DEI liaisons
The DEI Liaisons Program supports co-term, graduate students, and postdocs interested in creating a more inclusive and equitable school community.
The DEI Liaisons work closely with other school DEI liaisons, the DEI office, and local program/department student services officers to advance efforts in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
If you have any questions about the program and would like to share your interest about participating, please contact Assistant Director for Inclusion and Belonging, José Rubio-Zepeda at jdrubiozepeda@stanford.edu
Jovan Aigbekaen
Master’s student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pronouns: he/him
Main Research Topic(s): Renewable energy infrastructure development and building energy efficiency.
Hobbies/non-academic activities: When I’m not in the classroom or the library, you can find me running over some hurdles at the track or sunbathing outside while reading the BBC or NYT. I love cartography, geography, landscape painting, and the history of urban spaces and development.
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I decided to become a DEI Liaison because I believe in the power of student-led discourse and collectivism when it comes to fostering meaningful changes to how we create, protect, and empower diverse spaces and communities on campus. I am passionate about learning about new ideas and perspectives through intimate conversations and interactions.
Natalia Armenta
Undergraduate student in Energy Science and Engineering
Pronouns: she/her
Main Research Topic(s): Environmental Assessment, Optimization of energy systems, and data modeling
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Backpacking, exploring the outdoors or urban settings or enjoying days of self-care and movies.
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I am interested in serving as a DEI Liaison to bridge more pathways for the broader Stanford community and between departments to embody connection, community, and resources to allow students of all backgrounds to succeed.
Raksha Doddabele
PhD student in Oceans
Pronouns: she/her
Main Research Topic(s): conservation genetics and genomics applied to populations of white sharks.
Hobbies/non-academic activities: rock climbing, writing, hiking, scuba diving
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? Marine conservation can’t be realized without the leadership of BIPOC communities who are at the forefront of fragile ecosystems. We can foster trust between those communities and the ivory tower of academia if they can collaborate with scientists who look like them. I want to work towards the goal of increasing the representation of people from underserved communities in science.
Rebecca Grekin
PhD student in Energy Science and Engineering
Pronouns: she/her
Main Research Topic(s): How to reduce emissions from commercial building air conditioning systems at low cost
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Crafting (knitting, ceramics, jewelry making, etc), traveling, and my dog, Pumpkin!
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I have had many experiences with moving around and not feeling like I fit in, and wanted to help others feel included and celebrated at Stanford.
Jordon Horton
PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pronouns: he/him
Main Research Topic(s): water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
Hobbies/non-academic activities: swimming, hiking, reading, watching tv series
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I wish to increase conversations across differences to foster community and sense of belonging amongst students, staff, and faculty. I hope visibility to DEI will impact other communities outside of academics and promote DEI leadership in spaces beyond Stanford, such as industry.
Makoto Kelp
Postdoctoral Scholar in Earth System Science
Pronouns: he/him/his
Main Research Topic(s): wildfires, air quality, environmental justice
Hobbies/non-academic activities: jazz trombone, cooking, reading
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? The DEI Liaison program seemed like an excellent way to interact in a meaningful way across many different Stanford populations (undergrads, grad students, postdocs). I am especially excited to plan community events and develop educational materials with the other liaisons!
Muhammad Aadil Khan
PhD Student in Energy Science and Engineering
Pronouns: he/him
Main Research Topic(s): Lithium-ion battery health and control for extending battery life
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Tennis, basketball, hiking, sports, and outdoor activities
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? To understand the intricacies of the DEI conversations and identify areas for improvement. I want to hold events that can help everyone become a part of the school community, especially if they have struggled to do so in the past.
Ethan Lopes
PhD Student in Geophysics
Pronouns: he/him/él
Main Research Topic(s): Rock magnetism of fluid-rock reactions with emphasis on interpreting martian and seafloor magnetic anomalies
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Watching anime, trying out different coffee shops, working on stained glass projects, participation in the occasional séance
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I decided to become a DEI liaison to build community, come up with fun events, and highlight the incredible work of the overlooked.
Rahsaan McFarland II
Undergraduate student in Earth Systems Program
Pronouns: he/him/his
Main Research Topic(s): Southern Appalachian forests, fog systems
Hobbies/non-academic activities: nature photography, creative nonfiction, national park road trips
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I seek to revise and expand contemporary vocabularies of American environmentalism — reappraising conceptions of the landscapes and ecologies of the American South.
Kiana Mokrian
Master’s student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Main Research Topic(s): Corporate Sustainability, Circular Economy
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Painting, Cooking and Reading
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I joined as a DEI liaison because I believe that to move towards a more sustainable planet, we also need to move towards a more accessible and equitable one as well.
R.J. Moore
Master’s Student in Sustainability Science and Practice
Pronouns: he/him/his
Main research topic(s): sustainable product development, life cycle, and management
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Garden-hopping, zero-waste lifestyle practices, visiting the Northern California coast
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I became a liaison to advocate for the communities of which I am a part, for the advancement of DEI efforts within the Doerr School.
Kasun Raigama
PhD Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pronouns: he/him/his
Main Research Topic(s): Water Infrastructure and Resources
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Tennis, Triathlon, Cooking, Reading, Film/Photography!
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? During my time as an undergraduate student, I struggled to realize my genuine interests in academia and how I fit into the society around me. As a DEI Liaison, I aim to bring down the barrier to those personal realizations for students who need a sense of belonging, attention, and engagement.
Rosie Ries
PhD Student in Geophysics
Pronouns: she/her
Main Research Topic(s): Earthquake Seismology
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Painting, baking, playing clarinet
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison?
I think creating an inclusive community is important and decided to become a DEI liaison to help create and promote that inclusive community.
Dimitri Saad
PhD Student in Energy Resources Engineering
Pronouns: he/him
Main Research Topic(s): Research on energy storage in the question of decarbonizing economic sectors
Hobbies/non-academic activities: I salsa in my free time
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I joined this program to learn to foster environments that promote equity and inclusivity, and to learn how to discuss and create space for dialogue.
Kaitlyn Sanchez
Undergraduate student in Earth Systems Program
Pronouns: she/her
Main Research Topic(s): Environmental justice, climate change
Hobbies/non-academic activities: Binge-watching shows/movies, reading, spend time with friends
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison? I decided to become a DEI liaison because I want to make Stanford and the Earth System Sciences field a more inclusive and equitable space by bringing forward the voices of underrepresented groups.
Mavis Stone
PhD student in Earth System Science
Pronouns: they/them
Main Research Topic(s):
-community-based flood resilience and insurance
-designing effective natural disaster preparedness platforms for underserved communities
-climate data equity and feminism
Hobbies/non-academic activities:
-crocheting (amigurumi)
-hiking (anywhere but East Bay)
-badminton, volleyball, and long-distance running
-free style dancing
-drying and pressing plants
-making textured paper
-reading autobiographies, creative nonfiction, historical fiction, and history
-cooking with family
-gushing over cute animals
-hosting picnics
Why did you decide to become a DEI Liaison?
During my undergrad, I tremendously appreciated our affinity spaces; however, I quickly came to realize that affinity spaces are not enough to accommodate our communities' unique needs. I hope to co-develop equitable policies and programs that will address these needs and concerns so we and future generations can flourish without bounds.