During my senior year of high school, I had the privilege of joining the YouthCARES project as part of the inaugural cohort of student researchers. That experience gave me the opportunity to continue engaging with issues around the global climate crisis, climate justice, and climate civic action beyond the classroom. Now, I have the honor of returning as an undergraduate research mentor.

What I value most about YouthCARES is how it has become something larger than any one of us. I feel that the strength of YouthCARES comes from this continuity and collective effort, where each year builds on the last while continuing to center and empower youth voices.

Hobbies: Traveling, playing ping pong, watching anime, and playing games

"When the youth take initiative, share their ideas, and follow through, it shows that youth are capable of learning with adults and contributing to research meaningfully. And it challenges the convention that the youth is always working under adults, instead they can work with them. Naturally, since this is not something that happens automatically, it is something that we will have to keep building towards."