Meet The Team

Rebecca leads the Agroecology Lab at UC Merced, which studies how nutrients and
carbon cycle in agroecosystems, and how the management of these cycles contributes to
climate change mitigation and resiliency. A major research theme in her lab is the capture,
transformation, and beneficial reuse of organic resources to rebuild soil carbon and contribute to
a more productive and just food system.

Teamrat leads the Soil Physics and Hydrology Lab at UC Merced, which studies how water, nutrients, and energy move through soil and how this influences plant growth, environmental health, and sustainable agriculture. A major research theme in his lab is
understanding the physical properties that make soil habitable for organisms and how this knowledge can be applied to develop farming practices that are more efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly.

Srabani’s areas of expertise are soil health and agricultural soil carbon. Her research
focuses on analyzing the influence of organic amendments, tillage systems, cover cropping and
irrigation methods on soil health. She aims to develop tools for tracking soil carbon buildup from
different practices of regenerative agriculture and make their access equitable for all grower
communities, including the marginalized and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

Dr. Susana Ramírez is a nationally recognized expert in media, inequality, and health. As an “infodemiologist”—trained in both communication and public health—Dr. Ramírez uses social scientific methods to advance public health goals. Her research aims to advance understanding of how the public information environment contributes to population health through policy agenda-setting, community action, and individual decision-making. A longstanding line of research considers the role of the public information environment on health outcomes and upends traditional behavioral research that (mis)characterizes Latinos, immigrants, and African Americans as having cultural orientations in opposition to healthy lifestyles. Rather, Dr. Ramírez’ findings provide a narrative for how communication may impact health disparities. Recent research extends this theorizing to advance understanding of the corporate and commercial determinants of health, including elaboration of a theoretical framework for racialized marketing.

----

Aaryn is a Ph.D. student in Rebecca Ryals's lab who studies decentralized composting in the San Joaquin Valley. Hailing from Minnesota, he hopes to continue pursuing his interests in agroecology, writing, social justice, and healing.

Michael’s research focuses on the impact of sustainable agricultural and organic waste
management practices on environmental quality and climate change. Michael has worked on a
variety of topics throughout California including the benefits of biochar, grain cropping systems
management, GHG emissions from dairy manure management and soils, and bokashi
fermentation of food waste. His current work collaborates with community organizations to
research the potential, implementation, and impacts of community-scale composting in the San
Joaquin Valley.

Jocelyn is a first-generation college graduate from UC Merced and PhD student at UC Santa Cruz. She is interested in community-engaged research at the intersection of sustainable agriculture and social justice. She is particularly interested in applying principles of regenerative agriculture to address climate change, food insecurity, and the adverse effects of industrial agriculture. 

Ariadne is a UC Merced graduate. They work as the social media and outreach coordinator for the Central Valley Community Compost Collaborative. In their position, they actively assist in the entire research process of the UC Merced (UCM) Experimental Smart Farm (ESF) development and the UCM Farms-Food-Future Innovation program. 

Carolynn is an undergraduate student at UC Merced majoring in Chemistry. They are interested in researching how built landscapes can become better integrated with the ecosystems they intersect. They are also passionate about the enrichment of STEM education in public schools. Carolynn’s favorite tree
is the Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata).

----

Lorena is a public health and sustainable development professional born in Mexico and raised in the San Joaquin Valley.  Throughout her professional and academic career, she has worked in public health research, advocacy and policy change, sustainable economic development, and sustainable agricultural practices throughout the San Joaquin Valley and California’s Central Coast. She hopes to serve and empower low-income communities of color through her work. Lorena holds a Master’s in public health from California State University, Fresno, and a Master’s in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development from the United Nations mandated University for Peace.

----

Darlene is the current Chairperson and CEO of the Wukchumni Tribe of Tulare County. She is a traditional practitioner and lifelong learner of Native plants used for food, medicinals and the art of basketry. Darlene actively supports a variety of intergenerational programs and land-based projects based in Tulare County. She is a Board Member of Quaker Oaks Farm, the Cultural Heritage Foundation of Tulare County as well as a co-founder of Wukchumni Farms, an intergenerational space where Native youth and elders come together to learn about and practice traditional ways of growing food & medicines while stewarding land. Over the past five years, Darlene has been working alongside a team of environmental justice advocates and land stewards to build spaces for environmental and cultural healing, as well as agroecological farming throughout the Central Valley.

Yaynicut Franco serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Wukchumni Council of Visalia, CA. She comes from a long line of strong Wukchumni, Yowlumni, and Tachi Yokutch women and continues to lead her community in her role as the Director of Culture and Land Stewardship for the Wukchumni Tribe non-profit organization. Yaynicut is a cultural practitioner and ceremonial leader that dedicates her time to preserving and revitalizing traditional lifeways, language, and cultural ecological practices by bringing elders, youth, and adults together for storytelling, gardening, and ceremonies throughout the seasons. Yaynicut is the Board Chairperson for Quaker Oaks Farm and a Board Member for FoodLink for Tulare County and the California Community Land Trust Network.

Lahoci is a member of the Wukchumni Tribe and a culture keeper. He is committed to preserving and teaching the cultural ways of his ancestors and has dedicated his entire life to sharing the knowledge passed down to him from his elders. Lahoci is a land steward, traditional artist, singer, dancer, and ceremonial leader for the Wukchumni Tribe. Lahoci is a trained Cultural Monitor, a certified GONA Facilitator, a certified Sons of Tradition Facilitator, and has received a certification in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, TEK Native Plant Identification, Mapping, Wildland Safety, S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws, and Permaculture Design.

Yalkis is a member of the Wukchumni Tribe and the grandson of Wukchumni Elder Martha “Yaynicut” Wilcox Tapleras (Metz). He started working at Wukchumni Farms in 2024, as a Farm Assistant to help with farm maintenance, food distribution preparation, and developing the Native Plant Nursery. Yalkis enjoys spending time with his family and keeping his son involved in cultural ceremonies and youth workshops. Yalkis has years of experience as a Program Lead for Youth Workforce Development programs and managing recycling facilities. He is also a certified Forklift Operator.

Jessica Malone is Wukchumni and a Wukchumni Farms Assistant. She is the granddaughter of Valerie Holladay and greatgranddaughter of Marie Wilcox. Jessica has been involved in basket weaving and gathering circles, Wukchumni Language classes, and cultural workshops since she was a youth. She enjoys working with plants and animals and is an avid home gardener. Jessica has received certifications in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, TEK Native Plant Identification, Mapping, Wildland Safety, S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws.

Genna is certified in permaculture design and supports many gardens of different sizes in her role at FoodLink. Her drive to give back to the earth and create sustainable food systems is foundational to her work and how she lives her life, on a small regenerative farm outside Farmersville.

Eric came to DEEP Roots with years of experience growing food and making compost for personal gardening. Eric grew up in a family where what was in the soil was very important. He believes strongly in our responsibility to care for the earth and to replenish the soil. Eric is responsible for maintaining a healthy compost pile at FoodLink that can be used to grow food in gardens all over Tulare County.

----