Valentina Muraleedharan
Valentina Muraleedharan is pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography. Her research focuses on the contributions that youth make to addressing social, economic, and environmental (in)justices in their neighborhoods. Valentina was born-and-raised in Botswana, southern Africa.
Davide Zoppolato
Davide Zoppolato is pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography at West Virginia University. In his PhD, Davide focuses on China-Pakistan relations in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. Before entering academia, Davide worked across Europe and spent over four years in China. During his time in China, he was involved in two EU Commission-funded research projects, studied Chinese language at major universities across China, worked for law firms, research centers, and advised companies on China-related issues. From July 2021 to August 2022, Davide was as a graduate researcher at the Center for Resilient Communities.
Cameron Rishworth
Cameron Rishworth is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geography with an interest in social movement learning. Cameron received a M.A. in Education from the University of Auckland, during which he conducted research in rural Central México. He has worked in grassroots community building initiatives throughout Aotearoa, Arizona, and California; with an emphasis on community members becoming protagonists of their own learning and education. |
Dylan Upperman
Dylan Upperman is currently pursuing an MA in Geography and is interested in food system transformation in West Virginia. He previously received a BS in Environmental, Soil, and Water sciences at WVU with a minor in Geography. He has worked at the CRC as an intern and mentor in the SDI and AFJI programs, working in various capacities with farmers, organizations, and students throughout the state. His research interest lies in advancing access to small-scale, regenerative agriculture through critical education around the food system, exploring the ways in which West Virginia producers can help enable a future generation of farmers to meaningfully engage in food production for their communities.
Kennedy Lawson
Kennedy Lawson is currently pursuing an M.A. degree in geography. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and recently graduated from West Virginia University's Davis College with a B.S. in Energy and Environmental Resources Management. Kennedy's research is focused on flood risk assessment and planning, incorporating participatory GIS approaches. She is interested in WV communities' vulnerability and resilience when confronting flood hazards exacerbated by a changing climate.
Alex Ehlers
Alex Ehlers is pursuing a Master's in Geography. Her research focuses on the use of Geographic Information Science/Systems to solve community problems, specifically studying the use of GIS in the Right to Food movement in West Virginia. Alex was born in Columbus, Ohio, but moved to Morgantown for her undergraduate degree.