We are the St. Louis-based chapter of the Ecological Society of America SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability) program for undergraduate students at St. Louis area institutions of higher education.

The SEEDS program is aimed at engaging students from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds (in STEM) in hands-on opportunities and experiences in ecology and environmental sciences.

 

Meet our Chapter Leaders!

VICTORIA DIAZ

(they/them)

WashU Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology ‘26

Hometown: Queens, NY

Role: Programming

Hopes for this year: I hope we can organize cool and fun events and attract students from all over STL. I also hope to connect people to opportunities and resources.

SAM KO

(she/her)

WashU Environmental Biology ‘25

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

Role: Diversity and Inclusion

Hopes for this year: Spreading SEEDS to other areas of St. Louis as well as making outdoor spaces more inclusive and diverse through SEEDS. I'd like to get involved in projects that introduce people without prior outdoors experience to outdoor activities.

JULIANA MORERA

(she/they)

WashU Environmental Analysis and Anthropology: Global Health and Environment ‘26

Hometown: Naples, FL

Role: Community Engagement

Hopes for this year: To promote equity in environmentalism. I'd like to get involved in projects that support people of diverse and marginalized backgrounds in ecologically related academic work and in natural spaces, where they may not have had access to before.

DEV MUKUNDAN

(he/him)

WashU Environmental Analysis and Computer Science ‘25

Hometown: Brookline, MA

Role: Logistics

Hopes for this year: I hope that we can bring new members to the club and find interesting speakers and fun activities for the group to engage with!

goals for the chapter

  • Build a city-wide network of young adults passionate about the environment

  • Provide opportunities for professional advancement and personal growth

  • Create a fun, safe, supportive environment for those with marginalized identities

  • Programming that helps you envision yourself as an environmental professional post-graduation

Help us grow by connecting to our socials!

Culture of SEEDS STL

  • Nurturing and supportive of your future and ambitions in ecology/environmental professions

  • Understanding of the unique challenges that POC, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized people face in the field

  • Committed to diversifying environmental spaces and amplifying perspectives of POC, LGBTQIA+ folx, and those from marginalized backgrounds

  • Increasing access to and connecting students with opportunities to broaden knowledge of career paths and areas of growth in the field of ecology

Vision

 

Professional Growth/Opportunities

  • Co-programming with WashU green groups

  • Attending conferences, ESA annual meetings, and ESA SEEDS field trips

  • Attending WashU’s Fall and Spring Undergraduate Research Symposia

  • Connecting you with mentorship, funding, and other resources for pre-professional ecology endeavors

Community-Building/Social Programming

  • Mixers

    with other STL colleges/universities

    with grad/PhD students and faculty

  • Hiking and kayaking trips

  • Chat spaces

  • Possible Spring Retreat

 

Founding Chapter Leaders

Chapter Sponsors

Lawton Blanchard
(she/her)

WashU Environmental Biology ‘22

Hometown: Yukon, OK

Hopes for SEEDS STL:
To provide a space for students interested in ecology and enviro-sciences to see themselves represented and show that they are welcome and can have a future in this field.

Kayla Wallace
(she/her)

WashU Environmental Biology ‘22

Hometown: Florissant, MO

Hopes for SEEDS STL:
To see it develop into a supportive community where students can grow in their environmental passions and goals, together.

Rachel Penczykowski
(she/her)

Assistant Professor of Biology
Biology Department, WashU

Hometown: Madison, WI

Degrees: BS in Biology and Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD in Biology from Georgia Tech

“I'm excited for this chapter to help students connect with each other and find opportunities and resources to explore their passions in ecology during their undergraduate careers and beyond.”

Susan Flowers
(she/her)

Education and Outreach Coordinator
Tyson Research Center, WashU

Hometown: University City, MO

Degrees: BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from Grinnell College, MA in Biology from WashU

“I am passionate about helping emerging ecologists explore possible career paths in the natural world. This chapter is designed to do exactly that!”