2004 State/Local Fellows
Erin Beller - 2005, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Planning and Conservation League
Erin Beller describes herself as a "budding hydrologist." Erin has special passion for northern California's water, where she believes the problems of natural resource management are complex but solvable. Erin speaks from some experience on this issue, having researched water policy for the Sonoma County Greenbelt Alliance and extensively studied the hydrologic changes wrought by the proliferation of hillslope vineyards near her hometown, Napa, CA. A Stanford President's Scholar, Erin also received a Stanford grant to attend the California Water Law and Policy Conference in April of this year. In autumn 2003, Erin extended her hydrology work to Bolivia. A near-fluent speaker of Spanish, she learned Quechua in preparation for her research on farm ponds and sustainable agriculture in that country. At Stanford, Erin plays glockenspiel for the Stanford Band, tutors English as a second language and practices Aikido. She plans a career in environmental policy analysis and advocacy.
Alice Chiu - 2005, Earth Systems; M.S. Earth Systems - Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
Originally from San Marino, CA, Alice Chiu believes that first-hand experience most inspires people to protect California's beauty and natural resources. Although her background is primarily in theory and pure research, Alice has recently discovered an interest in policy: "California already stands as a leader in environmental issues; however, there is also much that can still be improved." A published author in scientific journals, Alice's extensive research experience includes stints investigating DNA replication in medical oncology, invasive alien ant species and coral recovery after human disturbance. Her most recent work in the Micheli Lab at Hopkins Marine Station, where she directs a research team in determining the age of abalone from shell rings, will culminate in her master's thesis. Pursuing co-terminal B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Systems, Alice focuses on biology, oceanography and geology, but has also found time for economics, language and drama courses. She speaks Spanish, Mandarin and Taiwanese and recently served as Assistant Lighting Designer for the production "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
Alessa Crossan - 2005, Earth Systems - California Integrated Waste Management Board
The five formative years she spent in Pohnpei, Micronesia first spurred Alessa Crossan's interest in waste management, health and development. When her secondary school flooded, students were asked to clean the floors and walls. "Nothing teaches the importance of sanitation, adequate technology and efficient waste management like cleaning up such a mess," she says. Originally from Virginia, Alessa has worked or studied abroad in Seoul, Moscow and Katmandu as well as Micronesia. Alessa has also interned for the National Institutes of Health, where she researched carcinogenesis and honed her biological research skills. At Stanford, she majors in Earth Systems, an interdisciplinary environmental science program that draws courses from a range of departments. Despite a heavy load of science courses, Alessa has also found time to focus on languages. She speaks Korean, Spanish and Pohnpeian and has recently taken up Russian. Alessa tutors English as a second language and is a member of the campus Korean Fan Dance Group. As a residence Community Service Representative, Alessa also works with the Haas Center to coordinate community service activities for students living in Stanford dormitories.
Samvit Kanoria - 2007, undeclared - San Jose Office of Economic Development
Samvit Kanoria considers San Jose's Office of Economic Development the ideal venue for him to learn more about the impediments governments face in "trying to overcome problems of information, structural unemployment and underemployment." Though only a sophomore at Stanford, Samvit's interest in economics is longstanding-he has already studied the subject for four years in India and the United Kingdom. Samvit graduated from secondary school in Calcutta in 2001, finishing 9th out of all students in India that year. He took "A levels" at Winchester College, U.K., where he was captain of the badminton team and held internships with British Telecom Group and Cazenove London. At Stanford, Samvit plans to major in Economics with a Management Sciences & Engineering co-terminal master's degree. An accomplished musician, Samvit has been studying classical sitar since age 6. He also serves as Associate Editor of the highly regarded Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal and Associate Director of Stanford's Asia Technology Initiative.
Nikhil Sachdev - 2007, undeclared - The State Controller's Office
A previous internship with a California Assemblymember first confirmed Nikhil Sachdev's interest in state government. Nikhil says that his Assembly coworkers, who eagerly answered questions about everything from the recall to the budget crisis, were the best part of the experience. This summer, he found a similarly inviting atmosphere at the State Controller's Office. Nikhil, a native of Davis, CA, identifies the intersection of "business, economics and public service" as his future career path. Active in student government in high school and at Stanford, where he serves as ASSU Executive Aide, he plans to major in Political Science or Economics. Nikhil's professors already speak highly of him. An Introduction to the Humanities lecturer writes of his proposed career in government: "He promises to become an exceptionally able analyst and writer." At Stanford, Nikhil also studies Hindi and tutors reading for the college preparatory Upward Bound Program based at the Haas Center.
Lyndsie Schmalz - 2005, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Spanish & German minors - Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Lyndsie Schmalz spent much of her early childhood in Sacramento area parks "chasing ducks (or in some cases running from them)." Lyndsie parlayed her early interest in the environment into scientific research; she now investigates marine sediment for a chemical oceanography laboratory and has published work on barite, a compound that is an indicator of an ocean's past biological productivity. At Stanford, Lyndsie says, she struggles to reconcile her lifelong love of the environment with her other passion: law. Lyndsie is an attorney and award-winning member of the Stanford Mock Trial Team. She eagerly shares her interest in law with others, recently teaching a mock trial seminar on courtroom decorum for high school students. Having concluded that a career in pure lab research is not for her, Lyndsie searches for experiences that combine law and the environment, work that might allow her to apply "a scientific and analytical method to environmental issues." Lyndsie, who plans to apply to law school after finishing her degree at Stanford, speaks Spanish, German and Portuguese and has studied abroad in Berlin.
Omar Shakir - 2007, undeclared - Santa Clara County e-Government Office
Omar Shakir believes that technology dramatically shifts the American political landscape. He sees parallels between the current move toward online political participation and touch screen voting to the 1960 televised presidential debates between JFK and Nixon. "In an age of record-low voter turnouts and extremely high voter apathy, these [technological] efforts to make politics more convenient to the average American are critical to the future of our democratic process," he writes. The Santa Clara County e-Government Office was a natural fit for this long-time San Jose resident; Omar is an active participant in (as well as a student of) technology, politics and government. An award-winning debater and student government leader in high school, Omar is no less involved at Stanford. While planning a double major in Political Science and Economics, Omar also serves on half a dozen boards, oversight committees and clubs. He is a newly minted ASSU Senator, Chair of the Senate Advocacy Committee and co-President of the Coalition of Justice as well as student representative to the Tresidder Dining Advisory Group and the Bookstore Advisory Committee. He travels with the Stanford Debate Society, speaks Spanish and Arabic, and is active in the Muslim Student Awareness Network and the Stanford Democrats.
Steven Tagle - 2007, undeclared - California First Amendment Coalition
Steven Tagle views the First Amendment, with its protections for "diversity in American thought and culture," as the cornerstone of the Bill of Rights. His fellowship with the California First Amendment Coalition allowed him to "witness firsthand the application of [the] civil liberties that safeguard our democracy," helping to ensure that the state legislature does not encroach upon First Amendment rights. In exercising his own right to free expression, Steven focuses particularly on experimental theater and creative writing. He wrote his first play in high school, where it was later performed by the school's drama department. Steven has served as Assistant Stage Manager for Stanford's renowned Gaieties and for three productions at Harvard's Loeb experimental theater. This past winter, he directed an original play for Ram's Head's Winter One-Acts. Steven recently received the Lindsay Peters Jr. Prize for excellence in the Political Science course "Introduction to American Government." Interested in the interchange between government and the governed, this Yorba Linda, CA native plans a double major in Psychology and English. He currently works as a research assistant in a psychophysiology lab and serves as psychology teaching assistant.
Scott Thompson - 2006, Psychology - Assemblymember Lois Wolk
In his letter of support for Scott Thompson's application, President Emeritus Gerhard Casper praises Scott as the best student in a recent Constitutionalism seminar and compliments his sense of humor. Though Scott only recently finished his sophomore year at Stanford, this Nebraska native already has claimed numerous honors and accolades from Casper and others. A recipient of both the President's Award for Academic Excellence in the Freshman Year and a Chappell-Lougee Scholarship for research in psychology, Scott serves as a research assistant in Stanford's Psychology Department; he even helped to teach a new class. Scott also plays trombone in the Stanford Jazz Orchestra and the Stanford Wind Ensemble, and is an active member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Now planning to add a second major in Political Science, Scott looks forward to a career in government or public service, probably at the state or local level. He believes that most of the "real innovation" in government takes place at these levels, where officials have the agility necessary to respond to constituent concerns. In a large, populous state like California, Scott says, environmental policy work is of particular importance, and he admires Assemblymember Lois Wolk's project to advance solar energy.
Erin Beller describes herself as a "budding hydrologist." Erin has special passion for northern California's water, where she believes the problems of natural resource management are complex but solvable. Erin speaks from some experience on this issue, having researched water policy for the Sonoma County Greenbelt Alliance and extensively studied the hydrologic changes wrought by the proliferation of hillslope vineyards near her hometown, Napa, CA. A Stanford President's Scholar, Erin also received a Stanford grant to attend the California Water Law and Policy Conference in April of this year. In autumn 2003, Erin extended her hydrology work to Bolivia. A near-fluent speaker of Spanish, she learned Quechua in preparation for her research on farm ponds and sustainable agriculture in that country. At Stanford, Erin plays glockenspiel for the Stanford Band, tutors English as a second language and practices Aikido. She plans a career in environmental policy analysis and advocacy.
Alice Chiu - 2005, Earth Systems; M.S. Earth Systems - Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
Originally from San Marino, CA, Alice Chiu believes that first-hand experience most inspires people to protect California's beauty and natural resources. Although her background is primarily in theory and pure research, Alice has recently discovered an interest in policy: "California already stands as a leader in environmental issues; however, there is also much that can still be improved." A published author in scientific journals, Alice's extensive research experience includes stints investigating DNA replication in medical oncology, invasive alien ant species and coral recovery after human disturbance. Her most recent work in the Micheli Lab at Hopkins Marine Station, where she directs a research team in determining the age of abalone from shell rings, will culminate in her master's thesis. Pursuing co-terminal B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Systems, Alice focuses on biology, oceanography and geology, but has also found time for economics, language and drama courses. She speaks Spanish, Mandarin and Taiwanese and recently served as Assistant Lighting Designer for the production "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
Alessa Crossan - 2005, Earth Systems - California Integrated Waste Management Board
The five formative years she spent in Pohnpei, Micronesia first spurred Alessa Crossan's interest in waste management, health and development. When her secondary school flooded, students were asked to clean the floors and walls. "Nothing teaches the importance of sanitation, adequate technology and efficient waste management like cleaning up such a mess," she says. Originally from Virginia, Alessa has worked or studied abroad in Seoul, Moscow and Katmandu as well as Micronesia. Alessa has also interned for the National Institutes of Health, where she researched carcinogenesis and honed her biological research skills. At Stanford, she majors in Earth Systems, an interdisciplinary environmental science program that draws courses from a range of departments. Despite a heavy load of science courses, Alessa has also found time to focus on languages. She speaks Korean, Spanish and Pohnpeian and has recently taken up Russian. Alessa tutors English as a second language and is a member of the campus Korean Fan Dance Group. As a residence Community Service Representative, Alessa also works with the Haas Center to coordinate community service activities for students living in Stanford dormitories.
Samvit Kanoria - 2007, undeclared - San Jose Office of Economic Development
Samvit Kanoria considers San Jose's Office of Economic Development the ideal venue for him to learn more about the impediments governments face in "trying to overcome problems of information, structural unemployment and underemployment." Though only a sophomore at Stanford, Samvit's interest in economics is longstanding-he has already studied the subject for four years in India and the United Kingdom. Samvit graduated from secondary school in Calcutta in 2001, finishing 9th out of all students in India that year. He took "A levels" at Winchester College, U.K., where he was captain of the badminton team and held internships with British Telecom Group and Cazenove London. At Stanford, Samvit plans to major in Economics with a Management Sciences & Engineering co-terminal master's degree. An accomplished musician, Samvit has been studying classical sitar since age 6. He also serves as Associate Editor of the highly regarded Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal and Associate Director of Stanford's Asia Technology Initiative.
Nikhil Sachdev - 2007, undeclared - The State Controller's Office
A previous internship with a California Assemblymember first confirmed Nikhil Sachdev's interest in state government. Nikhil says that his Assembly coworkers, who eagerly answered questions about everything from the recall to the budget crisis, were the best part of the experience. This summer, he found a similarly inviting atmosphere at the State Controller's Office. Nikhil, a native of Davis, CA, identifies the intersection of "business, economics and public service" as his future career path. Active in student government in high school and at Stanford, where he serves as ASSU Executive Aide, he plans to major in Political Science or Economics. Nikhil's professors already speak highly of him. An Introduction to the Humanities lecturer writes of his proposed career in government: "He promises to become an exceptionally able analyst and writer." At Stanford, Nikhil also studies Hindi and tutors reading for the college preparatory Upward Bound Program based at the Haas Center.
Lyndsie Schmalz - 2005, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Spanish & German minors - Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Lyndsie Schmalz spent much of her early childhood in Sacramento area parks "chasing ducks (or in some cases running from them)." Lyndsie parlayed her early interest in the environment into scientific research; she now investigates marine sediment for a chemical oceanography laboratory and has published work on barite, a compound that is an indicator of an ocean's past biological productivity. At Stanford, Lyndsie says, she struggles to reconcile her lifelong love of the environment with her other passion: law. Lyndsie is an attorney and award-winning member of the Stanford Mock Trial Team. She eagerly shares her interest in law with others, recently teaching a mock trial seminar on courtroom decorum for high school students. Having concluded that a career in pure lab research is not for her, Lyndsie searches for experiences that combine law and the environment, work that might allow her to apply "a scientific and analytical method to environmental issues." Lyndsie, who plans to apply to law school after finishing her degree at Stanford, speaks Spanish, German and Portuguese and has studied abroad in Berlin.
Omar Shakir - 2007, undeclared - Santa Clara County e-Government Office
Omar Shakir believes that technology dramatically shifts the American political landscape. He sees parallels between the current move toward online political participation and touch screen voting to the 1960 televised presidential debates between JFK and Nixon. "In an age of record-low voter turnouts and extremely high voter apathy, these [technological] efforts to make politics more convenient to the average American are critical to the future of our democratic process," he writes. The Santa Clara County e-Government Office was a natural fit for this long-time San Jose resident; Omar is an active participant in (as well as a student of) technology, politics and government. An award-winning debater and student government leader in high school, Omar is no less involved at Stanford. While planning a double major in Political Science and Economics, Omar also serves on half a dozen boards, oversight committees and clubs. He is a newly minted ASSU Senator, Chair of the Senate Advocacy Committee and co-President of the Coalition of Justice as well as student representative to the Tresidder Dining Advisory Group and the Bookstore Advisory Committee. He travels with the Stanford Debate Society, speaks Spanish and Arabic, and is active in the Muslim Student Awareness Network and the Stanford Democrats.
Steven Tagle - 2007, undeclared - California First Amendment Coalition
Steven Tagle views the First Amendment, with its protections for "diversity in American thought and culture," as the cornerstone of the Bill of Rights. His fellowship with the California First Amendment Coalition allowed him to "witness firsthand the application of [the] civil liberties that safeguard our democracy," helping to ensure that the state legislature does not encroach upon First Amendment rights. In exercising his own right to free expression, Steven focuses particularly on experimental theater and creative writing. He wrote his first play in high school, where it was later performed by the school's drama department. Steven has served as Assistant Stage Manager for Stanford's renowned Gaieties and for three productions at Harvard's Loeb experimental theater. This past winter, he directed an original play for Ram's Head's Winter One-Acts. Steven recently received the Lindsay Peters Jr. Prize for excellence in the Political Science course "Introduction to American Government." Interested in the interchange between government and the governed, this Yorba Linda, CA native plans a double major in Psychology and English. He currently works as a research assistant in a psychophysiology lab and serves as psychology teaching assistant.
Scott Thompson - 2006, Psychology - Assemblymember Lois Wolk
In his letter of support for Scott Thompson's application, President Emeritus Gerhard Casper praises Scott as the best student in a recent Constitutionalism seminar and compliments his sense of humor. Though Scott only recently finished his sophomore year at Stanford, this Nebraska native already has claimed numerous honors and accolades from Casper and others. A recipient of both the President's Award for Academic Excellence in the Freshman Year and a Chappell-Lougee Scholarship for research in psychology, Scott serves as a research assistant in Stanford's Psychology Department; he even helped to teach a new class. Scott also plays trombone in the Stanford Jazz Orchestra and the Stanford Wind Ensemble, and is an active member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Now planning to add a second major in Political Science, Scott looks forward to a career in government or public service, probably at the state or local level. He believes that most of the "real innovation" in government takes place at these levels, where officials have the agility necessary to respond to constituent concerns. In a large, populous state like California, Scott says, environmental policy work is of particular importance, and he admires Assemblymember Lois Wolk's project to advance solar energy.