Krista Mays is HDH’s resident expert when it comes to all things recycling, reducing, and reusing. She cultivated her experience as the Environmental Resource Manager with Facilities Management and Auxiliary Plant Services—her responsibilities now include fostering a culture of sustainability among HDH customers and student residents. Krista identifies and prioritizes areas for departmental sustainability efforts, implements and evaluates any efforts undertaken, and serves as a department liaison to campus-wide sustainability committees and efforts.

In West Philadelphia born and raised, Akash is a vital contributor to the EcoNauts nowadays. His ideas, passion, and hard work never cease to amaze his peers—whether it’s spreading information about recycling or doing it himself. He is willing to do whatever it takes to save our planet from demise, fantasizing about saving the world from the horrible atrocities of the careless. With an environmental engineering degree eventually in hand, he hopes to work his way into environmental policy. However, when he is not working so hard to save the world, he enjoys playing basketball and football, having candle light dinners and moonlit strolls on the beach (ladies you may reach him via Facebook or Google +)!

Angela Cooper was one of the original pilots to launch the EcoNauts into existence two years ago (a good thing, since she is the only team member with a pilot’s license). However, her passion for flying and being in the sky does not stop her from working hard to contribute to the grounds below. You will often find Angela in the EcoNauts headquarters, working on new project ideas and/or solving all technological problems. In her free time, this Sci-Fi fanatic can be found stimulating and pushing her imagination to the limit through reading novels, watching movies, and gaming.

The source of unlimited energy for the EcoNauts, Hannah creates the environment in which the team works so well in. Her ideas and experience come from her lifestyle and passion for the outdoors. Some of her favorite activities include hiking, skiing, and camping. Motivated by the desire to preserve her favorite places on the planet, Hannah joined the EcoNauts as one of the founding members two years ago and has worked continuously ever since. When she is not working to save the environment, she is performing on stages for large audiences. As a theater major, Hannah hopes to pursue her passion for acting and singing and hopefully one day score a lead role in the Broadway classic, Chicago. Remember this name because one day you will be saying “I knew her when...”

The “padawan” of the group, James Donegan has just become familiar with the idea of going green. With a strong desire to learn about the environment and sustainability, he brings new ideas and views to the group. You can always count on James to ask questions because there is so much he wishes to know. When he is not working as an EcoNaut, he can be found listening to progressive metal and drumming with any tools he can find. Whether it is with chopsticks, his feet, or pencils, James is capable of creating catchy rhythms and beats without even trying. He enjoys spending time with his fraternity brothers in Tau Kappa Epsilon and participating in whatever adventures life throws at him.

Known as “the most sustainable man in the world”, Shridhar Gambhir is one of the newest EcoNauts to join the team. He discovered his interest in sustainability during his senior year of high school in his Environmental Science class. With the desire to make a difference, Shridhar works continuously to come up with and contribute to new ideas and projects. An avid basketball and volleyball player, he takes passion in playing sports in his free time. When he’s not playing sports or working to save the world, Shridhar finds great pleasure in spending time with his fraternity brothers in Tau Kappa Epsilon. As a mathematics and economics major, he has high ambitions in life. He hopes to obtain a PhD and eventually climb the ladder of success on Wall St. One day, we all will be seeing his face gracing the cover of Forbes Magazine when he becomes a CEO and joins the Fortune 500.

Karen Janssen joined the EcoNauts in Spring 2011. Born in South Carolina, Karen’s southern side can be seen through her love for food—she loves to try new dishes and recipes! Although her favorite is Korean barbeque, she can often be found snacking on Italian dishes, or even some more exotic and less common dishes such as chicken heart. Her interest in the environment began in high school after taking an environmental science class. Ever since then, Karen has made it a goal to become more and more sustainable over the years. This motivation eventually led her to the EcoNauts, where she now has the resources and ability to make changes not only in her own lifestyle, but in those of her peers and the University. When she is free, she can be found painting with acrylic paints and watercolors or spending time with her Delta Gamma sorority sisters. Karen hopes to travel all around the world one day and experience different cultures.

An environmental enthusiast, Pallavi Johary first joined the EcoNauts in Spring 2011 with the desire of making changes to UCSD’s environmental policy. An Environmental Systems major, Pallavi’s passion has led her to places all around the world to help educate local communities. Her experiences help to spark new and innovative project ideas for the EcoNauts to undertake. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters or watching basketball. And with a newly discovered passion for running, you may sometimes bump into Pallavi on campus loop!