Scientific Plenary and Awards Ceremony
Kathleen Treseder
Monday, August 11, 8:00-10:00 AM
Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, PhD is the Howard A. Schneiderman Endowed Chair and Professor at the University of California, Irvine. She leads an internationally recognized research program studying how climate change affects endangered ecosystems and our society. She received her PhD from Stanford University and has been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Microbiology, and the Ecological Society of America. She has published over 120 articles in scientific journals.
Councilmember Treseder’s research has been featured on NPR and in numerous publications, including Discover Magazine, The Orange County Register, and Harper’s Bazaar. She and her husband, Jim, founded the Treseder Randerson Fund, which supports programs for crime victims, refugees, those in pandemic-related distress, Asian-American immigrants, and environmental justice.
Since her election to the Irvine City Council in November 2022, Councilmember Treseder has been at the forefront of driving environmental and sustainability efforts, aiming to position Irvine as a leader in the battle against climate change. Her leadership has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives to prohibit the use of gas-powered lawn equipment, propelling forward Irvine’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and advocating for reforms in the governance structure of the Orange County Power Authority. She also champions active transportation and other incentives to reduce our dependence on car-based transportation.
In addition to her work on the environment, Councilmember Treseder is a staunch advocate for open government, taking the lead to safeguard community tax dollars at the Great Park and leading the charge for reforms surrounding the city’s lobbyist regulations
New Phytologist Foundation Keynote
Sasha Reed
Monday, August 11, 10:30-11:30 AM
Sasha Reed, Research Scientist, United States Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center
Sasha Reed is an ecologist studying terrestrial ecosystems and how they respond to change. Her research focuses not only on understanding and forecasting the impacts of anthropogenic change, but also finding novel solutions to mitigate and adapt to these changes. Reed has won numerous awards for the quality and impact of her science, and she works to actively promote inclusivity in science and to share the power and joy of scientific discovery. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder.