Luciana Calle
Luciana is a junior studying Environmental Science and Resource Management with minors in both Climate Science and Data Science. Her interest in plant science early on has led to research opportunities at the University of Washington, including the Plant Ecophysiology and Modeling Lab and Forest Mycobiome Lab. She currently studies ponderosa pine forests, where her independent project focuses on climatic stressors (such as wildfires and drought) throughout Eastern Washington and how post-fire microbial communities can facilitate pine regeneration and future resilience. She plans to provide guidance on post-fire forest management by engaging in conversations with tribal members and the Washington DNR while continuing her research after receiving an institutional grant from the Stuntz Mycology Fund. Outside of research, Luciana mentors low-income middle and high school students through her involvement in the Seattle Math, Engineering, Science Achievement program. As a first-generation immigrant student, she hopes to share her passion for STEM and demonstrate the opportunities of higher education and research to underrepresented students. Applying to the Goldwater Scholarship offers the opportunity to reflect on her growth as a young researcher and further define her future career trajectory. With this support, she aims to continue strengthening her research skills and develop new research questions that address the challenges of a changing climate, ultimately preparing for a career in research and future science communication work. Luciana would love to thank her mentors, Dr. Claire Willing and Dr. Soo-Hyung Kim, and her lab members for supporting her growth as a researcher and their invaluable guidance.
Goals
In the short term, Luciana plans to continue developing her research skills by working in research positions post-graduation while preparing for graduate school. After earning her PhD, she aims to pursue research on plant–climate interactions and collaborate with governmental and Tribal organizations to support interdisciplinary partnerships and climate adaptation efforts.
Tips
Don't be intimidated by the application process and start early! This scholarship reflects on your research journey and builds on the experiences that shape who you are both as a researcher and student. Throughout the application process, rely on the support of your mentors and peers to gain multiple perspectives and relate the impact of your research to yourself and your field.
