing rainwater harvesting, greywater, and stormwater in urban, residential, and commercial garden settings. 

James Curtiss is a Sustainable Water Systems Research Intern at UCSC with experience in rainwater harvesting design and research through UCSC programs such as IDEASS and the Tierra Viva Garden with Professor Alexie Leauthaud. As an undergraduate in environmental science, James also has practical work experience in agricultural and irrigation practices and research through his work at the Center for Agroecology Farm Field and involvement in UC Agriculture and Natural Resources irrigation research and extension with Professor Crystele Leauthaud. 

Kaela Reisch is the Urban Gardens Program Manager at The UCSC Village Garden, where she coordinates the education of rain water harvesting for students and community members. One aspect of community education is the design and creation of a rain tank mural to capture the interconnection of the land, the people, and the water. After its inaugural rain season, the mural will be unveiled in a community celebration. Kaela will then utilize the rainwater collection to water the garden during the dry months.