UC CSU Undergraduate Research Internship Program

Introducing ECCLPs Undergraduate Research Program Mentors and Mentees. Our internship program unites students from both the UC and CSU systems to collaborate on impactful climate change education research.

Meet Your Campus Team

  • NorCal Regional Leader

    San Jose State University

    Area of Research: Environmental Studies; Environmental Education

Chico State

CSU Monterey Bay

San Francisco State

San Jose State

UC Davis

  • NorCal Regional Leader

    University of California, Berkeley

    Area of Research: Climate, Energy, and Decision Science

Cal Poly Humboldt

CSU East Bay

Sacramento State

Sonoma State

UC Berkeley

  • Central Regional Leader

    California State University, Fresno

    Area of Research: Earth and Environmental Sciences

Central Valley Mix

Fresno State

Stanislaus State

UC Merced

UC Santa Cruz

  • SoCal Regional Leader

    California State Polytechnic University Pomona

    Area of Research: Biology; Intertidal Ecology

Cal Poly Pomona

CSU Los Angeles

CSU San Marcos

San Diego State

UC Riverside

  • SoCal Regional Leader

    California State University, Long Beach

    Area of Research: Sustainability Management and Policy

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

CSU Dominguez Hills/CSULB Mix

CSU Long Beach

UC Los Angeles

UC Santa Barbara

  • SoCal Regional Leader

    University of California, Irvine

    Area of Research: Conservation and Restoration Science

ECCLPs Team & Staff

  • Kelley Lê has been in the educational field for over 15 years as a high school science educator, instructional coach, and educational leader. She is currently the executive director of the UC–CSU Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLPs), former director of the UC Irvine Science Project, Friends of the Planet NCSE Award recipient (2022), and author of Teaching Climate Change for Grades 6-12: Empowering Science Teachers to Take on the Climate Crisis Through NGSS (2021). She also serves as a CLEAN advisory board member, and a Climate Reality Corps mentor.

  • Dr. Jennifer Cao is an advocate for advancing climate and environmental literacy. She has dedicated her educational career to fostering transformative change. She brings with her over a decade of experience in the educational field and has a diverse background in designing and facilitating teacher professional development programs centered in cultural relevance and equity for 21st century science teaching and learning. As the former Associate Director of the UCI Science Project, she enjoys developing partnerships with faculty, school districts, and community-based organizations to ensure that programs and initiatives are accessible and impactful. Through her leadership and dedication, she hopes to inspire educators and students to become change agents in building a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

  • Andrea Tolentino is a third-year transfer student to UC Irvine, where she is pursuing a BA in Social Ecology while minoring in Urban and Regional Planning. She has a diverse background in the arts and environmental studies, with a passion for merging creativity and sustainability. Currently, Andrea is a student program assistant for the Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects. In addition to her professional and academic journey, she enjoys exploring nature and visiting urban green spaces.

  • Ben Chea is a Master of Public Policy student at the School of Social Ecology, specializing in higher education. As a former transfer student, he understands the challenges faced by community college students and focuses on policies and programs to support their academic success. Ben is also dedicated to promoting environmental literacy and climate change awareness among younger generations. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and rewatching La La Land.

Connect with us

  • For more information, contact us at ECCLPs@uci.edu and sign up for our mailing list to receive the monthly newsletter with updates, opportunities, and special announcements!