2021-2022 TWS Officers
Jenna Turpin | President | jmturpin@ucdavis.com
Hello Wildlifers! My name is Jenna Turpin and I am a fourth-year Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology (WFCB) major. My time in 4-H sparked my interest in animals and inspired me to pursue research. I especially love to work with birds! As an intern for the Putah Creek Nestbox Highway Project, I was able to band and study baby birds. I get to study birds year-round interning in the Patricelli Lab investigating Greater Sage-Grouse lekking behavior. I love the outdoors and spend lots of time outside at my job as a Park Aide at the Auburn State Recreation Area. I have a commitment to help others get outdoors and into science. I work to do so as an undergraduate representative for the WFCB department’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. I am also involved in another club on campus, Girls Outdoor Adventure in Leadership and Science (GOALS). GOALS organizes a free annual backpacking trip for girls and non-binary youth of diverse backgrounds. I am honored to serve The Wildlife Society at UC Davis as President again this year. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or just want to chat!
Sophia Virata | Vice President | sevirata@ucdavis.edu
Hey there! My name is Sophia Virata and I am a fourth year Animal Science major with a minor in Global Disease Biology. When I entered college I wanted to find a way to get involved with wildlife, and TWS has been the perfect club to do that! This group has helped me find opportunities and also connect with peers and learn from professionals. Throughout my undergraduate career, I’ve developed my passion for animal health by volunteering at veterinary clinics such as VCA, UC Davis Vet Med, and Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless. I also enjoy working in research and was recently part of projects for BioSurg, Inc. and Mitloehner Lab. My goal is to apply these experiences to a veterinary career focused on wildlife, one health, and conservation. In my free time, I love exploring new places with friends and eating lots of great food. I am so excited to be back at school and meeting all of our new members!
Anita Khammann | Secretary | ajkhammann@ucdavis.edu
Hi wildlifers! My name is Anita Khammann, and I am a fourth year here at UC Davis. I am a Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology major with a minor in Animal Science. I love working with all kinds of animals. In the past, I volunteered at a pet adoption center and the Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento. I also interned at the UC Davis VMTH in community medicine. Currently, I am working as a student assistant under Swee Teh at the CABA aquatic toxicology lab. After graduating, I plan to go to veterinary school and become a marine/aquatic veterinarian. Some of my hobbies include painting, cooking, eating out with friends, and watching TV shows/movies. I’m excited to continue being part of TWS here at UC Davis and look forward to meeting all of you guys soon!
Alex Zavala | Treasurer | aazavala@ucdavis.edu
Hello, my name is Alexis Zavala and I’m so excited to be returning as club Treasurer this year! I am a fourth year Evolutionary Anthropology major with a minor in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation biology. Over the course of my studies I have enjoyed learning about environmental justice, understanding indigenous conservation strategies, and the relationship between primates and human evolution. In the past, I have worked on several labs that have allowed me to gain hands on experience with wildlife and research, and I am currently affiliated with Environment California; a non-profit organization working on developing and passing conservation policies.
During my free time I enjoy going on road trips, and exploring the outdoors, making playlist, getting crafty and listening to podcasts. I’ve had so much fun being a part of this club and I’m looking forward to connecting with others who share the same passions that I do! If you happen to see me around campus please don’t hesitate to say hi! (:
Bruce Markman | Chapter Representative | bbmarkman@ucdavis.edu
Bruce is a fourth-year Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology major and Geographic Information Systems minor. Bruce has been involved with TWS since freshman year and has served as the Chapter Representative for the UC Davis Student Chapter since sophomore year. Bruce is passionate about wildlife conservation, ecology, GIS/Remote Sensing applications, and native habitat restoration. Bruce has done fieldwork/research at the Fangue Lab on campus, Geography Graduate Group, UC Natural Reserve System, Scripps Oceanography, and San Diego County. This year Bruce worked for the San Dieguito River Park where he utilized satellite imagery to assess vegetation burn scars following wildfires and conducted drone surveys to study invasive Arundo donax in the park with machine learning. Bruce is eager to get students involved with TWS and engage them with networking opportunities, outdoor events, and professional development. In his free time Bruce enjoys mountain biking, playing guitar, photographing wildlife, and volunteering for various conservation organizations.
Audrey Yang | Design Coordinator | ayya@ucdavis.edu
Hi everyone! I’m Audrey Yang and I’m a fourth year Animal Biology major here at UC Davis. Graphic design is my passion, of course, but so is working with animals – wildlife especially! I’ve rehabilitated urban wildlife ranging from possums to peacocks with the Pasadena Humane Society’s Wildlife Husbandry program, and I’ve interned with the Putah Creek Nestbox Highway Project, the King Lab, and the Yolo County SPCA. During quarantine, I’ve been busy testing new recipes, needle felting, and hanging out with my dog. I plan to broaden my experiences working with all kinds of animals and making the best of the 2021-2022 school year!
Priscila Anguiano | External Public Relations Coordinator | paanguiano@ucdavis.edu
Hey Wildlifers! My name is Priscila Anguiano, I am a second year Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology student interested in wildlife health and conservation. I have always been interested in preserving wildlife habitats and vulnerable species. Prior to attending Davis, I was involved with student government and also ran my own beach cleanup club! In my free time I enjoy hiking, watching a good movie, and trying new foods. I hope to gain more experience handling animals and working outdoors this year, especially as an officer of the wildlife society!!
Rafiur Rahman Khan | Internal Public Relations Coordinator | rrkhan@ucdavis.edu
Myself, Rafiur, Pursuing my Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. I am really excited to start working with ‘The Wildlife Society at UC DAVIS’ as an Internal Public Relation Co-ordinator.
I am a Student Fellow at UC Davis Global Affairs(Global Education for all)for the Year 2021-2022. I also worked as an Intern at the UC Davis Global Learning Hub’s ‘Widening Circle’ Program in Summer 2021. It’s been almost a year since I have been working with UC Davis Society of Water and Environmental Graduate Students (Swegs) as a Showcase Co-Ordinator. I am also working at UC Davis Aggies Near and Far as a secondary leader and events officer.
It will be great to know the existing and incoming TWS Members and wildlifers at UC Davis!
Megan Swanson | Philanthropy Coordinator | mkswanson@ucdavis.edu
Hello! My name is Megan, I am a WFCB major entering my senior year and I am a major advocate of wildlife conservation and this club in particular! My goal in life is to be the next Steve Irwin, meaning I want to dedicate myself to conserving wild lands and endangered species (especially rhinos). This club grants me the opportunity to meet others with similar interests and goals, and lets me experience networking in the world of conservation.
The Wildlife Society at UC Davis 