Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Rhianna Irao is an Environmental Sciences major at UC Berkeley with interests in environmental justice, food systems, and the intersection of culture and natural resources. Rhianna owes her passion for conservation to her parents’ experiences growing up in the Philippines, as well as her own experiences growing up in rural areas of the Central Valley. She is dedicated to protecting communities who face disproportionate impacts of pollution and climate change, while working towards more equitable systems of natural resource management.

With her passion for conservation, Rhianna works...

Jada Yang is a second-year undergraduate studying Public Health, Disability Studies, and Public Policy. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jada is an avid disability rights advocate, committed to amplifying disabled voices in policymaking and government. She hopes to pursue disability policy, specifically by exploring the intersection between health equity and disability.

Jada has previous work experience as an intern with the National Advocacy Office of Breakthrough T1D, where she helped mobilize youth federal advocacy for Type 1 Diabetes research funding through planning a 3-day fly-in...

Merilyn Navarro Sanchez is a first-generation Oaxacan student double-majoring in Sociology and Ethnic Studies. Being born and raised in the County of San Diego to a mixed-status single-parent household, Merilyn has firsthand experience with the struggles and injustices of obtaining basic needs, having financial stability, and educational barriers. From her lived experiences, Merilyn has used her hardships to learn what can be improved in the communities she comes from through leadership and advocacy.

At her community college, she took on the role of Vice President for The PUENTE...

Amelia Monsour is a senior majoring in political science and sociology with a minor in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. A proud graduate of Los Angeles public schools, Amelia is passionate about addressing inequities in education and supporting California’s public school system. She is also passionate about addressing economic inequality and hopes to pursue a career in public service and law to advocate for economic justice and educational equity.

Throughout her time at UC Berkeley, Amelia has continued to develop her interest in public...