Vernal Pools Reserve Team for Fall 2015

Christian Castro, Project Manager

Christian Castro is a fourth year Mechanical engineer student. Christian is the project manager of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pool Reserves. He chose to be the project manager of the Vernal Pool Reserves because he wanted to practice his leading skills as well as to get a more in depth understanding about the history of Vernal Pools and how they play a crucial role as part of our campus.  Christian wants to implement the skills he has acquired from pursuing his academic focus into field work. Christian is known as a humorous person who always looks to put a smile on your face.

Anna Vergara, Assitant Project Manager

Anna Vergara is a fourth year Management and Business Economics student. Anna is the assistant project manager of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pools Reserve. She chose this team because it would give her a great opportunity to learn more about the natural reserve and more about the background of the university because it is a project close to the UC. Although this is not an area of expertise for her, she is interested in the nature and history of it all. Anna is a transfer student from south Los Angeles. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as hiking and nature. She also loves and enjoys being involved in sports.

Sean Quarnstrom, Inventory and Procurement Officer

Sean Quarnstrom is a fourth year Earth System Science student. He is the Procurement & Finance Officer for the Vernal Pool Reserve Engineering Service Learning team. He has served as a Senator for the Associated Students of UC Merced. Sean looks forward to having a better understanding of the Vernal Pools that surround the campus. He looks forward to working in the automotive industry, focusing on renewable energy. He also enjoys audio engineering and has worked on various technical productions.

Christopher Lopez, Intellectual Property Officer

Christopher Lopez is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student. Christopher Lopez is the Intellectual Property Officer for the Vernal Pool Reserve team. He chose this because he was curious on what the class was like, but now he wants to see what it is like to work on a real engineering project. He wishes to gain as much experience with the time he has have left in college and would like to know what it is like to work in a professional environment. Christopher does not have any professional experience but he did graduate high school. He has worked on taking apart and putting back together a car engine for his summer vacation.

Maya Martinez, Communications Officer

Maya Martinez is a fourth year Management student. Maya is the communications officer of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pool Reserve. She chose this particular project because it is one of the many reasons why UC Merced is so unique and she wanted to learn more about it. Outside of the classroom she is involved as executive officers in Delta Delta Delta and Alpha Kappa Psi. She enjoys traveling and exploring cities to experience their particular culture. In the last year she has traveled to five different states and explored over 10 cities!

Lynne Diep, Webmaster

Lynne Diep is a second year Computer Science and Engineering student. Lynne is the Webmaster of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pool Reserve. She chose this team because she is highly interested in designing and developing ideas for the benefit of the reserve. Academically, Lynne has worked with Team Get S.E.T. in developing supplementary science curriculum for Merced County schools. She is often found enjoying time with friends and devouring madeleine cookies whenever she can.

Blaz Serna, Groundwater Sub-Team Leader

Blaz Serna is a third year Physics major with and emphasis in Math. Blaz is the Team Leader of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pool Reserve. He chose this project for the reason that it was a great opportunity to work in an outside environment and contribute to the ecosystem management. Academically, Blaz isinterested in working with the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve to raise awareness and perform design-based innovations. Just recently, Blaz startedworking with Professor Tian, and is hoping to receive more experience with research and writing his own thesis. He also enjoys hiking and camping at Yosemite, and spends most of his summer outdoors. Above all, Blaz has a passionate interest to work in an outside environment, and contribute to the improvement of the ecosystem.

Hunter Drobenaire, History Sub-Team Leader

Hunter Drobenaire is a third year Bioengineering student with an interest in genetics and molecular biology. Hunter is the Team Leader for the History sub-group as part of the Engineering Service Learning team Vernal Pools and Grasslands Reserve. Uncovering the past of a specialized piece of land native to California interested Hunter into wanting to learn more about how it has changed over time, especially since the introduction of the University of California, Merced. He likes to learn about odd topics and has a deep interest in music. Going outdoors and taking a hike or bike ride are one of his favorite activities.

Ediel Lopez, Windmill Sub-Team Leader

Ediel is a second year, Materials Science & Engineering student. Ediel is the Team Leader for the Windmill sub-group as part of the Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve team. The close proximity of the vernal pools coupled with his desire to make a positive impact within his growing university led him to join Engineering Service Learning. As of his second year, Ediel continues to be an active member of Ingenieros Unidos and has recently begun doing research at the MESA Lab. During his freetime, Ediel enjoys running and taking frequent trips to San Francisco. By the end of the course Ediel expects to have a better understanding of how to apply his skills in a professional environment.

Tamunotubo George, Team Member

Tamunotubo O. George is a first year Bioengineering student. Tamunotubo is a member of the sub team that specializes in the windmills which is a major sustainability tool for the vernal pools. He chose it because he was interested in the program and the more he knew about vernal pools and the role it played in sustaining distinctive plants and animals that were most times endangered, he knew this was the right program for him. Also Tam’s major involves using engineering principles in biological systems, so this program gave him a bit more insight into his major seeing he is just a freshman. Tam enjoys playing soccer in his sparetime. Tam also enjoys learning about stuff he never knew nothing about—like the vernal pool for instance

Breena Torquato, Team Member

Breena Torquato is a fifth year Mechanical Engineering student. Breena is a team member of the Engineering Service Learning team for Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve. She chose this team because she was interested in learning about this fragile reserve. Academically, Breena was part of Energy Service Corps, where she gained experience working in a team towards a common goal. She enjoys spending quality time with her friends and played for the UC Merced Club Softball team for almost two years. Breena is a horrible procrastinator but strives to overcome this bad habit.

Brandon Yang, Team Member

Brandon is a first year Mechanical Engineering student. He is a team member of the Engineering Service Learning Vernal Pool Reserve team. Brandon chose this team because he wanted to gain professional experience in the engineering and that he wanted an excuse to roam around in the wilderness. Being a first-year, his accomplishments may be limited now, but he intends to ge tinvolved in everything as time goes on. Brandon loves to goof off in any means possible whenever he finds the time, which ranges from books and games to making tin foil men and leaving them in weird places

Lorenzo Manag, Team Member

Lorenzo Manag is a fifth year Mechanical Engineering Major. He is part of the Windmill team for the Vernal Pool Reserve Engineering Service Learning Team. He chose this team looking forward to hands-on fieldwork that is relative to his major. Engineering Service Learning is an impactful program for UC Merced students and he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity while he still could. Lorenzo has previously been with the Team Get S.E.T. Engineering Service Learning Team helping develop STEM curricula for Merced County Schools. Lorenzo’s hobbies include music production, playing basketball and photography.