As a Senior Design Researcher at Food for Climate League, Stephanie Szemetylo integrates human-centered design and behavioral science to make sustainable food choices intuitive for those who prepare and serve food—and enticing for those who eat it. Her work explores ways to position climate-smart foods, from beans to bivalves, as relevant and appealing to eaters’ needs and values. At the Academic Poster Fair, Stephanie will present FCL’s latest work on plant-based defaults, introducing a leadership workshop and practical toolkit designed to help dining hall leaders and staff implement simple, effective serving strategies that increase plant-based meal uptake.

Josh is a sales manager at Danone, a B Corp food and beverage CPG company, covering colleges and universities. He is the founder of Depositly, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving usage and equity of bottle bill deposits, following creation and implementation of trash bin attachments at the University of Michigan. He has completed research with the University of Michigan creating a more sustainable procurement process. Josh also serves as a council member with the Michigan Good Food Charter.

sara faraj is a first-generation Arab American located in Southeast Michigan; she is a participatory action facilitator and researcher, capacity-building specialist, and strategic grassroots planner passionate about cultivating space for emancipatory praxis and social repair through culture, environmentalism, and collaboration. Her work aims to strengthen and cultivate space for self-determination so that underserved communities can repair, better withstand social and climate shifts, and have the agency to design their communities. Inspired by her ancestral ways of knowing, personal experience in food systems, and research and professional experiences, faraj believes more equitable and livable worlds are possible by embracing Indigenous and traditional food and societal systems. 

At the University of Michigan, she developed campus-wide sustainable food procurement recommendations, tools, and strategies; supported food production at the Campus Farm; and advanced understanding of how urban planners can cultivate healthier community conditions through food systems and beyond.

Josh is a sales manager at Danone, a B Corp food and beverage CPG company, covering colleges and universities. He is the founder of Depositly, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving usage and equity of bottle bill deposits, following creation and implementation of trash bin attachments at the University of Michigan. He has completed research with the University of Michigan creating a more sustainable procurement process. Josh also serves as a council member with the Michigan Good Food Charter.

Daniel Arini helped start Palm-to-Palm during the pandemic after Dr. Francine Dolins suggested the University of Michigan-Dearborn ECO Club work on primate conservation. Palm-to-Palm has since become a nonprofit organization. He is also a board member at-large with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Detroit. Daniel previously was an American Climate Corps member with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he cultivated green workforce development programs. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UM-Dearborn, Daniel was involved in several conservation initiatives while in undergrad, including two environmental clubs which he co-founded in addition to Palm-to-Palm. He was selected to be part of the United Nations Millennium Fellowship program, which empowered him to conceptualize an online 3D museum space for team-based environmental activism. He has held sustainability internships with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as well as the City of Dearborn. 

Jenny Panergo is a passionate advocate for social justice and sustainability, with a strong background in community engagement and environmental initiatives. A graduate of Saint Michael's College (with academic honors) and a former collegiate varsity athlete (soccer and tennis), Jenny's commitment to creating positive change is evident in her diverse experiences.

During her time at Saint Michael's College, Jenny was deeply involved in organizations focused on social justice and sustainability. As a Civil Rights Alliance Leader, she worked directly with refugee communities, addressed campus accessibility issues, and contributed to ecological landscaping projects, including soil restoration. Her internship at Life After Life solidified her philosophy of environmental sustainability as a process of continuous healing and regeneration.

Currently a transportation planner and a soccer player for Detroit City FC, Jenny continues to apply her skills to community and policy initiatives. She is an alumnus of the Challenge Detroit Fellowship program and has collaborated on a historical fiction novel with Joe Covais (2024).

Jenny's dedication to environmental and social responsibility led her to Palm to Palm, where she contributes her expertise to addressing the complex challenges of unsustainable palm oil production. Referred by fellow Challenge Detroit alumnus, Daniel, Jenny is committed to fostering a world where institutions prioritize sustainable procurement and support the autonomy of Global South communities.

May Tsupros joined the Center for Regional Food Systems as the Director of Farm to Institution programs in February 2024, where they oversee the Michigan Farm to Institution, Farm to School, and Farm to ECE Networks, and support the growing local food procurement incentive program: 10 Cents a Meal. In 2025, they joined the CRFS Leadership Advisory Team as the Assistant Director for CRFS Programs, bringing their expertise to center-wide initiatives. 

As an educator, grassroots community connector, and sustainable food systems designer their work centers on racial and economic equity. Previous to their work at CRFS, they served an award winning high-school science teacher and Teach For America Alum. During this time, they co-founded and led Gardeneers, a thriving Chicago School garden non-profit. After their work with the Chicago Public School District, they moved to Ishpeming, Michigan to support the re-imagining of this rural mining community into a regenerative agriculture epicenter as Executive Director of Partridge Creek Farm; a non-profit specializing in farm-to-school, placed based education. 

May is the current Board Chair of the National Farm-to-School Network, and an Executive Board member of Gardeneers and Partridge Creek Farm. 

In her role at MDE, Cheyenne helps Child Nutrition Program sponsors, such as schools and early care and education providers, purchase more Michigan-grown foods to serve in meals to kids. Her work includes developing resources and trainings to educate suppliers, collaborating with statewide and regional partners to conduct outreach, and supporting Michigan's state-funded local purchase incentive grant, 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms. Cheyenne graduated with her Master of Public Health, with a concentration in Climate Change and Health, from Yale University in 2021. She was matched with a job at MDE through the Govern for America fellowship in 2021 and has enjoyed supporting Michigan's children, farmers, and food service providers since then.

Throughout my time at Michigan, I have used my coursework and research experience to explore food systems and coastal ecology, which has strengthened my interest in the social and ecological impact within the fisheries sector. In 2024, I had the opportunity to conduct research on these topics in Costa Rica, and have since spent my time engaging with local food systems through my time with the Detroit Eastern Market and the UM Campus Farm. I am now involved in research surrounding coastal ecology and conservation, where I study coral growth on artificial reefs. Upon graduation in May, I look forward to pursuing opportunities to enhance the sustainability of fisheries through an ecological lens and drive positive change in food systems. 

Meredith focuses on ensuring that all humans are respected across the value chain. She has worked in the corporate human rights space for a technology company and international grocery chain. Most recently, Meredith volunteered for 6 weeks at a migrant worker shelter in Taiwan and realized even more so how resilient supply chains are grounded in protecting human and environmental rights. 

Medical Assistant at Joel Wellness Clinic, an Obesity and weight loss clinic: I support patient care by assisting healthcare providers with screenings, including vitals measurements, EKGs, and A1C tests, while ensuring accurate documentation and timely EMR updates. I also help prepare examination rooms and manage scheduling, follow-up calls, and coordination of tests and medications to enhance clinic efficiency.

Research Assistant at Michigan Medicine: I conduct research under Dr. Wagley on the role of microRNA199a-5p in osteoblast and chondrocyte differentiation. Our goal is to better understand bone regeneration and develop potential treatments for osteoporosis, which disproportionately affects underserved populations with limited access to proper nutrition and preventative care.

Volunteer at Michigan Medicine: I visit patients in their rooms to assist with medical needs and provide companionship to support their comfort and well-being. I also assist nursing staff by restocking medical and personal supplies to maintain smooth patient care operations.

Volunteer at Washtenaw Literacy: I lead group-based tutoring sessions to support adult learners in improving spoken English, writing, and comprehension skills. I work to foster a collaborative and encouraging learning environment to build confidence and engagement.  

Alexandria Galens graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees relating to the environment, biology, and psychology. She then joined U-M’s Office of Campus of Sustainability's Waste, Reducation, and Engagement team. She specializes in sustainable labs and has seen these programs grow significantly under her leadership. Some of these programs include an internal Sustainable Lab Certification Program, a three-part Lab Reuse Program, the International Freezer Challenge, and specialty recycling programs. She is passionate about working one-on-one with researchers and finding creative solutions to complex problems. 

Jake is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business with a concentration in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). He previously spent seven years at the Kraft Heinz Company, where he successfully managed procurement strategies across packaging and operations. Now, as an MDining Student Intern, he is leading strategic initiatives focused on sustainable procurement. With a background in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Jake aims to integrate technical expertise with business strategy to drive sustainable solutions in the food industry. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, golf, and exploring the world of wine.  

Navya is a 4th-year undergraduate student studying Computer Science and Cognitive Science. She chose to participate in the PACLSHR W24 research because she is incredibly passionate about sustainable food systems and food sovereignty, especially within the campus community. She wants to explore sustainability within the field of food procurement, and work towards new ideas for how we can make Michigan Dining more sustainable. Outside of this research project, she has experience in food sustainability through her work with the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program (UMSFP), and the University of Michigan Campus Farm. She works on the leadership team of UMSFP as the Farm Stand Engagement Manager. Her role involves leveraging the Farm Stand as an educational platform to further UMSFP & the Campus Farm’s mission of student food sovereignty.  

My name is Emma Mastroianni, and I am a Sophomore at the University of Michigan, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, on the pre-med track. I was a student within the Sustainable Living Community during my freshman year, and now I am a peer mentor and theme resident advisor for the program. I love working with the Sustainable Living Community to make campus more environmentally oriented and offer incoming students the opportunity to engage in green initiatives