Hi everyone!
My name is Shanelle Thevarajah and I am a second year Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut, and the Graduate Mentor for the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Guelph in 2019 with a focus on Zoology and Family/Child Studies. During this time, I realized how much I love the intersection between science and communities, which motivates me to bring both together as much as I can. I worked two seasonal positions at Denver Zoo while completing my undergraduate degree and love science communication. In these roles, I developed activities relating to wildlife conservation, narrated penguin and giraffe feedings, and worked with the teen volunteer program. I love the natural world and have worked/volunteered in a lot of positions where I handled critters – large, small, slithery, crawly… you name it!
From there, I completed my M.S. in Environmental Biology from Regis University in 2021, where my thesis focused on the social behavior of male Asian elephants. I love working in the environmental field and getting others involved in science – in whatever way works best for them.
After graduating, I worked for a non-profit in Colorado where I managed internships in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). These positions were created to build pathways for underrepresented young adults in the conservation field. I acted as a point of contact for interns and park supervisors throughout their programs, while offering training and resources for the intern during their time with us.
Through this position, I traveled to several parks and worked with some amazing interns across the United States. Some of my favorite parks include Saguaro National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Glacier National Park. I managed a fishing and birding program, so I learned how to fly fish and think fish are a super underrated animal. This position inspired me and sparked my interest in mentoring. It’s especially rewarding to see that some of the interns I once supported are still working with the NPS today!
I began my Ph.D. journey at UConn in June 2024 and have already had the joy of mentoring one cohort of CAP students. I’m excited to continue that work with this year’s group! My research explores what drives and discourages people from pursuing careers in the environmental field, with an additional focus on how mentorship can support the recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students.
Alongside my research, I’ve developed and led water justice lessons for several high school programs, including Upward Bound and NRCA CAP. I love seeing students connect their own experiences to big questions about equity, environment, and their communities.
In my free time, I love to spend time with my dog (Oswald/Ozzy), cook/bake, and explore new places. I am always down for an adventure and to see what the northeast has to offer! I can’t wait to continue my time at UConn and support more CAP students as they carry out projects that will benefit their communities.
