Tanvi Kulkarni

What are your majors? Data science and environmental studies

Expected graduation: May 2025

What inspired your interest in the environment and/or community? Growing up, I was fascinated by wildlife, and I often spent my free time visiting zoos or reading books about eclectic species across the animal kingdom. As I gradually became aware of environmental issues such as deforestation and biodiversity loss, I realized that I wanted to do everything I could to help.

An environmental science class I took in high school and several of the courses I have taken thus far in college have opened my eyes to the intersectional nature of our environmental crisis, from environmental racism to the unequal consumption and destruction of natural resources around the world. While these problems may seem daunting to take on, change can start locally, and I have come to understand the pivotal role that communities and grassroots action play in helping our environment.

What would you say to other students who ask about CESP or the Nelson Institute? I think CESP is a great way to meet like-minded students who care about connecting their passion for the environment with a commitment to community.

Something few people know about you: I love visiting natural history museums!