International Internships for Science Students
in partnership with San Diego State University
The Science Exchange Advisory Board
Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D
"J" holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and
Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona, a Master's degree
in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from the Duke University Nicholas
School of the Environment, and a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Spanish
from DePauw University. Since 1989, J has devoted himself to the investigation
and conservation of endangered marine species. J's research and interest
in nature have taken him from South America to the Arctic Circle to conduct
and observe biological conservation projects. Among many other accomplishments,
J co-founded the Grupo Tortuguero in 1998 and WiLDCOAST in 1999. Currently,
J is a Senior Research Scientist at The Ocean Conservancy and has recently founded
Ocean Revolution, a movement linking youth from all over the world in
an effort to conserve and sustain our oceans. He is president-elect of
the International Sea Turtle Society.
Contact Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D.
Kama
S. Dean
Kama holds a Master's degree in Pacific International Affairs from UCSD's
Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies where she
concentrated on international environmental policy and effective consulting
practices. Her undergraduate study was in Government and Latin American
Studies at New Mexico State University. She has worked with non-profit
organizations both in the United States and Latin America for over four
years. Her specialties include campaign strategy development, fundraising,
government relations and research and analysis. She has worked with non-profit
organizations both in the United States and Latin America for almost ten
years.
Contact Kama Dean
Walter C. Oechel, Ph.D.
At San Diego State University Walt is Professor of Biology, Coordinator
of the Ecology Doctoral Program, and the Director of the Global Change
Research Group. He is also Adjunct Professor at the Centro de Investigación
Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE)
in Baja California, Mexico and at the Centro de Investigaciones Biolólicas
del Noroeste (CIBNOR) in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. He received
his bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and his Ph.D. from
the University of California at Riverside. His long list of research projects
includes several in Baja California such as the Integrated Assessment
and Global Change for the Southern California and Baja California Region
and the Educational Program for Atmospheric Science Education in the San
Diego/Tijuana/Ensenada Border Region.
He runs upper division ecology courses through a joint partnership between
SDSU and CIBNOR. He also involves students of all grade levels in his
Baja California research projects through NSF-funded programs such as
the Partnerships Involving the Scientific Community in Elementary Schools
(PISCES) and Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) programs.
Through those programs teachers and students visit the research sites,
and work with data that are brought into classrooms via the internet,
video, and interactive materials and lessons.
Contact
Walter C. Oechel, Ph.D.
Rafael Riosmena-Rodriguez, Ph.D
is Professor of Marine Biology Universidad Autónoma
de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico. His main interests are in two
major research lines: 1) taxonomic reassessment of seaweed species and
2) understanding the role of marine plants in their ecosystems. He has
advised over 30 undergraduate students and 25 graduate students. He has
experience mentoring interns from around world and helps runs an internship
program within Mexico with Spain and Brazil. He also enjoys romance languages
reading, and SCUBA diving.
Diana Gauss Richardson
is a Lecturer in the Geography Department at
San Diego State University, received her Master's degree
from the same
department, and now teaches courses there. She is also the
undergraduate advisor for the department, and the Internship
Coordinator. Her background is in Environmental Policy and Natural Resources
Management. Diana worked as an Interpretive Park Ranger for the National
Park Service, and followed that with a career in
environmental planning and management. She worked for various public and
private agencies with state and federal environmental policies, such as
CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Her role was
primarily as liaison between government agencies and private interests
in her jobs beginning with Environmental Analyst to Environmental Manager.
She presently works full time for San Diego State University, teaching,
among other courses, Environmental and Resource Conservation, and Land
Use Analysis. She advises approximately 80 undergraduate students each
semester, and monitors students participating in internships in environmental
management, natural resource conservation, GIS, and urban planning.
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