EDUCATION

Ph.D., Geography, University of California, Davis, 2022
Dissertation Articles: (1) Residential perceptions of risk in an agriculturally-structured community: a qualitative assessment, (2) Risk perceptions and the maintenance of environmental injustice in an unincorporated farmworker community, (3) Navigating community-based partnerships and transdisciplinary research approaches for environmental justice

B.A., History, University of California, Davis, June 2013
Senior Thesis: Towards a Political Ecology of Breast Cancer Epigenetics

A.A., History, Sacramento City College, June 2010
President’s Honors List

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Principal Investigator (PI), Knights Landing Environmental Health Project, UC Davis, 2017-present

• I worked with a fellow graduate student, Skye Kelty (Environmental Toxicology), to develop and launch a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project examining residential concerns about cancer and environmental exposures in a farmworker community near UC Davis. Supervised 2 PhD students (Geography), 7 masters students (5 Public Health, 1 Environmental Policy and Management, and 1 Hydrologic Sciences), 41 undergraduate students, and 6 community leaders (part-time community health promoters- or promotoras). Designed a mixed-method environmental health project using CBPR principles to establish a range of exposures to carcinogens in Knights Landing. Authored 5 IRB protocols for this project. Funded completely through student grants and community fundraising, totaling over $100,000. Project website. Community-engaged research mentor: Natalia Deeb-Sossa, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis.

Graduate Student Researcher, UC Davis, 2014-present
Collecting Stories from Black Vallejo, UC Davis

• I worked with Dr. Julie Sze and members of the Vallejo community to coordinate the production of a video, essay, and picture project depicting environmental justice efforts in the Bay Area. (2021)
  

Westside IRWIN DUC Water Justice Project, UC Davis

• I worked with Dr. Jonathan London on a project using geographic and socioeconomic data from public water systems in Northern California to examine the costs and benefits of extending public water services into unincorporated communities. I collected and compiled data for spatial analysis and I communicated with municipal authorities and local residents to determine the sources of drinking water in a number of communities. (2018 )
  

San Joaquin Valley DUC Water Justice Project, UC Davis

• I worked with Dr. Jonathan London and a team of policy analysts and graduate students to examine unincorporation and safe drinking water in California’s San Joaquin Valley. I reviewed the literature about unincorporated communities in the US, conducted archival research of public records at the California State Library, and authored the historical section of our written report. (2017-2018)

Avenal Environmental Health Project, UC Davis

• I worked with Dr. Jonathan London and Rey Leon on a project examining the relationship between proximity to sources of exposure and health in a Latina/o community in the San Joaquin Valley. Following the principles of community-based research,  I led undergraduates and community members to collectively develop, implement, and analyze a cross-sectional  environmental health survey. (2016-2017)
  

Pinto Lake Algae Bloom Project, UC Davis

• I worked with Dr. Woutrina Smith, DVM, on a project using data from recreational users to examine algae exposure and associated effects in Pinto Lake Park, Watsonville, CA. I created the survey instrument tool and met with county officials to develop an implementation plan which was completed by myself and a fellow graduate student. (2016-2017)

Biosecurity 4-H Youth Proficiencies Project, UC Davis

• I worked for Dr. Martin Smith and Dr. Woutrina Smith, DVM, on a project examining the relationship between science education and biosecurity practices among youth 4-H livestock producers in California. I reviewed the literature on biosecurity, created a digital survey for on-site use, and coordinated with local authorities and youth producers on collecting qualitative and quantitative data. Led a team undergraduates and graduate students in collecting interviews and biological samples at county fairs and residential homes, and prepared data for analysis. (2014 – 2016)

Undergraduate Researcher, UC Davis, 2012-2013

• I worked with Dr. Diana K. Davis on my senior research project for the McNair Scholars Program. I reviewed the literature on political ecology, environmental epigenetics, and health geography. Presented results at undergraduate research conferences. 

EMPLOYMENT & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
–COURSES AT UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO–
Gerardo Marín Postdoctoral Fellow, 2022-2023
Department of Environmental Studies, Health and Environment (ENVA-319), Spring 2022

• This course examines the complex relationship between health and the environment, exploring how environmental factors can impact human health outcomes. Through case studies, field research and interdisciplinary perspectives, students critically evaluate the social, economic, and political factors that shape environmental health risks and responses.

Department of Environmental Studies, Community Garden Outreach (ENVA-245), Fall 2022

• The course examines food injustice, its root causes and impacts, and possible solutions. Through course content, community-engaged learning and field research, students critically examine their own values and beliefs and consider their own power and privilege while growing food at the USF garden.

–COURSES AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS–
Associate Instructor (AI), 2020-2022
Department of Community & Regional Development, Community Development and Politics with a focus on Environmental Justice (CRD-157), Winter 2022

• The course draws on sociology, political economy, and environmental studies to examine the key relationships among political, economic, sociocultural and environmental forces shaping the form and function of local communities in the U.S. and globally.

Department of Community & Regional Development, Food Systems (CRD-020), Fall 2020

• The course examined the societal context of food systems at a variety of scales, from farm to fork (and back again). I divided the class into four sections: cases and academic lenses for studying the food system,  social aspects of agri-food systems, critical issues and cases in agri-food studies, efforts to reshape agriculture & the food system.

Department of Community & Regional Development, Community Development and Environmental Justice (CRD-149), Winter 2020

• The course focused on the histories, policies, and innovations associated with environmental justice movements in the United States and abroad. 

Teaching Assistant, 2013-Present

• Performed teaching and teaching-related duties to assist faculty and professors including leading discussion sections, proctoring exams, office hours, grading tests and homework, and recording grades electronically. I worked as a Teaching Assistant in the following courses:
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, Qualitative Research Methods (CHI-023), Fall 2021
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, Chicana/o Poetry (CHI-156), Spring 2020
  • Department of Public Health Sciences, Health Disparities (SPH-113), Summer 2019
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, New Latin America Cinema (CHI-065), Fall 2018; Fall 2019; Spring 2021
  • Department of Community & Regional Development, Community Development and Environmental Justice (CRD-149), Spring 2018
  • Department of Community & Regional Development, Youth Social Movements (CRD-147), Spring 2016
  • Department of Community & Regional Development, Community Field Research: Theory and Analysis (CRD-151), Spring 2014
  • Department of American Studies, Intro to American Studies (AMS-010), Fall 2013

Reader, 2014-2018

• Performed teaching-related duties to assist faculty and professors including proctoring exams, grading tests and homework, and recording grades electronically. I worked as a Reader in the following courses:
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, Psychological Perspectives on Chicana/o and Latina/o Children and Adolescents (CHI-123), Spring 2018
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, Latin American Women’s Engagement in Social Movements (CHI-113), Spring 2017
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, Transnational Migration (CHI-112), Winter 2014; Fall 2016
  • Department of Chicana/o Studies, The Chicano Movement (CHI-150), Winter 2015

–UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT MENTORING–
Senior Project Mentor, UC Davis

• (2020) Debbie Sulca, McNair Scholar, Environmental Toxicology major, presented at UCD Undergraduate Research Conference- “Beyond the Measures Using Mobile Air Sensors to Examine Volatile Organic Compounds in Kettleman City Using a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach.” Mentors: JS Kelty, AA Aranda, C Cannon.
  
• (2020) Sarina Rodriguez, McNair Scholar, Chicana/o Studies and Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major, presented at UCD Health Quality Forum and Undergraduate Research Conference- “A case study examining the relation between community health assessments and primary health access for rural communities: Knights Landing, California.” Mentors: N Deeb-Sossa, JS Kelty, AA Aranda. 
  
• (2019) Juan Cruz Ruiz Malagon, Chicana/o Studies major, Blum PATA Grant recipient, “Mental and Emotional Health Care Accessibility and the Intersectionality of Smoking in Knights Landing California.” First place poster award at both the Summer Institute on Migration and Global Health and at the Harvard College Undergraduate Research Association Meeting. Mentors: JS Kelty, AA Aranda, N Deeb-Sossa.
  
• (2018) Tiffany Jow, Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior major, partnered project with Daniel Moher, presenter at national Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference “Comparative Evaluation of Agricultural Pesticide Usage in Knights Landing and Capay Valley, California.” Mentors: JS Kelty, AA Aranda, N Deeb-Sossa.
  
• (2018) Daniel Moher, Environmental Toxicology major, partnered project with Tiffany Jow, presented as team at UCD Environmental Health Sciences Center Annual Research Retreat, Undergraduate Research Conference, Undergraduate Multidisciplinary Sustainability Research Conference, and One Health Symposium- “Comparative Evaluation of Agricultural Pesticide Usage in Knights Landing and Capay Valley, California.” Mentors: JS Kelty, AA Aranda, N Deeb-Sossa.
  
• (2018) Ana Maria Guerrero, Landscape Architecture major, presented at UCD Undergraduate Research Conference “Knights Landing Community Garden.” Final booklet. Mentor: JS Kelty, AA Aranda, S Simpson, E Boults, N Deeb-Sossa.

Undergraduate Student Adviser, UC Davis

• Anyela Gonzalez Casillas (BS, Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, class of 2020)
• Kenneth Bautista (BS, UC Davis, Community & Regional Development, class of 2020)
• Rouzbeh Rahai (BA, English; BS, Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, class of 2017)

–GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORING–
Capstone Project Adviser, University of San Francisco

• (2023) Maria Membrilla, Master of Arts in Urban & Planning Affairs, “Improving the Quality of Life for Farmworkers: A Look at Subsidized Agricultural Housing in Sonoma County. Mentors: P. Murphy, AA Aranda

Graduate Student Adviser, UC Davis

• (2019) Eva Prado, MPH
• (2017) Sevana Manukian, Master’s of Public Health, Practicum, “Knights Landing Environmental Health Risk Assessment Survey: The Power of Community-Based Participatory Research.” Mentors: H. Dabritz, PM Koga, AA Aranda, JS Kelty

–K12 EDUCATIONAL SERVICE–
Resident Services Site Coordinator
Wakeland Housing & Development Corporation, Dixon, CA, 2008 – 2014

• Responsible for operating an after school program for K12 students at an affordable housing community in my hometown of Dixon, CA. 

Unit Director
The Boys & Girls Club of Dixon, 2006 – 2008

• Responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating overall programs and services for K12 students while supervising staff.

ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES
–CONFERENCE PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS–
Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2023. Risk perceptions and the maintenance of environmental injustice in an agriculturally-structured community. Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Conference, Denver, CO, 26 March.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2022. Navigating Transdiciplinary Research and Community-Based Partnerships for Rural Environmental Justice. University of California (USF) Public Lecture Series, San Francisco, CA, 10 November.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2021. Residential perceptions of environmental exposures and cancer in a farmworker community. Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program Region 5 Scientific Symposium Program, Seattle (virtual), WA, 19 August. 

Aranda, A. Alfonso & Ana Maria Guerrero. 2019. Research with Heart: Community building and promoting belonging with Mexican-origin Farmworkers in Northern California. Imagining America 20th Anniversary National Gathering, Albuquerque, NM, 19 October.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2019. Navigating academic collaborations & community-based research partnerships. Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, 6 April.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2019. Knights Landing Environmental Health Risk Assessment: The Power of Community-Based Participatory Research. Environmental Health Sciences Center‘s Community Engagement Core (CEC) Conference, University of California, Davis, CA, 3 April.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2019. Academic collaborations & CBPR: the Knights Landing Environmental Health Project. Citizen Science Association Conference, Raleigh, NC, 16 March.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2018. Knights Landing Environmental Health Project. Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 14 April.

Aranda, A. Alfonso and Skye Kelty. 2018. Interdisciplinary Student- and Community-Led Environmental Health Research in Knights Landing, CA. Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety Monthly Symposium with Knights Landing Promotoras, University of California, Davis, 5, November.

Aranda, A. Alfonso, Skye Kelty, and Knights Landing Promotoras. 2018. Community-Engagement Core Session: Student- and Community-Led Environmental Health Science Research. National Institute For Environmental Health Sciences National Conference for Environmental Health Science Centers, Davis, CA, 1 April.

Aranda, A. Alfonso and Skye Kelty. 2018. Community Engagement Workshop. Interdisciplinary Environmental Justice Symposium, University of California, Davis, 24, March.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2015. Faecal pathogen detection, E. coli concentrations and youth exhibitor biosecurity practices at California county fairs. University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Strategic Initiatives Conference, University of California, Davis, 7 October. 

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2014. Biosecurity proficiencies for youth 4-H Producers. at University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources 4-Animal Science Symposium, University of California, Davis, 12 May.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2013. Towards a Political Ecology of Breast Cancer Epigenetics. (Un)certain Boundaries, University of California, Berkeley, 26 April.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2012. ¿Que traes en la mente? / What’s on your mind?: Artistic Workshop at MEChA’s Fall 2012 Statewide Conference, University of California, Davis, 21 October.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2012. Muevan las industrias: Towards a Political Ecology of Breast Cancer Epigenetics. McNair Scholars Symposium, University of California, Berkeley, 2-6 August.

Aranda, A. Alfonso. 2012. Environmental Problems & the Development of Agricultural Biotechnology. 23rd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference, University of California, Davis, CA, 27 April.

–CONFERENCE SESSIONS ORGANIZED–
2023. Latinx Geographies of Environmental Justice. Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Denver, Colorado, 23 March.

–GUEST LECTURES–
2023. Guest Lecture at Public Health undergraduate course, Fundamentals of Health & Safety (PUBH-100). Hosted by Dr. Yousif Abulhassan of Sacramento State University, Spring semester

2019. Guest Lecture at Public Health Sciences graduate course, Public Health Issues in California’s Central Valley (SPH-202). Hosted by Dr. Michelle Ko of UC Davis, Fall quarter.

2019. Guest Lecture at American Studies undergraduate course, Environmental Justice (AMS-101G). Hosted by Dr. Julie Sze of UC Davis, Fall quarter.

2019. Guest Lecture at Chicana/o Studies undergraduate course, Qualitative Methods Research (CHI-023). Hosted by Dr. Monica Torreiro-Casal of UC Davis, Fall quarter.

2019. Guest Lecture at Chicana/o Studies graduate course, Community-Based Participatory Research (CHI-290). Hosted by Dr. Natalia Deeb-Sossa of UC Davis, Spring quarter.

2018. Guest Lecture at Geography graduate seminar, Methods of Socio-spatial Analysis in Geography (GEO-200DN). Hosted by Dr. William Lacy of UC Davis, Winter quarter.

2018. Guest Lecture at Environmental Economics and Policy (ENVS-107). Hosted by Madeline Gottlieb of San Jose State University, Fall semester. 

2017. Guest Lecture at Chicana/o Studies undergraduate course, Community-Based Participatory 

Research (CHI-141). Hosted by Dr. Natalia Deeb-Sossa of UC Davis, Winter quarter.

2017. Guest Lecture at Chicana/o Studies undergraduate course, Qualitative Methods Research (CHI-023). Hosted by Dr. Lorena Marquez of UC Davis, Fall quarter.

2016. Guest Lecture at UC Davis One Health Center’s Knights Landing undergrad clinic course. Hosted by Taylor Chin of UC Davis, Fall quarter.

2012. Guest Lecture at screening of “La Cosecha (The Harvest).” Hosted by Mary Jennings from the Sacramento Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program, Natural Food Co-op with a focus on Fair Trade, Sacramento, CA, 15 Aug.

2012. Guest Lecture at the Raza Youth Conference. “An environmental history of chicana/os and disease.” Hosted by the Student Retention & Recruitment Center, UC Davis, 11 May.

HONORS, AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
–FELLOWSHIPS–
Gerardo Marín Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of San Francisco, 2022-2023

Geography Graduate Group Fellowship from the Geography Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, 2021; 2013

Graduate Student Fellowship from the Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of California, Davis, 2019

–RESEARCH GRANTS, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR–
Henry A. Jastro Research Award from the Geography Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, 2017-2019

Academic Research Award from the Institute for Social Sciences in partnership with the Center for Regional Change, University of California, Davis, 2017

Small Grant Award with Skye Kelty for the Knights Landing One Health Festival from the Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of California, Davis, 2017

HATCH: Feminist Arts & Science Shop Gran with Skye Kelty from the Mellon Research Initiative, University of California, Davis, 2017

Idea Pitch Funding from the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of California, Davis, 2016

–HONORS & AWARDS–
Environmental Justice Graduate Student Award Program from the John Muir Institute for the Environment, University of California, Davis, 2017

–AS AN UNDERGRADUATE–
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, University of California, Davis, 2011-2012

McNair Scholars Summer Research Grant, University of California, Davis, 2012

R.E. & Hilda M. Sparling Scholarship, University of California, Davis, 2010-2011

SERVICE & MEMBERSHIP
At UC Davis

• Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (Fellow)
• Nature and Society Area of Emphasis (Member)
• Center for Regional Change (Affiliate)
• Left Coast Political Ecology Working Group (Member)
• Department of Chicana/o Studies (Affiliate)
• Students of Color Conference (Delegate)
• John Muir Institute for the Environment (Fellow)
• Environmental Health Sciences Center (Fellow)
• McNair Scholars Program (Fellow)
• Jonathan London Lab (Member)
• Heidi Ballard Lab (Member)
• American Association of Geographers
• Citizen Science Association
• Imagining America

PUBLICATIONS
2023. Aranda, A. Residential perceptions risk in an unincorporated farmworker community: a qualitative assessment. Manuscript in preparation. 

2023. Manzo, R., Deeb-Sossa, N., Aranda, A., Kelty, S. En Comunidad: An Examination of Prehealth Students’ Experiences in Community-Engaged Service Learning. Manuscript submitted for publication.

2023. Deeb-Sossa, N., Manzo, R., Aranda, A., Kelty, S. Cultivating university students’ critical sense of belonging through community-responsive scholar-activism. Manuscript under review.

2022. Deeb-Sossa, N., Manzo, R., Kelty, S., Aranda, A. Community-Responsive Scholar Activist
Research: Conceptualizing Capacity Building and Sustainability in a Northern California
Community-University Partnership. Journal of Community Practice, DOI: 10.1080/10705422.2022.2033375

2021. London, J.K., Fencl, A.L., Watterson, S., Choueiri, Y., Seaton, P., Jarin, J., Dawson, M., Aranda, A., King, A., Nguyen, P. Pannu, C., Firestone, L., Bailey, C. Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities and the Struggle for Water Justice in California. Water Alternatives, 14(2), pp.520-545

2020. Kelty, J. S., Aranda, A., & Deeb-Sossa, N. Environmental scientists in the field: Lessons learned connecting to the local experience, network, and knowledge as an Environmental Toxicology outsider in a small Californian agricultural community. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts (Vol. 2020, pp. SY042-08)

2018. London, J.K., Fencl, A.L., Watterson, S., Choueiri, Y., Seaton, P., Jarin, J., Aranda, A., Dawson, M., Nguyen, P. Pannu, C., Firestone, L., Bailey, C. The Struggle for Water Justice in the San Joaquin Valley: A Focus on Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities. UC Davis Center for Regional Change

2013. Aranda, A. Towards a Political Ecology of Breast Cancer Epigenetics. McNair Journal, University of California, Davis

SKILLS
–LANGUAGES–

• Spanish: native speaker & fluent

–TECH–
General Software

• Adept in the use of Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Adobe Acrobat Professional on both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.
• Very skilled in the use of remote teaching and online learning platforms such as Canvas, Zoom, and Google Meet. 

Qualitative Data Analysis

• Proficient in the use of NVIVO for qualitative and mixed-methods data analysis.
• Adept at using software and tools for transcription.

Quantitative Data Analysis

• Skilled in the use of Stata, R, and Excel for statistical analysis.

Cartographic Design & Geographic Information Systems

• Proficient with ArcGIS for data management and conversion, georeferencing, spatial analysis, and general map creation. 

ACADEMIC REFERENCES
Professor Jonathan K. London, Ph.D.
Community Development at University of California- Davis
133 Hunt Hall, Davis, CA. 95616
Email: jklondon@ucdavis.edu
Department Chair

Professor Julie Sze, Ph.D.
American Studies at University of California- Davis
1203 Hart Hall, Davis, CA. 95616
Email: jsze@ucdavis.edu
Associate Professor

Professor Natalia Deeb-Sossa, Ph.D.
Chicano/a Studies at University of California- Davis
2102 Hart Hall, Davis, CA. 95616
Email: ndeebsossa@ucdavis.edu
Associate Professor

Professor Thomas Beamish, Ph.D.
Environmental Sociology at University of California- Davis
1283 Social Sciences and Humanities, Davis, CA. 95616
Email: tdbeamish@ucdavis.edu
Associate Professor

Professor Rachel Morello-Frosch, Ph.D., MPH
Environmental Science Policy and Management at University of California- Berkeley
120 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA. 94720
Email: rmf@berkeley.edu
Professor

Professor David Silver, Ph.D.
Environmental Studies at University of San Francisco
141 Kalmanovitz Hall, San Francisco, CA, 94117
Email: dmsilver@usfca.edu
Department Chair

COMMUNITY PARTNER AND MENTEE REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST