Cohort 2022

Grant Coleman was a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Sustainability in 2022. He is now a rising senior, interested in topics such as marine conservation, water management, aquatic toxicology, air pollution, sustainable horticulture & fisheries, sustainable architecture, and regenerative living. Grant is aspiring to combine his interest in conservation and restoration to research both locally and internationally.

• Coleman, Grant, et al.,  The Relationship Between Proximity to a Major Road and PM2.5 in Chicago during Late Spring (May—June) 2022, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

Ethan Bower is a part-time student worker at the School of Environmental Sustainability and a student-researcher with the 2022 Community Air Research Experience (CARE) team. As a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Environmental Economics and Sustainability, Ethan has taken a research interest in the different kinds of pollution that affect the planet.

• Bower, Ethan, et al., Monthly Comparison of PM10 Concentrations in the Greater Chicago Area from 2006-2021, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

Abbey Haynes is a Loyola University Chicago undergraduate studying environmental science and Chinese language & culture. She is passionate about issues facing BIPOC and underserved communities such as environmental racism and economic insecurity. Her intersecting identities are crucial to her work as an aspiring environmental scientist and activist. Abbey wants to keep exploring new ways to heal the lines dividing humans from the land as well as from each other. In addition, she hopes to learn how to establish sustainable, equitable practices on a global scale. On-campus, she is involved in several extracurriculars e.g., an SDMA Student Leader, Student Environmental Alliance, Sunrise Movement LUC, Restoration Club, Chinese Cultural Association, and Asian Students in Action.

• Haynes, Abbey, et al., Evaluating Air Quality Improvement in Chicago’s Southside Using EPA Air Sensor Data, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

Alyssa Olivera Cerpa is an undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago.  She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is pursuing a major in Environmental Science with a minor in Studio Art. As a first-year student, she is interested in participating in research opportunities to learn more fully about the relationship between social and environmental justice.

• Olivera Cerpa, Alyssa, et al., The Relationship Between Land Development Levels and PM2.5 in North East and East Central Illinois, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

Ixchel Barraza Zapata is an undergraduate student from Loyola University of Chicago majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Political Science and Global Studies. At Loyola, Ixchel is involved with extracurriculars like the First Year Experience program as a Peer Advisor, SDMA program as a STARS leader, and Student Environmental Alliance. Ixchel is passionate about advocating and educating people about intersectional environmentalism to understand how marginalized communities and the environment are interconnected. Ixchel is ardent about prioritizing the people who are experiencing environmental injustices by uplifting their stories and supporting climate and racial conscious policies.

• Barraza Zapata, Ixchel, et al., Demographics and PM2.5 Concentrations in Edgewater and Southeast Chicago, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

Andy Estrada is a junior at Loyola University Chicago studying molecular and cellular neuroscience on the pre-medical track. Andy is interested in understanding how air pollution affects underserved communities. Andy would like to use skills to help bring awareness about these issues to local communities. Andy looks forward to working on a team. There is much work to be done, but through collaboration, work can be made light.

• Estrada, Andy, et al., The Relationship between Non-English Speaking Communities and PM2.5 in the Chicago Metropolitan Area during 2015–2022, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022. 

Nicolina Piccolo is a Sophomore at Loyola University Chicago working towards a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Economics. Nicolina is from Spokane, Washington and grew up hiking and camping with family and formed passions for the outdoors and the conservation of wildlife. Nicolina current interests include renewable energy, specifically solar and hydropower, and environmental economics. Nicolina loves to run and hike, as well as paint and spend time with friends during free time.

• Piccolo, Nicolina, et al.,  Assessing the Contribution of Traffic to the Diurnal Variability and Weekday vs. Weekend Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations in Chicago Communities Using PurpleAir Monitors, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.

Mereya Riopedre is a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Urban Studies and Global Studies. She is passionate about environmental justice, specifically food waste, which she pursues through her work as President of the Loyola Chicago chapter of the Food Recovery Network. Outside of environmental science, she works as a group fitness instructor and is a senator with the Student Government of Loyola Chicago.

• Riopedre, Mereya, et al., The Relationship Between Walkability and PM2.5 within Chicago and Across the United States, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Chicago, 12-16 December 2022.