Earth & Environment Team

Suzanne Maher is a physical geographer, which is the branch of geography that is centered on the study of Earth's seasons, climate, atmosphere, soil, streams, landforms, and oceans. Her research is on carbon sequestration and storage in mountain meadow ecosystems and implications for climate resiliency.

Flavia Maria Lake received her MA in Geography at UCLA. She is a first-gen college graduate who attended community college before transferring to UC Berkeley for a BA in Political Economy and International Development. Her research is on the connections between identity, power, and the built environment in cities; specifically how immigrants navigate gentrification and preserve cultural institutions.

Julia Dowell has over six years of experience in the environmental field as an environmental organizer, environmental justice advocate, and geographer. Her work is grounded in the importance of space and place and focuses on protecting communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and climate change. In addition to teaching, Dowell leads a statewide campaign advancing California’s transition to 100% clean energy to protect frontline communities and address the climate crisis. She holds an M.A. in Geography and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy. Dowell is passionate about making geographic concepts accessible and fostering inclusive learning environments where students’ lived experiences are valued. Her master’s thesis examined the unequal impacts of climate change–driven extreme heat on two socioeconomically disparate communities in her hometown of Long Beach, California.

Deb Shulman received her MS in Earth Science at San Francisco State Univeristy and her PhD in Earth and Climate Sciences at the Univeristy of Maine. She spent over 4 years working at the Center for Research in STEM Education at the Univeristy of Maine. She enjoys hiking, exploring different creative outlets, and going on adventures with her family.