Congratulations to 14 College of the Environment students recognized in the 2026 Husky 100!

Each year, the Husky 100 recognizes 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional students from the UW Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses in all areas of study who are making the most of their time at the University of Washington. The recipients actively connect what happens inside and outside of the classroom and apply what they learn to make a difference on campus, in their communities and for the future. Through their passion, leadership and commitment, these students inspire all of us to shape our own Husky Experience.

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SONALI AGARWAL
Sammamish, Washington
B.A. Environmental Studies; Law, Societies, and Justice

At the UW, I have deepened my understanding and practice of environmental and social justice, learning to listen well, build mutually beneficial partnerships and bring joy to the work along the way. Through laughing with The Collective Improv Troupe, building community climate resilience at the NE Seattle Tool Library, fostering social connection among older adults with Age Friendly Seattle and supporting an incarcerated individual with his reentry planning through the Juvenile Parole Project, I have learned what it means to be an honest and helpful leader. I am excited to continue centering sustainability and social justice in my work, approaching global challenges with meaningful local action.

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NIJAH COLEMAN
Puyallup, Washington
B.S. Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management
Minors: Earth & Space Sciences and Architecture

From digging up dinosaurs in Eastern Montana to studying fossil plants at the Burke Museum, I have been lucky to be able to explore my interests in Earth sciences and paleobiology during my time at the UW. I am passionate about studying the Earth’s climate and biota through time, and I have been able to gain valuable skills as a scientist through pursuing undergraduate research, conducting fieldwork and connecting with other researchers and the public. I have been driven by a love for learning, and I am excited to continue asking questions and exploring the natural world.

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SARAH DESAI
Bellevue, Washington
B.A Environmental Studies; Anthropology; Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management

My journey at the University of Washington revolves around the question of how a person’s ZIP Code can be the biggest influence on their health and life trajectory, and as such my work/research interests lie at the intersection of environment, health, policy and government. As an intern at the City of Seattle and the Nature Conservancy, I’ve analyzed how climate change-induced high heat will effect older adult populations and the relationships between temperature, air quality and urban trees in previously redlined areas, respectively. I believe the research that best sets the foundation for effective policy is research that combines topical literature, analysis of datasets, ethnographic interviews and community engagement with affected populations.

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ETHAN HYNES
Frisco, Texas
B.A Environmental Studies; Political Science
Minor: Data Science

My time at the UW has been defined by a commitment to understanding how climate change will shape our communities and what we can do to respond. Through climate justice coursework, faculty mentorship, on-campus advocacy and applied policy internships, I have learned that protecting our future from the harshest impacts of climate change is possible through care, expertise and persistence. These experiences have solidified my commitment to advancing climate resilience at the local level as I continue my education and pursue a career in public service.

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KAIJA KOENIGBERG
Denver, Colorado
B.A. Environmental Studies; American Indian Studies

My time at the UW has been radically shaped by food and community, as my deep roots in the UW Farm and Dirty Dozen (UW Farm’s club) have given me space to learn and lead as both farmer and student. Throughout personal and communal challenges, I have held opportunities to teach and grow with open arms, all while cultivating my immense passion for agricultural reformation and land stewardship. Agriculture has a long and heavy past for countless marginalized peoples, and as a queer, nonbinary person, I strive to work alongside others who farm to heal both the land and the people it supports.

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KATIE KOHLMAN
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Ph.D. Oceanography

I am a Ph.D. candidate in oceanography, studying upper-ocean dynamics and leading student research with autonomous Seagliders. With over 100 days at sea and through mentoring in the Student Seaglider Center, I have learned to navigate uncertainty, foster collaboration and turn challenges into meaningful scientific and educational experiences. I am honored to be recognized as a Husky 100 recipient for bringing curiosity, perseverance and leadership to both research and student mentorship.

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CLARA KREUTZIGER
New Orleans, Louisiana
B.S. Marine Biology

Across ecosystems and cultures, I have learned that meaningful leadership begins with listening, that discovery thrives on collaboration and that science is most powerful when connected to people and place. At the University of Washington, I’ve carried forward this learning by serving as co-chair of the Student Advisory Council to the dean of the College of the Environment and co-chair of the Campus Sustainability Fund Committee; mentoring through the Interdisciplinary Honors Peer Mentoring Program; supporting outreach in the Dean’s Office; and engaging in interdisciplinary marine research in Puget Sound, the Mediterranean and Bermuda. As I pursue graduate study in marine ecology and conservation, I remain committed to research that serves both ecosystems and communities, guided by the Husky values of curiosity, collaboration and community-centered discovery.

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KARINA LAI
Hong Kong
B.S. Marine Biology; Oceanography

UW has helped me find my voice and passion in the marine sciences. Since moving from Hong Kong and leaving my comfort zone, I have embraced the immersive opportunities at UW and beyond, engaging in independent research to understand the impact of environmental change on biological carbon export. Beyond research, I am involved in leadership positions focused on increasing accessibility in science, and I now approach graduation with confidence in my ability to make a meaningful impact — both through advancing scientific research and by minimizing barriers in the field.

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CILLIAN MULLEN
Geneva, Illinois
B.A. Environmental Studies; Arctic Studies

My time at the UW has not boiled down solely to my identity as a transgender man competing in D1 rowing on the women’s team, the studies I have conducted surrounding Arctic Indigenous knowledge systems and their place in foreign policy, or accolades I have received along the way. Instead, it can be defined as a period of wanting to question all that I could, soaking in the love and knowledge that every one of my peers poured into this place and wanting to work toward creating a better tomorrow for everyone; a world that embraced open conversation rather than shunned it. The product of what has come of this time in the form of a degree, a Big Ten medal or the honor of being represented as a Husky 100 was never the end goal, but a mere tangible object that came from falling in love with the process of making connections and community during my time at the UW.

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MATHILDA MYERHOFF
Alameda, California
B.A. Environmental Studies; Anthropology

As an Environmental Studies and Anthropology student, my UW experience has been shaped by studying the complex relationships between people and land. My professional background in outdoor education and climbing instruction has led me to pursue efforts that confront financial, knowledge and social barriers to outdoor spaces. I’m passionate about tackling challenges in food systems, access to green space and environmental governance, and will apply this work with a dedication to create more equitable, sustainable communities through research, outreach and education.

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LORIN O’LEARY STEPHENS
Portland, Oregon
B.A. Environmental Studies; Comparative History of Ideas

My journey as a student at UW has been characterized by a determination to integrate environmental justice, immigrant rights, language, culture and creativity. With a double bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Comparative History of Ideas (CHID), I have embraced every opportunity to engage with my community and support my peers, from on-campus clubs and initiatives to studying abroad in Morocco and Mexico. I am dedicated to bridging and making connections across fields and disciplines, finding new and different ways to discover more about the world and about myself.

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ELIAS PLASTER
Bellingham, Washington
B.S. Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management; American Indian Studies

As a descendant of survivors of the great flood, colonization and ongoing assimilation, resilience and responsibility to my community guide my work and my studies in environmental science. During my time at the University of Washington, I focused on uplifting Indigenous perspectives through my involvement in campus organizations, leadership roles and environmental initiatives. I plan to study environmental law to help Indigenous communities, especially my own, prevent further ecological destruction and protect the natural world for the next seven generations.

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FARRAH TUNG
Taipei, Taiwan
B.A. Environmental Studies; Community, Environment, and Planning

As an international student from Taiwan whose first time in the U.S. was three years ago for college, I have been maximizing and building my Husky experience at the intersection of sustainability, public health and community-building, grounded in my LEED and WELL certifications. As a resident advisor, Unite UW Cultural Exchange Program lead and Public Health Seattle & King County intern, I also lead and support 300+ students each year to make shared spaces more equitable and environmentally responsible. Across these experiences, I have learned to connect technical knowledge with community care to create healthier environments where people and nature can co-exist and thrive.

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LARA VOLSKI
La Habra Heights, California
Ph.D. Wildlife Ecology

As a wildlife ecologist working in a rapidly polarizing world, I believe conservation must begin with listening. I draw from both ecological and social theories to study the recovery of wolves in Washington state, and I work alongside communities to interweave local knowledge into the science and management of controversial, large carnivores. At the UW, teaching the Natural Resource Conflict Management course has deepened my commitment to practicing empathy, acknowledging multiple ways of knowing and fostering dialogue to help shape a more inclusive and collaborative future for conservation.