Max Tcheng, a third-year Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major and Sustainability Studies minor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has always been curious about the natural world. Raised in the suburbs of Pleasant Hill, CA, he now lives among the redwoods, beaches, and shrublands of sunny Santa Cruz. His passions lie in giving back to nature through conservation and urban ecology. Fascinated by the intersections of humans and wildlife, Max dedicates himself to continuous learning through study and research.

Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Max enjoys exploring his interests through conversation and music. He also finds joy in cooking and eating good food with great company, exploring the biodiversity around him, and finding beauty in the small wonders of life. Always thinking about his place in the natural world and our shared responsibility to care for it, Max is especially grateful for this opportunity to work directly with an endemic endangered species.

Max also expresses his gratitude to the USFWS, the MANO Project of Hispanic Access Foundation, and his supervisors and colleagues.