Alice Wall (she/her) is a rising senior at Tufts University majoring in Environmental Science. Originally from right outside of Philly, she joins MyRWA this summer as an Urban Forestry Fellow through the Forest Foundation Fellowship Program. Alice is passionate about freshwater ecosystems, urban environmental stewardship, and community-based conservation. This summer, she is excited to support equitable tree planting initiatives across the Mystic watershed, helping expand urban canopy cover and strengthen climate resilience in environmental justice communities. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the nonprofit environmental sector, connecting science, community engagement, and conservation. In her free time, Alice enjoys rowing on the Mystic River, hiking, and exploring restaurants in the Boston area.
Hannah Podol (she/her) is joining MyRWA as a 2026 Mystic Greenways Fellow. In this role she will coordinate, monitor, and evaluate 2026 programming for the greenways. Her research will culminate in a comprehensive report identifying how MyRWA can best realize diverse programming for All Ages and Abilities and Backgrounds on the Mystic Greenways. Hannah holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from Wesleyan University. She is passionate about the power of urban design to foster environmental and social justice, and hopes to build a career in urban planning: helping to improve access to greenspace, just transportation, and community resilience. Hannah enjoys long bike rides, cold water swimming, children's books, and live music.
Isa Tutter (she/her) is a rising junior at Tufts University double majoring in Biology and Environmental Studies. She is excited to be working at MyWRA this summer as an Environmental Science and Stewardship Fellow through the Tisch Summer Fellows Program. Isa is passionate about the intersection between social science and natural science, and at MyWRA she hopes to leverage hard science and data to promote environmental justice in her local community. She is originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, where her interest in the environment was sparked by observing environmental injustices in the area, such as air quality differences across the city due to highway proximity. Isa hopes to continue working in the non-profit sector, specifically in ecological conservation. In her free time, she loves running long-distance, biking on the community path, playing ultimate frisbee, reading, cooking, watching live music, and exploring the outdoors.
Jasiah Ortega (he/him) is from Dorchester, Massachusetts and is pursuing a B.S in International Literary and Visual Studies and Environmental Studies from Tufts University. He received an associate’s degree in business administration from Bunker Hill Community College. Jasiah has always enjoyed immersing himself in the environment and is passionate about being involved in his community and providing opportunities to elevate under-privileged residents in Boston. Jasiah has discovered through his coursework at Bunker Hill there are various ways to engage within his community through the environment. He has observed the gaps in reporting success stories and sharing methods behind the successes of indigenous and under-resourced communities such as in cases where land has been given back to indigenous groups. He is interested in studying how he can form bridges within those gaps in information to provide a foundation for these communities to repeat success stories and innovate new methods for social and environmental change.
Hi! My name is Lucas Lowe (he/him) and I’m joining MyRWA as a Climate and Social Resilience Fellow as part of the Yale Environmental Fellows Program. I’m currently pursuing an M.S. in Community Health and Prevention Research at Stanford University and hold a B.S. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. I landed here from my past work at the intersection of studying the natural world, EJ/SJ, and the human health sciences. This summer at MyRWA, I will develop baseline data for communities most vulnerable to the extreme impacts of climate change, create communication materials for heat wave preparation, and improve infrastructure around heat wave alert systems in the greater Boston area. When I’m not working, you can find me cafe-hopping, competing for the Stanford climbing team, or hosting dinner parties with friends!
Sarah Neal (she/her) is working at Mystic River Watershed Association as an Environmental Science and Stewardship Fellow this summer (2026) through the Yale Conservation Scholars-Early Leadership Initiative. She is pursuing a BS in Environment and Society at Florida State University and will graduate in fall 2026 to begin her Master's in Demography and Population Health at FSU. Her time in Florida helped her discover her passion for environmental and climate change research. She hopes her summer at MyRWA will help her dive into hands-on fieldwork and community outreach that drives positive environmental change. She also hopes to research the intersections between water quality and demographic patterns in communities. Sarah is passionate about how the environment drives population change and the positive outcomes of environmental protection. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, board game nights, and going to live music events!
Sydney Taylor (she/her) is a recent graduate of Tufts University, earning a BA in Environmental Sustainability and World Literature, and is working as an Environmental Science & Stewardship Fellow with MyRWA this summer. Originally from Colorado, she is excited to hone her skills in fieldwork and community engagement through stewardship and invasive species removal. Sydney is excited to learn about the Mystic River's role in the greater Boston area and wants to explore the intersection of the environment and art. After the fellowship, Sydney hopes to move to New York City and find a job in the environmental or cultural sector. In her spare time, she is determined to complete her summer bucket list, which includes cooking, backpacking, museums, art, music, and dancing.
