Ramiro Pinedo Jr. ’18
Claremont, Calif. (March 17, 2016)—Pitzer College student Ramiro Pinedo Jr. ’18 is one of 20 undergraduates from across the country to be selected for the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), a two-year program dedicated to educating future leaders in environmental conservation.
As a Doris Duke scholar at UCSC, Pinedo will delve into environmental conservation through field research, leadership and professional training. The program includes an eight-week paid summer course integrating conservation design, leadership and research experiences. During the second year, Pinedo will embark on an eight-week, paid summer internship with a conservation organization. Doris Duke scholars receive a stipend each summer and year-round support from UCSC staff as well as a mentor at their home institutions.
Pinedo was drawn to the program’s focus on exposing early-career undergrads to the world of environmental conservation.
“The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program will ultimately help me decide my professional career,” Pinedo said. “In addition, the program will allow me to gain more experience in field research and design in conservation.”
Pinedo’s academic adviser, Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science Kathleen Purvis-Roberts, said the conservation program’s emphasis on creating a better tomorrow by taking care of the planet today parallels the passion Pinedo brought with him to Pitzer.
“Ramiro has been focused on environmental studies since the day he arrived on campus,” Purvis-Roberts said. “This program will give him the knowledge and know-how he needs to become one of our future leaders in environmental conservation.”
Ramiro Pinedo Jr. plans to major in environmental analysis and minor in Portuguese at Pitzer College. Previous Doris Duke scholars from Pitzer include senior Allison Donine ’16.
The UC Santa Cruz Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program seeks to prepare a diverse group of early-career students to lead the future of environmental conservation. Launched by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in 2013, the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program is administered by five universities: UCSC, Northern Arizona University, University of Florida, University of Michigan and University of Washington.
