Cal-IPC Student Section
The Cal-IPC Student Section is dedicated to expanding opportunities for students and early professionals interested in invasive plant research and management. We want to help the next generation of weed warriors!
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Whether you’re a current student, recent graduate, early-career professional, or if this is the first time you have ever heard of invasive species, we are here for you!
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Join our emailing list to stay up to date on news and events!
Meet the Student Board Members
Rebecca Nelson
Student Section Chair, Student Liaison
3nd year PhD candidate, UC Davis
Becca first became interested in invasive species through participating in Science Olympiad as a high schooler in the Chicago area. She moved to California for her undergraduate degree and studied biology and creative writing. She currently researches how invasive plants affect plant-pollinator relationships in California grasslands for her PhD.
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When she's not chasing after bumblebees, she enjoys watching birds, writing poems, watercoloring, spontaneous dancing, running and baking chocolate chip cookies!
Anthony Dant
Vice Chair, Student Liaison
3nd year PhD student, University of Arizona
Anthony became first involved with ecology after working in a restoration ecology lab during his undergraduate career. He has since obtained a Master's degree in biology working on how urban environments impact the ecology and physiology of organisms. He is now continuing his graduate career by studying how the invasive annual forb Centaurea melitensis has its ecology and evolution affected by urban environments.
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In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, photography, going to concerts, growing Dudleyas, and hiking.
Marielle Simone Hansel Friedman
Secretary, Student Liaison
Entomology PhD student, UC Davis
Marielle is a Ph.D. student at UC Davis in the Entomology Graduate Group in the Meineke Lab. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Oregon and lived in Portland, OR for a few years before returning to California. She performed three years of post-baccalaureate research work at the USDA Western Regional Research Center in the Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Unit in the Pratt lab, where she saw first-hand the devastating ecological impacts that invasive species can have on native environments.
As a Ph.D. student in the Meineke lab, she is interested in exploring the role of urbanization in herbivory of non-native/invasive plants within the context of our changing climate by using diverse methodologies such as biological collections, experiments, fieldwork, and community science. She cares deeply about the future of native insects and plants in our region and hopes to contribute to their management and protection through research and community engagement.
Marielle loves cooking for her friends and family, hiking with her dog and partner, creating insect inspired jewelry, playing guitar/piano, and gardening with her cat.
Kevin Jo
Communication Coordinator,
Student Liaison
Undergraduate Student, Oregon State University
Kevin Jo, a junior year student at Oregon State University majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Hydrology and GIS. Kevin's passion lies in creating a vibrant backyard habitat and growing his own vegetables in his garden. When he's not immersed in his studies, you'll find him dedicatedly trimming weeds and maintaining a thriving ecosystem during his yard work sessions. His green thumb and genuine interest in creating sustainable habitats make him a valuable asset in any project related to environmental conservation.
Kevin's love for nature extends to his furry companion. His cat holds a special place in his heart, and he goes above and beyond to provide a loving and nurturing environment for his feline companion. In his free time, Kevin enjoys exploring his culinary skills and hosting dinner parties for his friends.
