2025-2026 TEAM
ZOE BROWN
Zoe was born and raised in Houston, TX, and recently graduated from Tuskegee University with a B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Sciences- Wildlife Sciences. She is interested in marine biology conservation and management and enjoys arts and crafts (clay making, crocheting), being with her dog, Chanel, and spending time near or in the water.
COURTNEY FOUKE
Courtney grew up surrounded by cornfields in Urbana, IL, in a nature-loving family. She was introduced to nature through snorkeling in the reefs of Curacao and hiking in the Idaho Sawtooth Mountains, and graduated from Denison University with a B.S. in Biology. Before joining the RaMP program, she worked as a Primate Technician at the Duke Lemur Center, gaining hands-on experience with the lemur colony. Her research interests lean towards invasion biology and wildlife biology, but she is interested in anything related to aquatic wildlife (fish or turtles). Courtney enjoys doing pretty much anything to be outside and active (hiking, paddleboarding, or any sport) and loves to bake and cook, too!
ORIANA GUTIERREZ
Oriana Gutierrez grew up in the suburbs of Miami and spent her college years in Central Virginia, obtaining her bachelor’s in biochemistry from Washington and Lee University in 2024. She explored various research disciplines, including animal nutrition and neuroscience, before discovering her passion for ecology through a summer research experience at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where she was involved with research that explored the intersection between microbial communities, flowers, and pollinators. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading manhwa, and exploring wild areas in search of various creatures.
JAMES HAWKINS
James is from Henderson, North Carolina, and graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife Science, and Conservation Biology. He is interested in the interactions between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but loves learning about anything in the kingdom Animalia! He hopes to explore plant biology and dendrology during his time with Woods to Water and enjoys video games, film, hiking, and reading/listening to audiobooks in his spare time.
GISELLE HERNANDEZ
Giselle earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Geology from Northern Illinois University. Her research interests include soil sciences, restoration efforts, and hydrology. She is open to learning from different science fields to gear her towards something exciting and possibly her next fixation. She is a foodie and always down to try a new place! During her free time, she enjoys reading a good book, binge-watching a good show, taking nature walks, and dancing her heart out.
GABRIELLE KUPPER
Gabby Kupper was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan, a few blocks from Lake Superior. She graduated in 2025 with a BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Interdisciplinary Astronomy, and a minor in Asian Languages and Cultures, from the University of Michigan. Her research interests include ecology, genetics, evolution, and environmental studies. She enjoys reading, swimming, sewing, watching movies, discovering new music, and is a novice book-binder.
TRISTEN PASTERNAK
Tristen Jax Pasternak is from Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2022 with a degree in English and Writing. Tristen worked at the Arthur Ross Greenhouse and interned with the New York Botanical Garden, where she did field work for the first time! Tristen also was the former coordinator of the NY-RaMP program at Hunter College in NYC from 2024-25. Tristen loves trees, coffee, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
LAURA PHILLIPS
Laura is from Arlington, TX, and is a recent graduate from Sam Houston State University with a BS in Environmental Science and minors in Geography & Geology. She is interested in biogeochemistry and exploring how anthropogenic factors influence natural systems. Her hobbies include hiking, playing in creeks, volleyball, soccer, reading, and watching documentaries.
ISABELLA RIOS
Isabella is from San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Museum Studies. Her research interest lies in the human impact on organisms in our environment, such as the effects of light pollution on insects. Outside of ecology, she enjoys going to museums, playing board games, watching movies and sports, and thrifting.
JOSHUA SORENSON
Joshua is from Harrisonburg, VA and graduated from Liberty University in May 2025 with a degree in General Biology. While in college, he became interested in wildlife ecology particularly herpetology and population ecology. In his free time, he enjoys being outside, reading, listening to music, watching sports, and hanging out with friends.