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Carlos Cabrera

765

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Bio

My goal is to be an artistic environmental advocate. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by nature, spending hours exploring riverbeds and trails near my home and observing the unique characteristics of plants and animals. In high school, I studied marine biology and oceanography and took classes in physical geography, environmental science, and geology of natural disasters at local community colleges. At Reed College, I am learning how natural systems interact, and how to interpret environmental data. In 2023, I volunteered at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, focusing on research examining the effects of human activities on estuarine ecosystems and supporting restoration plans. I enjoyed working in diverse topographies like mud, water, and rocky soil and felt at home as I navigated the waist-deep water and muddy embankments at Elkhorn Slough. As a visual artist, I use environmental themes in my artwork. I have been drawing and creating stories since I was in preschool. I created conceptual art projects during high school and took classes at my local community college. I have been a member of the MontereyYouth Art Collective since 2021. At Reed College, I am focusing on film and media studies. I am intrigued by the connection between media and environmental conservation, highlighting how environmental media like anime enhances public awareness and encourages change. This year, I am a Zine intern, helping curate the college's collection of small-circulation, self-published publications, and helping organize an annual Zine Fest.

Education

Reed College

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
    • Environmental Geosciences

York School

High School
2018 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
    • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
    • Graphic Communications
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Artistic Environmental Advocate

    • Zine Intern

      Reed College
      2024 – Present11 months
    • Peer Mentor

      Reed College
      2023 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Cycling

    Club
    2020 – 20222 years

    Cross-Country Running

    Junior Varsity
    2018 – 20191 year

    Research

    • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy

      Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve — Volunteer Intern
      2023 – 2023

    Arts

    • Monterey Youth Art Collective

      Visual Arts
      YAC Fall Art Show, 11/2021 YAC Thinking Out Loud Art Show, 2/2022 Ocean Arts Festival, 4/2022
      2021 – Present
    • York School

      Conceptual Art
      2018 – 2022
    • Monterey Peninsula College

      Computer Art
      MPC STEAM 3.0 Virtual Art Show, 11/2021
      2018 – 2021

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Salinas Juneteenth Celebration — Annual 1-day Volunteer
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Salinas Public Libary — Volunteer
      2017 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship