Hi! My name is Caitlyn Taylor (she/her), and I'm from Santa Cruz, California. I am currently a third-year Environmental Studies and Biology student at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. My passion for sustainable agriculture started as an intersection of my interests- cooking and baking, conservation biology, and fighting food insecurity in my community. I am curious about how different fields can work together to find a sustainable future, sustainable for both the environment and the people working towards it. 

Outside of school, I love exploring the outdoors through camping or finding a great hidden swimming hole. I enjoy spending long nights with family and friends, sharing food and playing board games. 

I am extremely excited to get my hands dirty, working towards a sustainable future through the SOAR-REEU!

Hi, my name is Brianna Colborn (she/her). I am originally from Crookston, MN. But I am finishing my third year at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where I am studying biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I’m interested in how my understanding of biochemistry and Molecular Biology can be applied to agricultural research, learning more about what agricultural research looks like in terms of lab work and other areas outside of fieldwork, and how I can connect the two. In my free time, I enjoy figure skating, watching TV shows and movies with my roommates, reading, spending time outside in a hammock, camping, crocheting, spending time with friends, and going on random side quests to look at things. When it came to finding out about SOAR-REEU, I found out through CFANS Instagram. When it comes to the program, I’m excited to build on my research skills, but also to get the chance to meet everyone in the cohort. 

Hello, my name is Allan Jeandron Jr. (he/him), but I go by either Allan or Al. I am from New Orleans. I am majoring in Plant and Soil Science, and my concentration is medicinal plants. This is my third semester as Vice President of LSU's Horticulture Club. I enjoy teaching the club members the basics of plant care and propagation. My interests include plants, hiking, sightseeing and fishing. In my free time, I like to explore whatever area I am in and tend to my houseplants and outdoor plants. 

I heard about this program through an email sent out to all undergraduates in the School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences. I am most excited about the fieldwork because I love getting my hands dirty and working in the soil. This internships matters to me because I have a passion for sustainable solutions to agricultural problems, especially with changing and erratic climate events, like the historic snowfall Louisiana received last January, which killed many native plants.

Hello! I’m Arabelle (she/her/hers). I grew up on a small family farm in Minnesota before finding my way to Grinnell College in Iowa, where I have just finished my second year as a biology major. I take pride in feeding my local community and have loved the nature that surrounded me from the start. I am building a career of applied knowledge of research, agriculture, and society to contribute toward increasingly equitable and sustainable food production. After Grinnell, and likely graduate education, I hope to return to operate my family’s farm in Minnesota and work in agriculture and environmental management.

In addition to remaining involved in production on my family’s farm, I am an active 4-H alum and volunteer. I love showing and handling animals, particularly llamas, sheep, and AKC labrador retrievers. I am also a clarinetist, currently working towards an August performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.

I was referred to this SOAR-REEU program by my academic advisor and am thrilled to be spending the summer developing my research literacy and technical skillset. I am particularly excited to further my understanding of the agroecosystems that I know, love, and intend to work in.

I am a current student at Smith College in Massachusetts, studying environmental science and engineering! I’ve grown up in the Twin Cities and continue to be inspired by the ways that communities pursue environmental health and justice. I spent some time during high school working with the Grossman Lab and can’t wait to continue this in a more long-term program. Personally, I’m drawn to work that recognizes how the earth reflects our global context and interconnected systems. Specifically, I enjoy analyzing the intersections of social and scientific spheres to better understand how we can reshape food systems to prioritize connectivity and livability. I see this reflected in the in-depth work that is done by the labs within CFANS, and am incredibly excited to join the Grossman Lab team and support their work around organic agricultural practices.

When I’m not focused on work or school, I love spending time outside along the Mississippi, seeing live music with friends, and checking out new food spots (some favorites include Lu’s Sandwiches and Hard Times Cafe!) I’m really looking forward to getting to know this cohort much better over the Summer and can’t wait to learn about what each person is studying.