Alyssa Balerio

Montclair State University / Public Health

Alyssa is a junior at Montclair State University pursuing a major in public health with a minor in journalism. Her career interests include increasing the accessibility of healthy food options in marginalized communities.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Alyssa hopes to learn more about the health consequences of the unsustainable practices in industrial animal farming, with a focus on increasing the visibility of said practices through journalism. She is also excited to use this opportunity to grow her professional network and further develop other career-relevant skills.

In her free time, Alyssa enjoys attending concerts, creating sketches, writing about endless topics, and discovering thrift stores that suit her love of fashion.

Ameilya Hadsell

Baruch College / Psychology

Ameilya is a sophomore at Baruch College studying psychology. After finishing her bachelor’s she plans to get a PhD in clinical psychology, to support a career working with children in a therapeutic setting.

Ameilya joined the Reducetarian Fellowship because of her passion for slowing climate change by ending factory farming. Through this opportunity, she hopes to grow her knowledge about the data underlying these issues. She’s looking forward to gaining valuable insights and sharing them with others who have less access to this information.

Ameilya loves listening to music, reading, going on walks, and spending time with her cats.

Arfath Chowdhury

City College / Biomedical Sciences

Arfath is a second-year student at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at CCNY pursuing a major in biomedical sciences with a minor in human rights. To Arfath, health is multifaceted and interconnected, requiring an open-minded approach that involves raising the voices of marginalized patients. She is Events Coordinator at her school’s Physicians for Human Rights Chapter and a health educator at Switch It Up, Break It Down, where she leads workshops on healthy eating for elementary school students.

Through the Reducetarian Fellowship, Arfath hopes to deepen her understanding of how factory farming impacts global health systems. She hopes to apply the Reducetarian Philosophy to play a vital role in the communities she’ll serve as a physician, health leader, and advocate for healthy and sustainable dietary choices in underserved communities.

In her free time, Arfath enjoys reading (her favorite genre being Asian American literature), scrapbooking, writing letters, playing card games, and finding new places to explore in NYC.

Balsamine Chen

Hunter College / Environmental Studies; Chinese

Balsamine is a junior at CUNY Hunter College in the Macaulay Honors Program, double majoring in environmental studies and Chinese. She is pursuing a career in the environmental field where she can combine her love for science and language with a particular interest in natural resource management and agriculture.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Balsamine hopes to more deeply understand how industrial animal agriculture affects workers, animals, and the environment. She is also interested in what current solutions are being implemented to address issues caused by factory farming.

In her free time, Balsamine enjoys cooking new recipes and rock climbing.

Frankie Davila

Bronx Community College / Medical lab Technology

Frankie is a second-year student at Bronx Community College, pursuing a major in medical lab technology. With five years of experience as a pharmacy technician at a locally owned pharmacy, Frankie is passionate about healthcare and community well being.

Through the Reducetarian Fellowship, Frankie aims to explore innovative ways to enhance access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods, drawing from personal experiences living in such areas. Having attempted a vegan lifestyle, Frankie faced challenges in finding plant-based options nearby, fueling a commitment to advocate for better food accessibility and promote healthier choices for underserved communities.

Frankie enjoys going on bike rides and having craft nights with friends.

Gemma Oshiro

Fordham University / International Studies; French and Francophone Studies

Gemma is a senior at Fordham University pursuing a double major in international studies and French. Her academic interests include researching and writing about global issues, social movements, and information dissemination.

Gemma believes that access to information and education are crucial tools for societal change. Through the Reducetarian Fellowship she hopes to make essential information about the harms of factory farming accessible on a global level, as a way to counter the powerful agenda of the animal agriculture industry.

In her free time, Gemma enjoys trying new coffee shops and restaurants in the city with her friends. She also loves to go thrifting to find new pieces to add to her closet.

Johann Diaz

Queens College / Psychology

Johann began his education at Queensborough Community College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in social sciences at Queens College, expecting to graduate in 2025. He aims to earn a master’s degree and become a licensed mental health therapist, focusing on reducing mental health stigma in the Latino community.

Johann chose the fellowship to explore the psychological effects of slaughterhouses on employees and to contribute to Reducetarian Foundation’s goals, while also aiming to work on his communication skills with his peers.

Johann enjoys playing basketball, spending time with family and friends, and occasionally playing the guitar.

Mahidah Shahzad

Baruch College / Finance

Mahidah is a senior at Baruch College majoring in finance and minoring in psychology. At Baruch, she is the Executive Vice President for Scholars of Finance and is the Vice President of Events for the Debate Team. She is interested in pursuing a career in consulting and social reform.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Mahidah is eager to expand the awareness and availability of plant-based meals globally, especially in low-income communities where education concerning sustainability is limited. She is also interested in activism and creating impactful change that minimizes the detrimental effects of factory farming.

In her leisure, Mahidah loves discovering new vegan restaurants and recipes, spending time with her family, binging tv shows, and listening to music

Miyu Peters

New York University / Environmental Studies

Miyu is a junior at New York University. During high school she developed a passion for sustainable fashion, and has since dedicated herself to learning about various environmental issues.

Miyu has always loved animals. Through the Reducetarian Fellowship she wants to gain more knowledge and experience on how to tackle issues that affect animal welfare, especially given that our diets and the health of our planet is so directly intertwined with their well being.

In her free time, Miyu enjoys reading (she’s read 33 books this year!), journaling, doing pilates, and listening to various types of music. Having grown up in Tokyo, Japan, Miyu loves the fast-paced city life. This year, she looks forward to exploring New York's food scene more.

Stephanie Ng

Queens College / Nutrition and Dietetics

Stephanie is a sophomore at Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Queens College pursuing a bachelor’s in nutrition and dietetics. She’s interested in preventing and healing illnesses with food, and is working to become a registered dietitian.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Stephanie is eager to learn more about the connection between health and plant-based eating. She hopes to gain a new perspective on the food industry, and promote a better lifestyle for both animals and humans.

In her free time, you can catch Stephanie at a concert, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and playing video games with her friends.

Ziyi Zhao

John Jay College / Forensic Psychology

Ziyi is currently studying forensic psychology and philosophy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is curious about the intersection of human behavior and ethics.

Ziyi is passionate about the intricate relationship between nature and humanity. By participating in the Reducetarian Fellowship, she hopes to gain knowledge and understanding about why we eat what we eat, and the impacts our food choices have on animals and the ecosystem, as well as on human society—especially through their political and economic effects. She’s hoping to use this learning to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Outside of her academic interests, Ziyi founded a hydroponic farming company to further her vision of bringing fresh, locally sourced produce to urban communities.

Kayla Wadwa-Hansel

Brooklyn College / Political Science

Kayla is a junior at Brooklyn College focused on the connection between politics and environmental sustainability. Her academic journey has been marked by a study of the complex legal and policy challenges that impact our environment. In her future career, Kayla aspires to contribute meaningfully to the field of environmental law.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Kayla is eager to learn from experts in sustainability and engage with like-minded peers who share her dedication to creating a more sustainable world. She is excited to expand her knowledge, hone her skills, and deepen her passion for environmental advocacy through this opportunity.

In her free time, Kayla enjoys cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her loved ones. She also loves being outdoors, where she finds inspiration and motivation to continue her work.

Marissa Chavez

Fordham University / Communications and Culture

Marissa is a senior at Fordham University, majoring in communications & culture with a minor in marketing. Her passion for animal rights began in high school when she learned about the cruelty-free movement against cosmetic testing on animals. Since then, she has been a dedicated advocate for animal welfare.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Marissa is excited to deepen her understanding of our food systems, explore ways to reduce animal product consumption, and embrace what it means to live a reducetarian lifestyle.

In her free time, Marissa enjoys trying new recipes, thrifting, pilates, meditating, and spending time in nature.

Omar Ahmed

Queens College / Quantitative Economics; Political Science

Omar is a senior at Queens College studying political science and quantitative economics, with minors in social sciences and history. He is interested in studying the impacts of climate change, migration, economic systems, and warfare on human conditions and political systems.

Omar came to the Reducetarian Fellowship out of an interest in the public health impacts of consuming animal products, but has now learned how embedded factory farming is in the fabric of society more broadly. He is eager to learn more about the political reasons why this social ill persists, and what we can do about it. He is interested in applying various theoretical frameworks to examine the intersection between factory farming and American politics such as structure and agency approaches and political economy theory.

Omar is a writer for the Knight News, and an intern with the Queens College Service Corps. He enjoys table tennis, historical European martial arts, and birdwatching.

Suzanna Lloyd

Fordham University / Environmental Studies

Suzanna is a senior at Fordham University. She is passionate about ecofeminism and developing a more symbiotic human-nature relationship. In her work as a barista, Suzanna became passionate about creating more ethical supply chains, especially regarding commodity goods in the Global South. She is currently conducting research with Latin American female coffee producers.

Through the Reducetarian Fellowship Suzanna hopes to gain a deeper understanding of factory farming’s effects on the environment and the human body, as well as learn more about the implications of the devaluation of farmed animals in our food system.

In her free time, Suzanna enjoys attending yoga classes, eating good food with her friends, and traveling!

Christina Inya

University of Rochester / Public Health

Christina’s studies focused on the social, cultural, and psychological determinants of health, emphasizing disease prevention and promoting well-being. She is currently preparing for graduate studies in nutrition and dietetics.

Hands-on experience in clinical healthcare has taught Christina that sustainable health outcomes require a mindful, multidisciplinary approach. As a Reducetarian Fellow and future registered dietitian, she is excited to collaborate with experts across various fields to holistically examine the effects of factory farming on our food system.

Christina also serves as the Community Service Chair for Umu Igbo Unite, a non-profit connecting Igbos in the diaspora. She enjoys sharing culinary creations on her food blog, collecting more books than she’ll ever read, and going on nature walks with friends.

Emmy Ryn

George Washington University / Photojournalism; Anthropology

Emmy is a senior at George Washington University and has focused on building community through art, music, and gardening. She also currently works as a research assistant for GET North, a project analyzing social impacts within green energy transitions.

Raised in Alaska, Emmy is passionate about Indigenous rights, decolonizing the outdoors, and food sovereignty. Through the Reducetarian Fellowship, she is especially interested in keeping these voices at the forefront of climate movements while learning more about stakeholders involved in our food systems. In the future, Emmy aims to dedicate their multimedia storytelling to the environment and cultural ecology. 

In their free time, Emmy likes to sit with a book by the duck pond on the National Mall or play with their nephew, a cat named Arthur. 

Kate Clarkson

American University / Business Administration, Marketing & Sustainability

Kate is a senior at American University pursuing her passion for environmental protection through courses focused on sustainable development, justice, and entrepreneurship. Professionally, Kate’s goal is to advocate for the adoption of more transparent, conscientious, and sustainable practices within the business-world. Through her internship with BluShark Digital and consulting project with IMP, she is expanding her experience in marketing.    

Through the Fellowship, Kate is excited to broaden her knowledge on the issues within the US agricultural system. She is inspired to research and understand sustainable agricultural practices that help improve environmental protection and food justice. 

In her free time, she loves to spend time with friends, try new recipes and restaurants, and explore the outdoors.  

Maiya Kim

University of Maryland, College Park / Public Health; English

Maiya is a junior at the University of Maryland currently pursuing the pre-medicine track with the goal of becoming a physician. When not in class, Maiya is a member of multiple health organizations including the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program and Lean On Me. 

Through the Reducetarian Fellowship, Maiya hopes to learn how to be an effective advocate for public health issues by learning how factory farming impacts human health. She is interested in hearing from various experts regarding their views on how to end factory farming in order to create a healthier, more ethical food system. 

In her free time she enjoys running, watching movies, and learning to bake.

Melissa Davies-Cole

George Washington University / Master of Public Health

Melissa is a first year Master of Public Health student at the George Washington University with a concentration in Epidemiology. She is interested in advocating for health equity and maternal and child health as well as promoting sustainable development and ethical healthcare access and research. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Melissa hopes to bridge her understanding of medicine and public health with factory farming’s impact on nutrition and food systems. By exploring the interconnectedness between food systems and health, Melissa hopes to integrate sustainability into her current studies.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys watching and playing sports, reading, and traveling. 

Natalie Solomon

George Washington University / Criminal Justice

Natalie is a senior at George Washington University who is passionate about environmental justice and sustainability.

As a pre-law student she hopes to pursue a legal career that specializes in public interest and environmental law. While participating in the Reducetarian Fellowship, Natalie hopes to deepen her understanding of how factory farming impacts health inequalities in society. Through expanding her knowledge of the impacts of factory farming, she aspires to educate others on how to eat in a more sustainable way.

In her free time, Natalie enjoys running outside, trying new recipes, and snuggling with her puppy Bubbles.

Paul Aversa

Georgetown University / Science, Technology & International Affairs

Paul is a senior at Georgetown University where he is involved in organizations focused on the intersection of business, social justice, and sustainability. He currently works at the Department of Justice where he tackles environmental pollution and fish & wildlife cases. As someone from a first-gen, low income background, Paul is particularly interested in championing social justice within sustainability, focusing on environmental policy frameworks that consider class and race. As a Reducetarian Fellow, he hopes to learn from people’s experiences in combating factory farming and adapt these perspectives to apply it to his career in environmental law. In his free time, Paul likes to hike through Rock Creek and drink boba with his friends.

Teagan Moncrieffe

Bowie State University / Business; Marketing

Teagan is a student at Bowie State University who has been learning about the business world and how to navigate professional settings. Some of her values include compassion, respect, professionalism, and sustainability. 

During her time as a Reducetarian Fellow, she hopes to learn the ins and outs of the food system, specifically, how industrial animal agriculture disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and the political influence of Big Ag. Using what she learns as a Fellow and business student, she hopes to enact political change to help marginalized communities.

Her hobbies include cooking, cosmetology, gardening, health and fitness, and reading. 

Reice McCowan

Howard University / Political Science

Reice is a senior at Howard University interested in food access and community development.  She is passionate about encouraging the public to consume less processed and unhealthy foods, and improving low-income communities’ access to quality produce. She is a volunteer at Sunny South Community Garden where she takes part in the initiative to revitalize the garden and encourage community participation.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Reice hopes to learn more about holistic food systems, the effects of factory farming on low-income communities, and navigating the challenges of encouraging shifts in dietary habits. 

In her free time, Reice enjoys pilates, reading, trying new recipes, and exploring new hobbies.

Workneh Getsaw

Howard University / Afro-American Studies

Workneh is a senior at Howard University whose studies are deeply informed by his upbringing in Ethiopia where traditional food systems are increasingly seen as backwards and in Brooklyn, where he witnessed Black communities working to restore healthy relationships with food. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow he is excited to explore how the African American community can and is restoring traditional relationships with food. And by extension, how African countries can make progress without the harms of industrial animal agriculture that the African American community is fighting against. 

In his free time he enjoys making videos, cooking, and listening to folk music.