Hi! My name is Olivia and I am a sophomore (Class of 2022!) double majoring in Africana Studies and Music. Even though I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota, I am still scared of the snow and prefer to be in 90 degree heat. I am excited to be able to explore the Wellesley landscape through music, art, history and race. I believe in the interconnectedness of all things and have a deep connection to nature. Imbedded in my connection to nature is an anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-capitalist standpoint. Around campus you can find me drumming with Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble!

Hi, I’m Aiyana Vazquez, from Houston, TX, and I’m a part of the green class of ‘25. I am a prospective Geoscience and/or ES major, with interests in ecology and planetary science. Growing up, my oasis from the cluttered concrete scaffoldings of city life was watching reruns of David Attenborough documentaries and reading too many books that I don’t remember the name of. In my brief time at Wellesley, I have acquired an affinity for misty mornings and day-old bagels, carrying a worn-out Austen novel in the tote bag that I will never reach for, and playing a dangerous game of tug of war between my rings and hair before an 8 am class. I vividly remember writing about the Paulson Initiative in my WhyWellesley application essay, not imagining that I would get the opportunity to intern as a first-year. I am excited about the prospect of broadening my awareness of socio-environmental issues, harvesting new ideas of affordable sustainability, and watching animals grow fatter as they swell for the winter.

Hi, my name is Chantaly Villalona, Class of 2022. I am a geoscience major who loves all things soil. Upon graduating from Wellesley I aspire to attend graduate school to become a geoengineer and then teach as a professor in underserved communities. I was granted the opportunity to conduct research during my first-year summer through the Paulson Initiative as part of the Water Challenge. That summer I worked on hydrological preliminary studies where we conducted site analysis, soil texture tests, and remediation experiments. Through the mentorship provided by this lab, I was fortunate to continue as a Sophomore Early Research Program research student, building on my summer research, and have had an opportunity to present my work at many conferences, including ABRCMS. 

My name is Amy Quintanilla, and I am a rising Sophomore from Panorama City, California. I plan on majoring in Environmental Physics and hope to attend graduate school for Environmental Engineering afterwards. This summer I was given the opportunity to participate in the Water Challenge; my team within the project focused on biodiversity within the Paramecium Pond system on campus and how we can preserve life while introducing a new, sustainable water source. This program has allowed me to view our campus and the nature it holds in a new light, and I am excited to continue working with the Water Challenge this school year. 

Hello! My name is Karla Macias and I'm currently a sophomore (Class of 2022). I'm from Los Angeles, California and came to Wellesley to major in Physics. Although unsure where I want to specialize in the field, once I graduate Wellesley I hope to attend graduate school for a Masters in Engineering. Wellesley is a beautiful place and I'm happy to have the opportunity to see and share the research that goes on in Wellesley on the web. I currently hold the website assistant position for the Paulson initiative and I work at the late night co-op, Cafe Hoop!

Matilda Berke '21 is double-majoring in IR-Economics and English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Pursuant to her passions for analysis, global thinking, and artistic expression, she hopes to -- as part of her involvement with the Paulson Initiative -- create a collection of poetry exploring a variety of individuals' unique relationships with different parts of the Wellesley campus. Besides writing, she loves skiing; travel; and being outside, preferably near large bodies of water. While she originally hails from Pasadena, CA, New England's landscape and seafood have completely won her over to the East Coast!