Meet the Sustainable CORE Fellows - Office of Sustainability

Erica Holmes (she/her) is a sophomore undergraduate student from Vermont studying Environmental Studies and Climate Science. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and earth systems, and she can’t wait to help build a greener Tufts as a Sustainable CORE Fellow! In her free time, she enjoys singing with various groups on campus, swimming, and petting her cats.

Aneeqa Bashir (she/her) is a second-year student in the A&S Undergraduate Program at Tufts, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive & Brain Science with an interest in International Relations. Her commitment to environmental stewardship took root in her native Pakistan, where she worked on national sustainability initiatives integrating ecological preservation, cultural heritage, and community engagement. She has since founded an award-winning youth climate initiative recognized by the United Nations Development Programme, spearheaded urban forestry and heritage conservation efforts, and contributed to public discourse on climate and equity through published op-eds and editorial work. In her free time, she enjoys exploring green spaces with a book in hand, experimenting with inventive recipes, and shaping narratives as a copy executive for The Tufts Daily.

Samara Haynes (she/her) is a senior majoring in International Relations and Environmental Studies and minoring in Chinese. She is passionate about international environmental cooperation, as well as protecting the United States' public lands, which she spends much of her free time exploring. At Tufts, Samara can be found on the river with the Women's Rowing team, biking around campus, and testing new vegetarian recipes.

Alejandro Álvarez Acuña (he/him) is a sophomore pursuing a bachelors degree in International Relations. Born and raised between Costa Rica and Colombia, he is passionate about the intersection between urban development and environmental sustainability. At 16, he moved to an international boarding school in the Netherlands, where he deepened his passion for advocacy and intergovernmental cooperation. In his free time he enjoys to travel and explore new places wherever he's at.

Tianya Liu (she/her) is a sophomore in the Biomedical Engineering program. She is passionate about female and environmental health, and plan to explore the interconnection between them two. In her free time she enjoy traveling, drumming, and journaling.

Rylea Holbert (she/they) is a sophomore in the undergraduate A&S program studying Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She is passionate about environmental policy, community engagement, and resource conservation. In her free time she loves going to concerts, trying out DIY projects, or finding new spots to visit around Boston.

Cameron Piedmont (he/him) is a sophomore from Bloomington, IN studying environmental studies and computer science in the School of Arts and Sciences. He is passionate about environmental justice and sustainability. In his free time, he likes wandering through Boston, reading long novels, and baking vegan treats. He is excited to join the CORE Fellow community!

Jesse Kitumba (he/him) is a sophomore at Tufts University majoring in International Relations with a focus on Globalization. Born in Lansing, Michigan and raised in Kampala, Uganda, Jesse is passionate about sustainability as a global equity issue, particularly how climate change disproportionately affects communities in the Global South. He has been involved in civic engagement initiatives focused on promoting climate justice. In his free time, he enjoys journaling, traveling and playing soccer with friends.

Avani Kulkarni (she/her) is a second year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She is passionate about creating sustainable technologies that are accessible, implementable, and designed to drive environmental justice and progress. In her free time, you can find her building with the Tufts Solar Vehicle Project and painting local landscapes.

Elie Goldman (he/him) is a second-year undergraduate student at the school of Arts and Sciences, pursuing academic interests in environmental policy and international relations and was a participant in the Tufts Civic Semester in Peru. Born in North Carolina and raised in New York, he’s been lucky to be surrounded by public beaches, county parks, and national forests his entire life. Consequentially, he’s passionate about ensuring equitable access to greenspaces globally. In his ever-diminishing free time, you’ll find Elie practicing guitar, going for bike rides, or bingeing Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

Brianna Arce (she/her) is a junior from Honolulu,HI interested in studying Biopsychology, Environmental Studies, and Child Studies/Human Development. More of her interests lie in environmental education, food systems, and public health, to name a few. Brianna enjoys adventuring outdoors, being active, and spending quality time with friends. As a CORE Fellow, she is excited to collaborate with her peers on projects and looks forward to building a more sustainable community on campus.

Siddhant Rathi (he/him) is a sophomore at Tufts University pursuing a double major in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. He is passionate about leveraging biotechnology to advance environmental sustainability, agriculture, and resource-efficient manufacturing—turning waste into energy and creating lasting, equitable solutions. As a member of Tufts Engineers Without Borders, he works to design and implement community-driven projects that address critical needs in low-resource settings. Back home in India, Siddhant founded Aerohouse India, building a greenhouse cultivating native medicinal plants and deepening his connection to his Indian heritage through Ayurveda, the traditional herbal medicine system that emphasises harmony between people and the natural world. In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, reading, and exploring nature.

Ella Sanders (she/her) is a junior from right outside of Philly, PA majoring in Biology. She is very interested in environmental justice and sustainability. On the weekends, you'll find her on walks around campus, reading on the lawn, or studying in Ginn purely for the vibes! As a CORE Fellow, she is excited to engage with the student community and help cultivate a more environmentally conscious campus.

Elena Manson (she/her) is a senior at Tufts University pursuing a double major in Applied Environmental Studies and Civic Studies. She is passionate about finding ways in which international climate policy can help address social and environmental harms. Back home, in Mexico, Elena has worked for climate policy think tank Iniciativa Climática de México and traveled around different protected areas that bridge conservation work together with tradition and culture. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga, reading, planning trips and spending time with friends and family.

Alice Wall (she/her) is a rising sophomore, majoring in Applied Environmental Studies on the Environmental Science track. She is passionate about sustainability, with a particular interest in aquatic ecosystems. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, paddle boarding, biking, and hanging out with her dogs.

Emma Roca (she/her) is a French-American who grew up in London. At Tufts, she is a junior studying Environmental Studies and International Relations Tufts. With a background shaped by multicultural experiences, she spent the summer volunteering as an advisor at a refugee center. She is also passionate about using creative communication to advance social and environmental change. Outside of her work, Emma loves mountain hiking, travelling, and a good cup of coffee.

Maya Lerner (she/her) is a sophomore from Montclair, New Jersey studying Applied Environmental Studies and Asian American Studies. She is particularly interested in the intersection between the two, and focuses especially on environmental justice and policy. In her free time, you can find her reading, listening to records, cooking Korean food, and writing. Maya is very excited to be a part of the Sustainable CORE Fellows program this fall!

Madeline Nock (she/her) is a rising sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio, planning on studying Economics and Environmental Studies. Her main interest is environmental justice in urban planning and international development. In her free time, Madeline loves to play tennis, play the piano, go on bike rides, and talk about how much she loves Cleveland!

Lili Biglari (she/her) is a sophomore from San Antonio, TX who intends to major in Applied Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She is very passionate about sustainability, specifically interested in how companies/businesses can be more sustainable. Aside from her interests in the environment, Lili is a part of Harvard Ballet Company and enjoys working at José Mateo Ballet Theatre. She also loves to spend time watching movies and listening to music. Lili is super excited to be a CORE Fellow.