The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is pleased to announce the addition of Prabitha Natarajan and Rachel Sorlien to the Board of Directors on October 14, 2025. These new members are active volunteers at MyRWA and in their communities. They bring expertise in research, education, stewardship, and non-profit development.
Prabitha Natarajan (she/her), Medford, MA. Prabitha is a researcher and scientist with a focus in immunology and cancer biology. She has worked in drug discovery for 8 years and is currently advancing phase I clinical trials at a small biotech company. Her other strong passions include animal welfare, environment conservation, and environmental justice. She is a committee member of the Medford Energy and Environment Committee (MEEC), where she is striving to create a low-waste community. Her initiatives include organizing Medford Free Flea Market, a partnership with Tufts University focusing on reducing landfill and bringing unwanted household and office items to those in need, mainly Tufts students. Prabitha is also leading an effort with MEEC for a dedicated Zero Waste Medford to increase the environmental impact. Waste reduction is often overlooked by climate activists; it is one of the key pillars to climate resilience and environmental justice. The burden of unsustainable amounts of waste generated across all communities significantly affects certain populations who rarely have a say in this issue. Prabitha is thrilled to join MyRWA, as one of her goals of working toward environmental justice is in close alignment with MyRWA's mission.
Rachel Sorlien (she/her), Malden, MA. Rachel is a resident and a dedicated public school educator in the City of Malden. In her fifteen years as a classroom teacher, Rachel has learned the value of reflective practice and authentic relationship-building in fostering equity in the classroom, in school leadership, and in community organizing. She is proud to be a founding member and, currently, Treasurer of the nonprofit Malden Juneteenth, Inc. Before teaching, Rachel's background was in nonprofit development, including as a development officer for a New Hampshire nonprofit and two terms with AmeriCorps VISTA. Rachel majored in Political Science and Spanish at Bates College, which led to a semester abroad in Chile and a thesis on the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of a hydroelectric dam project on a local indigenous population of the southern Andes. Rachel grew up in central New Hampshire and has always had a strong connection to the natural environment, which led her to one of her favorite jobs ever- Naturalist for the Appalachian Mountain Club hut system. She and her family now enjoy walking in the Middlesex Fells, observing wildlife at Fellsmere Pond, and even cross-country skiing in the local parks, when possible! Rachel is excited to call on these personal and professional experiences and her love for her community to support MyRWA as it strives to increase the engagement of diverse residents in its mission, events, and programming.
View our entire Board of Directors here.
