Advising Appointments

Staff Advisors

Advising is a great way for current and prospective students to learn about different majors, navigating through the major, jobs and internships, and grad school opportunities. We have dedicated staff advisors, faculty master advisors, track advisors, and peer advisors available for both current and prospective students.

Which advisor should I see?

Staff advisors are your first stop for advising and can help you navigate the major and plan your classes, as well as offer general advice about the major. Not sure who to ask or what to ask? Start with your staff advisor.

Lead faculty advisors are a great resource for help with picking a track if you're not sure, they can help with questions about grad school or careers after graduation, and could even help you find the right alternate major if you're not sure your current major is right for you.

Track advisors can help with course selection, study abroad planning, internship, career, and graduate school advice targeted to the subject area of your track.

Peer advisors are current ESM students who can provide an inside perspective on the major and the classes that are part of the major.


The ESM major is jointly coordinated by the Department of Environmental Science & Policy (ESP) and the Department of Land, Air, & Water Resources (LAWR). Advising for the major is split by last name. ESP coordinates advising for students with last names starting with A-L and LAWR coordinates advising for students with last names starting with M-Z.

Advising in ESP (Last names A-L)

Melissa Whaley (she/her) is the staff advisor. She is your first stop for all major related questions. Melissa is located in 2134 Wickson Hall and is doing both in person and remote appointments. You can reach her by email at mmwhaley@ucdavis.edu, by phone at 530-752-7183, or you can book an appointment online using the Advising Appointment System. Melissa is also available for drop-in advising on Tuesdays from 1-2 on zoom.

Kai Uchio (he/him) is the peer advisor for in ESP for the ESM major for summer 2023. Kai just graduated from the ESM major, Climate Change & Air Quality track. Kai is located in 2136 Wickson Hall. You can reach him at esmadvising@ucdavis.edu.

Elise Gustilo (she/her) will be the ESM peer advisor for the 23-24 academic year. Elise is a junior in the ESM major. Her fall quarter hours will be posted closer to the beginning of fall quarter.

Prof. Marissa Baskett (she/her) is the lead faculty advisor and is located in 2004 Wickson Hall. She is available by appointment only during the summer. Please email Dr. Baskett at mlbaskett@ucdavis.edu for an appointment.

Advising in LAWR (Last names M-Z)

Lacole Brooks is the staff advisor. She is your first stop for all major related questions. Lacole is located in 1150 Plant & Environmental Sciences (PES) and is available by appointment only. You can make an appointment online. You can also reach her by email at lbrooks@ucdavis.edu or by phone at 530-752-1603.

Caden Williams (she/her) is a peer advisor in LAWR for the ESM major. Caden is a senior in the ESM major, Ecology, Biodiversity, & Conservation track. She is also double majoring in Geology. Caden is located in 1139 Plant & Environmental Sciences. Caden's hours will vary over the summer, please email her for an appointment. You can reach her at cadwilliams@ucdavis.edu.

Mackenzie Moore (she/her) is our new peer advisor in LAWR for the ESM major. Mackenzie is a senior in the ESM major, Ecology, Biodiversity, & Conservation track. Mackenzie's fall quarter hours will be posted closer to the beginning of the quarter. You can reach her at mkemoore@ucdavis.edu.

Prof. Terry Nathan is the lead faculty advisor. He is available by appointment only. You can book an appointment by emailing him at trnathan@ucdavis.edu.

Track Advisors

Climate Change and Air Quality Prof Erwan Monier emonier@ucdavis.edu

Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation Prof Steve Sadro ssadro@ucdavis.edu

Environmental Data Science/Geospatial Information Science Prof Yufang Jin yujin@ucdavis.edu

Natural Resource Management Prof Mike Springbron mspringborn@ucdavis.edu

Soils and Biogeochemistry Prof Rebecca Lybrand ralybrand@ucdavis.edu

Watershed Science Prof Greg Pasternack gpast@ucdavis.edu