What inspired your interest in Planetary Health?

Growing up in Minnesota, surrounded by a family of farmers, I developed a deep appreciation for the cultural and personal significance of agriculture. I witnessed firsthand the pride my relatives took in working the land and feeding their communities. At the same time, my academic and personal curiosity pushed me to confront the environmental consequences of our current food system. I came to understand how industrial agricultural practices, though essential to many rural economies, are also major drivers of climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health challenges. 

This tension between tradition and sustainability sparked my commitment to reimagining food systems in ways that support both people and the planet. My interest in Planetary Health stems from this intersection: a recognition that human health is inseparable from the health of our environment, and a belief that we can and must design solutions that honor both.

Tell us about your Planetary Health work at JHU

I serve as the Planetary Health Alliance Campus Ambassador for Johns Hopkins University, a role that enables me to implement Planetary Health initiatives on campus and collaborate with ambassadors around the world. I’m pursuing a double major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Environmental Studies, and my research focuses on optimizing school lunch menus to reduce environmental impact and cost while maximizing nutritional value. Continuing along the food systems thread, I also serve as Co-President of the Alternative Protein Project at Johns Hopkins, where we work to educate students on the environmental, ethical, and health benefits of alternative proteins compared to conventional animal agriculture and to inspire more students to engage with the future of sustainable food and its role in Planetary Health.

What excites you about the future of Planetary Health?

The intersectionality of food—spanning climate, health, identity, culture, and community—offers a powerful opportunity to address chronic disease, food insecurity, unsustainable agriculture, and beyond by transforming our existing food system. Planetary Health gives me hope that this intersection can be meaningfully leveraged, demonstrating that the health crisis and the Earth crisis can and should be confronted simultaneously.