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 or by phone and from 2-4 in person or by phone. Please note that there will be no drop-in advising on Tuesday, March 21.

Kai Uchio (he/him) is the peer advisor for ESM. Kai is a senior in the ESM major, Climate Change & Air Quality track. Kai is located in 2136 Wickson Hall. His winter 2023 office hours are Tuesdays 12-3, Wednesdays 8:30-9:30 and 11-2, Thursdays 12-2, and Fridays 8:30-9:30. You can reach him at esmadvising@ucdavis.edu.

Prof. Marissa Baskett (she/her) is the lead faculty advisor and is located in 2004 Wickson Hall. Her office hours are Mondays from 1:10-2pm. If you would like to make an appointment with Prof Baskett, please email Jennifer Carriere jacarriere@ucdavis.edu with "ESM Advising Appointment Needed" in the subject line. If you cannot make her standard office hours, you can email her at mlbaskett@ucdavis.edu with "ESM Advising Appointment Needed Outside of Standard Hours" in the subject line.

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.

Jocelyn Rodriguez (she/her) is a peer advisor in LAWR for the ESM major. Jocelyn is a senior in the ESM major, Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation track. Jocelyn is located in 1139 Plant & Environmental Sciences. Her winter 2023 office hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2-3:45 and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:45-2:45. Jocelyn can be reached at jtrrodriguez@ucdavis.edu.

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. Her winter 2023 office hours are Tuesdays 9-11, Wednesdays 1:30-3:30, Thursdays 9-11, and Fridays 11:30-3:30. You can reach her at cadwilliams@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 Jorge Rodrigues jmrodrigues@ucdavis.edu

Watershed Science Prof Greg Pasternack gpast@ucdavis.edu