Meet the dedicated Summer 2023 Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) interns, a diverse and passionate group committed to addressing environmental challenges with a focus on environmental justice. This talented cohort is paving the way for a greener and more equitable future, driven by their enthusiasm and determination to make a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole. Continue reading to learn more about their background and what they’ve been working on this summer.
Name:
Kameron Lloyd
School and Major:
Vanderbilt University majoring in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Communication of Science and Technology
How did you get interested in environmental justice? What drew you to NASA?
I was first introduced to environmental justice in a climate change journalism class where I wrote an article on the EJ movement in Newark, NJ. I was inspired by the incredible activists I had the opportunity to speak with throughout the project and continued pursuing research and work related to EJ. I then had the opportunity, my junior year, to intern for NASA DEVELOP on an EJ project related to flooding in Kansas City and this summer I am interning with the EEJ program. I was drawn to NASA as I believe scientific research, specifically the way it is conducted and communicated, has the potential to empower environmental justice communities historically excluded from these academic spaces. I think remote sensing data can be used to complement lived experiences shared by these groups and call attention to environmental inequities that often may otherwise go unaddressed.
Describe what your work is like at NASA. What’s your favorite part of the job so far?
As an EEJ intern, I’m responsible for writing a white paper identifying areas of opportunity for the EEJ program as well as the most effective outreach and management strategies. I also work on various other communications projects including creating a hyperwall presentation demonstrating EEJ work to present at conferences, creating project summaries, and developing a newsletter. My favorite part of the job so far is getting to meet so many other people who are also passionate about EJ and learning more about the ongoing EEJ projects at NASA!
What are your goals?
My goals for the term are to speak with people across the program and learn as much as I can about environmental justice and the way that research is conducted at NASA!
What are your hobbies?
Running, traveling, and waterskiing!
Kameron in her backyard
Kameron water skiing at Loon Lake in the Adirondacks
Kameron at Montserrat (outside of Barcelona where she studied abroad)
Name:
Izellah Sanchez
School and Major:
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Double majoring in Sociology and Geography
How did you get interested in environmental justice? What drew you to NASA?
Growing up in what is considered an environmental justice community, I became interested in understanding why communities like my own dealt with the burdens of pollution, contamination, etc. Much of my involvement with environmental justice first came about as I intended to learn of ways to mitigate the effects of environmental hazards and injustices. As I began to familiarize myself with the various histories of environmental justice communities, including my own, I began to feel compelled to continue to expand the scope of my environmental justice involvement with the hope of being able to bridge the gap between institutional resources and the communities that need them.
Thus, NASA was an intriguing next step as I thought it exciting to be able to work with what is largely known as a space agency, but to do work that focused on using NASA resources to address environmental justice concerns. I wanted to learn more about what NASA was doing regarding environmental justice and, ultimately, bring that knowledge back home!
Describe what your work is like at NASA. What’s your favorite part of the job so far?
So far, much of our work as interns has involved working with recent ROSES proposals. We have learned of the process and the details of the projects that aim to address various environmental justice concerns in different regions of the country.
My favorite part of the job so far has been working with the EJ team at NASA and learning of the different ways people are working to improve upon environmental justice work at NASA. Every intern has such unique paths, and each strives for different goals, it has been very exciting going into the work that we do knowing that there is much to learn from the different perspectives being brought from the team.
What are your goals?
As I am working to finish my undergraduate studies, I hope to continue to work within communities on mitigation efforts as well as familiarizing myself with environmental justice policies. While much is still unclear, I am currently thinking of pursuing a master’s in urban planning, and potentially going to law school to become an environmental lawyer.
What are your hobbies?
When I am not working on my academic or NASA intern duties, I like to thrift at the various thrift shops and flea markets here in Los Angeles! I love to upcycle clothing and help run a sustainable fashion club at UCLA!