Tell us a bit about yourself:

“I am a rising sophomore at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. I am an aspiring physics and international relations double major, and I am interested in a career primarily addressing climate change and other global issues, whether that be through STEM, policy, or some other path. 

Outside of studies, I enjoy practicing martial arts, playing the cello and the piano, and hiking with my family and dog."

Can you share a moment or story that shaped your passion for animal, environmental, or human rights? 

“When I was a kid, my family visited a live seafood market in China. While my parents were looking around, my sister and I stopped by a stand that had a baby octopus in a bucket of water. Being curious children, we stuck our hands into the bucket. To our delight, the octopus interacted with us, curling its tentacles around our fingers. But our joy was interrupted by the angry vendor, who yelled at us not to touch the "food." That interaction helped me make the connection between the meat we consume and where it comes from. It seemed so wrong that we could treat these sentient beings so callously. This feeling of injustice stuck with me, motivating my activism and my own plant-based journey.”

What advice would you give someone just starting out on their advocacy journey?

“Identify your allies and work with these people and groups on whatever intersections you share. It can feel lonely at first, but get to know people and learn how to frame the fight against factory farming in terms of their values. You may find that you have more allies than you thought!”

What advice would you give your younger self?

“A piece of advice I wish I could have given myself a few years ago, or even quite recently, is to trust myself to reach my goals, and to enjoy the process and not worry so much about what the "right" path there is.”

What stands out about your experience with New Roots Institute?

“Attending the Power in Progress event in LA with New Roots and The Humane League was my favorite memory. I got to meet many of the wonderful people I had been working with at New Roots for the first time, along with others doing similar work with The Humane League. It was uplifting hearing people share their success stories and to realize how much we had accomplished in the past year. Not to mention there was free food.”

What support can you offer and what support are you seeking?

“I have experience surveying students on menu options, working with dining hall staff and negotiating for more plant-based options, and planning events such as vegfest, free boba events, and more. I have worked on plant-based campaigns in both high school and colleges. Feel free to reach out if you would like any advice or just want to chat!

I am looking for potential internships or part-time work in this space. It would be great to hear about more opportunities!  I am always looking for more resources to help with campaigns. I will be working with Greener by Default next year to help with dining hall changes. I will also be working on outreach to athletes, and will likely be working with Switch4Good. It would be helpful to connect with more organizations doing work in this space!”

What gives you hope about the future?

“Seeing how dedicated and supportive people in this space are gives me hope. I love how everyone is genuinely committed to doing good, and that we all come together to help others accomplish their goals. It is beautiful how the success of one contributes to the success of the group.”

​​New Roots Institute is a nonprofit empowering the next generation with knowledge and training to end factory farming. Through our leadership development programs, fellows take what they learn about the food system and put it into practice by launching campaigns that challenge industrial animal agriculture. We are strengthening the movement—spreading change from individuals to their communities, and expanding outward into wider systems-level change.