Pictured above: Lauren Jabusch. Photo credit: Cristian Heredia
By: Josh Cozine
I recently had the privilege to interview Lauren Jabusch: Chair of the Board of Directors for the last three years with CSSC and current Chair of the Governance Committee. Lauren is pursuing a PhD in Biological Systems Engineering at UC Davis, where she performs research she hopes will aid in the development of next gen clean biofuels. Along with this, Lauren has earned numerous academic awards, such as the UC President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership, and a UC Davis Chancellor’s Achievement Award for Diversity and Community. Lauren has also taken part in many sustainability related extracurricular activities, including her work with the UC Climate Neutrality Initiative, and her fellowship work with the National Science Foundation where she helped coordinate and teach lesson plans to sixth grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students in the areas of sustainable energy technologies, like wind and solar.
After initial pleasantries and getting to know each other, I asked Lauren a few questions so that our readers might gain some further insight into this impressive member, mentor, and leader of our community.
CSSC: I’d like to start with a question I always like to ask people involved in the sustainability movement in any way: What does sustainability mean to you personally?
Lauren: To me, it means taking your everyday actions in a fuller manner. To really think about what it is you do everyday and what the impacts are of those actions. Not only in my own life, but our communities as well. How our day to day actions affect the world around us, and each other.
CSSC: Considering all the work you have done, and are still doing: where do you get the energy, drive, or passion to do all these things?
Lauren: I couldn’t imagine not doing all these things! I’ve always been the type to keep busy, and it’s a part of who I am. Climate change, I think, is an imperative issue to try and tackle. Along with and on top of that, energy production and food production need to be done in a more thoughtful manner, as well as improving people’s access to healthcare. With all these problems to be looked into and solved it can be hard to even sleep some nights! So I try to do all that I can.
CSSC: You mentioned energy production and you are studying for a PhD in Biological Systems Engineering. Would you care to share a little about your current research, especially as it relates to sustainability?
Lauren: Sure. I study algae and algae growth patterns and develop mathematical models of how they interact with and are affected by other microbes. These models and studies might one day make biofuels a much cleaner, much more efficient option.
CSSC: Thinking through all of your accomplishments and experiences thus far, what would you say has been the most rewarding? And why?
Lauren: I would honestly have to give two answers to this question, as both have been so rewarding to me. The first I would say is my involvement in different volunteer and nonprofit organizations, like the CSSC. These programs and organizations have minimal resources, but their impacts can be huge. They have also allowed me the chance to learn and practice many new skills and to branch out further than I would have on my own.
Secondly I would say is the opportunities I have had to teach. I’ve taught both 6th graders and undergrads. At both levels you will find frustrated students that think they can’t do or learn something, and as a teacher it is always rewarding to help people learn something they thought they couldn’t, and to help them see things in new ways.
CSSC: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to say personally to our readers, or to students interested in the sustainability movement at large?
Lauren: Absolutely. When I first became interested in sustainability and started showing up to different events I didn’t speak up or participate too much at first, but that’s ok. I still found myself interested and kept showing up to new events, and got slowly more and more engaged. No one is perfect and no one needs to be. Just keep coming, keep learning, and keep growing.