Principal Investigator: Dr. Yu Lu

​Lab Members:
Sarah Deaconson Willis
Graduate Student
Water Resources Policy & Management
[email protected]
2025-2027
I am a graduate student at Oregon State University pursuing a master's degree in Water Resources Policy and Management. My research interests lie at the intersection of agriculture, hydrology, and policy. For my master’s thesis, I am investigating how historical and contemporary changes in water availability have influenced winter wheat cultivation in the United States, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of policies and resources designed to help farmers navigate fluctuations in weather, markets, and financial conditions. I am also interested in identifying opportunities to improve these policies and expand access to critical resources. As a farmer myself, I hope to bridge the gap between agricultural communities and policymakers by combining firsthand agricultural experience with a deep understanding of water policy and management. After graduation, I aspire to help address water challenges in the lower basin of the Colorado River. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring the backcountry on foot, creating art with flowers, eating bun cha, doting on my pet rabbits, and playing soccer.
Clara Zaccari
Undergraduate Student
​[email protected]
2026-2028
I’m a first year ecological engineering and sustainability undergraduate student at Oregon State University. I’m originally from Franklin, TN and have always had interests in agriculture, water resources, and sustainability. When I’m not studying for midterms, I love hanging out with my friends, playing guitar and violin, spending time outdoors, and travelling, and being an active member of my sorority. I would love to one day be a water resource engineer and have my own small farm or ranch. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity!
Summer Tillman
Undergraduate Student Assistant
​[email protected]
2026-2027
I’m a third-year ecological engineering and sustainability undergraduate student at Oregon State University. I was born and raised in Tucson; Arizona, and I’ve always been into preserving and protecting the beauty of the outdoors promoting sustainability. In my free time I love to hike, make jewelry, and play video games. I would love to one day be an environmental consultant and adopt as many dogs as possible. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity to make real, tangible contributions to research!
Melody Rice
Post-graduate Research Assistant
​[email protected]
2026-2027
​I am a recent graduate of the Applied Anthropology Master’s program at Oregon State University and joined the RISE Lab (Resilience, Institutions, Society, and Ecosystems) as a research assistant post-grad. I originally grew up in Oakland, California and completed my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Art History at Oberlin College. At OSU, my thesis research focused on educational applications of knowledge co-production between Western and Indigenous ecological knowledge in the Klamath River Basin, post-dam removal. In my research assistant role, I hope to continue exploring the socioecological interface by better understanding agriculturalists’ experiences and perceptions of risk and risk management across Oregon.
Heather Mahoney
Graduate Student
[email protected]
2026-2028
I am a graduate student at Oregon State University, pursuing a master's degree in Water Resource Engineering. I previously graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. I grew up in a small agricultural town in Northern California, leading me to become increasingly interested in the interactions between land use and water systems. More specifically, my interests lie in groundwater and surface water management, and exploring the intersecting hydrologic, socioeconomic, and environmental challenges associated with it. In my free time, I love to stay active, whether that’s hiking, traveling, or playing soccer and racquetball! When I’m not on the go, I find myself making jewelry, playing my bass, or wandering the local farmers market.
Previous mentoring at Oregon State University
Hasne Jahan Meem
Graduate Research Assistant
​[email protected]
2025-2026
​I am a graduate student at Oregon State University, pursuing a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Political Science, Sociology, and Food Studies in Culture and Social Justice. My research focuses on the social, political, and economic dimensions of small-scale farming in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. My graduate thesis explores the challenges and opportunities faced by small and beginning farmers in the Corvallis–Albany area, including issues such as land access, water use, and generational change. My broader interests include agricultural policy, rural development, and the sociology of food systems. Before joining OSU, I completed a Master’s in Economics at East West University and a Bachelor’s in Political Science at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, spending time in nature, and learning about rural communities and local food cultures.

Previous mentoring at the University of Wisconsin - Madison

Eliza Alexandra Eyman

Undergraduate Research Assistant
[email protected]
​2024-2025

Graduate committee member
​2026-2028

​I am an undergraduate research assistant at the People, Institutions, and Ecosystems (PIE) Lab. As a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I am majoring in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies and completing certificates in Leadership and Food Systems. Specifically, I am interested in agroecological research and the intersections of regenerative agriculture and sociology. I am originally from Kentucky, where I grew up on a small rescue farm, which sparked my love for the environment and the practical side of farming. At the PIE lab, I assist with planning, conducting, and transcribing interviews with farmers in the Midwest. This experience is teaching me crucial skills such as interpersonal communication as well as data collection and analysis. I am already incredibly grateful for this experience, which has shown me the intricacies of finances in farming and how this affects farmers' abilities to implement conservation practices and make decisions. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing piano, and dog-sitting!
Lillian Jacqueline Herling

Research Technician
[email protected]
LinkedIn
​2022-2024

​As a research technician in the People, Institutions, and Ecosystems (PIE) Lab, I have assisted lab members with survey and interview facilitation, data collection and analysis, and a variety of research publications. In this role, I primarily work on projects exploring perceptions, policies, and interactions within the food-energy-water-ecosystems (FEWE) nexus across public, private, and non-profit sectors. With a breadth of academic and personal experience in environmental topics and community engagement, I especially enjoy the opportunities to interact with farmers, community organizers, and other folks in the agriculture and natural resources field while conducting this work. Since starting with the lab as an undergraduate research assistant in 2022, Yu’s mentorship has been invaluable for developing practical knowledge in research design, project management, scientific communication, and qualitative and quantitative analysis, while also providing a supportive work environment. In May 2024 I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Community & Environmental Sociology and certificates in Sustainability and German.

Maddie Olson

Research Intern
[email protected]
LinkedIn
​2022-2024​

I am a research intern at the People, Institutions, and Ecosystems (PIE) Lab. I graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Community and Environmental Sociology and a certificate in Data Science. I have assisted on research projects relating to water quality policy, the nexus of food-energy-water-ecosystems (FEWE), conservation easements, and engaging new landowners. My research interests include the relationships between people and the environment, as well as the societal factors involved in issues of the environment. Through working with Yu at the PIE lab for 2 years, I was able to learn valuable knowledge about these interests and improve my skills with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. On a personal note, I enjoy reading, being outdoors, and spending time with my two dogs!

Via de Jesus

Graduate Research Assistant
[email protected]
LinkedIn
​2022-2023​

My work is driven by a passion for helping people reconnect to nature and one another through place-based learning. Regardless of age, we all need an environmental education because we all need and want to “reestablish and restore an ecology of shared identity” - Michael V. McGinnis. Engaging people to participate in hands-on learning in nature encourages them to reflect on their place in the natural world, and fosters a deeper understanding of their relationship to their local environment. I am interested in how we can make outdoor spaces more equitable to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and share in outdoor experiences. Originally from Quezon City, Philippines, I made San José, CA my home in 2023 after completing my M.S. in Environmental Conservation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have a B.S. in Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University.

Emma Henning

Undergraduate Research Assistant 
[email protected]
​2022

Emma Henning currently works for the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology within the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine. She works as a clinical research coordinator for one of the longest-operating longitudinal studies in the country, Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Before her transition to the Department of Medicine, she worked alongside researchers in the Department of Community and Environmental Sociology at UW- Madison to research pediatric vaccination uptake and parental attitudes towards vaccination in rural Wisconsin as well as the effects of COVID-19 on Wisconsin clergy and their congregations.  Both studies utilized qualitative research methods, which is her preferred data type to work with, as she believes data collected from interviews and focus groups can frame future research the way no other data can. Ultimately, her passion for research lies in the community itself, always emphasizing the importance of community engagement and participation when conducting research.

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2024

Farmer Interviews and Farm Visits

Dr. Yu Lu
Assistant Professor, Practice, Human Dimensions of Agricultural Water Management
RISE Lab (Resilience, Institutions, Society, and Ecosystems) 
Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering (BEE) 
​College of Agricultural Sciences
Oregon State University
Contact the Lab
Email: [email protected]
​Office: Hovland Hall 108 ​