Cohort 2023

Ciara Rose Belfiore (she/her) is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S in Environmental Science: Conservation and Restoration Ecology at Loyola University of Chicago. She is from the suburbs of Chicago. Ciara is interested in exploring how disparities in air quality affect marginalized communities and what can be done to conserve clean air. She is passionate about nature education. In her free time she likes to swim, rock climb, and hike. 

Thomas Crabtree (he/him) is a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago studying Environmental Policy with minors in Environmental Communication and Urban Studies. Thomas is from Annapolis, Maryland, and his love for the environment stems from the time he spent on and around the Chesapeake Bay. He is passionate about studying the intersectionality of environmental and social issues in hopes of addressing these issues in his future career. Thomas is the secretary of Loyola’s Student Environmental Alliance and Restoration Club and is interested in increasing sustainability in the energy industry. 

Kyleigh Miklos (she/her) is a second-year undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago studying environmental science and political science. On campus she is involved with extracurriculars such as Students for Sustainable Energy through Anaerobic Digestion (SSEAD) as Secretary, Loyola Votes, and volunteering for the Student Organization for Avian Relief. Kyleigh is currently interested in topics such as wildlife biology, international environmental politics, environmental justice, renewable energy, and avian conservation.

Andromeda Nerge (they/them) is an undergraduate student at Loyola University of Chicago studying Biology with a focus in Ecology as well as a minor in Environmental Science. Andromeda is from Grayslake, IL and their passion for the environment stems from working in outdoor spaces like farms and greenhouses as well as from their love of hiking, biking, and generally being outdoors. They are very interested in sustainable agriculture and farming as well as habitat restoration and are excited to expand their passion to study air pollution and how it interacts with Chicago's communities.

Anna Ries-Roncalli (she/her) is a freshman CARE student researcher at Loyola University Chicago currently obtaining her BS in Environmental Science and BA in Italian Studies. Her interests include soil toxicology, air pollution, food systems, and urban sustainability. She hopes to continue her work in research, as well as further develop her understanding of the ways in which the people and the environment live and work together.

Wenner, M.M., Ries-Roncalli, A., Whalen, M.C.R., Jing, P. (2024). The Relationship between Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter in a High-Rise Building in Chicago Monitored by PurpleAir Sensors. Sensors, 24, 2493. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082493

Sherelyn Venuso (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago. She is pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science. Sherelyn is passionate about water management, urban development, and sustainable agriculture. She is determined to learn more about how environmental problems affect people’s health, especially those in marginalized communities. At Loyola, Sherelyn is involved in the bioethics club, ASIA club, and grower’s guild.

Megan Wenner (she/her) is a second-year student at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Mathematics and Biology. Megan works as a math SI through Loyola’s Tutoring Center and is involved in extracurriculars including Women in Leadership Loyola, Restoration Club, SSEAD, and Student Environmental Alliance. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, she loves to run, bike, rollerblade, and waterski. Megan’s love of the outdoors has fed her passion in topics like waste management, composting, environmental justice, habitat restoration, and invasive species management. She is excited to dive into undergraduate research with the CARE team.

Wenner, M.M., Ries-Roncalli, A., Whalen, M.C.R., Jing, P. (2024). The Relationship between Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter in a High-Rise Building in Chicago Monitored by PurpleAir Sensors. Sensors, 24, 2493. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24082493

Lydia Wilbon (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and is majoring in Environmental Studies. Lydia has always been passionate about environment and as a junior at Loyola was given the opportunity to research how pollution impacts the atmosphere. Lydia aspires to pursue a career in as an Environmental Science teacher in early childcare education. When she is not busy with school and family, she enjoys playing with her dog, Zippo, and working for the Concordia Place.

CARE students at the Edgewater Environmental Coalition in spring 2023

CARE students at the Southeast Environmental Task Force in spring 2023