About Me
I was born in Santiago Ixcuintla, but my family originates from the pueblos of Amatlan de Jora, Ixtlan del Rio, and Huajicori, Nayarit, Mexico. I grew up on Gabrielino, Kizh, Tongva, and Tataviam Lands in what is now known as East Los Angeles, California. I come from a family of traditional farmers, transnational farmers, and medicinal knowledge keepers. I am currently a Master's student at UCLA in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology under Elsa Ordway. I am also the Ketsal Libre Fellow at Anawakalmekak, LA's only Indigenous school, where I help develop and co-teach scientific curricula centered on Indigenous practices, language, and knowledge.
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Interests
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Education
University of California, Los Angeles September 2022 - Present
M.Sc. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles September 2016 - August 2020 B.Sc. Environmental Science, Minor Conservation Biology |
Research
I am interested in the integration of Indigenous ecological knowledge systems and western understandings of plant community ecology. I collaborate with the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California and Anawakalmekak to develop a baseline understanding of the urban forests that surround the traditional village of Otsuunga (Land of the Wild Rose) in North East Los Angeles. We use remote sensing to inform ongoing Indigenous-led ecological restoration projects in Debs Park, a local 300-acre park, and Chief Ya'anna Regenerative Learning Village. My research is dedicated to the autonomy of Indigenous Peoples as stewards and keepers of their traditional lands, practices, and knowledge.
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