Adams, de la Paz, Are Latest Environmental Leaders Nominated for Udall Scholarship
The Udall Scholarship recognizes college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. The Udall Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. We’re proud to share with you the names and biographies of the Northeastern University students nominated for this important award.
Jaime Adams COS’26, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, Chemistry
Mentors: Zhenyu Tian, Madison McMinn
Home State: Connecticut
Jaime is a third-year Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Chemistry major with an interest in addressing environmental pollution through analytical chemistry. Growing up in Connecticut, Jaime spent many years gardening both at home and on a small farm for Real Food CT–a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to sustainably growing produce for donation to local food shelters. While outdoors, she began photographing the insects she came across. These experiences nurtured her interest in sustainable agriculture, food access, and wildlife. At Northeastern, Jaime joined the Tian Lab, where she received a PEAK Base Camp Award for her research on quantifying tire road wear particles. Through this work, she was introduced to the field of analytical chemistry and gained hands-on experience with mass spectrometry. She has presented her research at Northeastern’s RISE and the Northeast Student Chemistry Research conference. She is deeply grateful for the mentorship and support she has received from the Tian Lab group. Aside from research, Jaime is also an active member of the Northeastern University Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (NUSAACS) and EcoScholars. Looking ahead, Jaime plans to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry with a goal of addressing emerging contaminants to create a safer, healthier environment. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and thrifting for clothes, home décor, and unique finds.
Vivian de la Paz COS’26, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
Mentors: Randall Hughes, Kalaina Thorne, Jennifer Bower, Alice Brown, Elena Itämeri, Deedee Hernandez
Home State: New Jersey
Vivian de la Paz grew up primarily in Lodi, New Jersey, though she was born in New York City to Dominican parents. She is currently an undergraduate junior at Northeastern University studying Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. She was driven to this major out of a desire to help people feel safe in their communities.During her first co-op Vivian worked at the Marine Science Center conducting a marsh-restoration research project as a part of the Hughes Lab. In this role she was both able to physically set up the study, and also teach a group of assisting fellows more about climate change and climate adaptation. This work helped Vivian strengthen her science communication skills and cemented her desire to actively work with community members to address climate change concerns.Carrying over her knowledge and motivations from her time at the MSC, Vivian now co-ops for the City of Boston Conservation Commission, whose main role is to protect the City’s wetlands and waterways. In this role she ensures public accessibility to projects relevant to the Conservation Commission by ensuring that hearings, meeting minutes, and relevant documents are publicly available. She also helps facilitate regular site visits which ensure that said projects are in compliance with state and city laws. This enriching experience has inspired Vivian to pursue a graduate degree in city planning, which she hopes will lead to a career in making our cities more sustainable, resilient and equitable in the face of climate change.Vivian enjoys teaching, having TA’d for several classes and volunteered with JumpStart, and apart from academic pursuits she loves all things fashion, music and movies!