Tomas is currently an undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a distinction in International Relations.  Along with his studies, Tomas is President of Model United Nations, a student-run organization based at UCR, where he is responsible for the personal and professional development of fellow members in learning the international system.  Through his participation in this organization, Tomas has earned awards from multiple National Model United Nations competitions for his exceptional research and writing skills.  As an aspiring political reporter/journalist, Tomas makes considerable contributions to The Highlander, UCR’s student-organized newspaper, writing on geopolitics, climate activism, democratic decline and much more.  Tomas contributes to The Human Survival Project’s mission of international reform as a member of its UN Reform Team, and hopes his work can fulfill his passion for informing the public of the importance of the international system.

Tasfia is highly motivated in pursuing a career in humanitarian policy and storytelling through data driven research.  She is currently pursuing her Masters in International Affairs at Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Prior to SIPA, her interdisciplinary experiences within law and digital media journalism fueled her passion in supporting migrant rights.  During her time at a criminal law firm in Queens, NY she worked with first time offenders on getting their background in order to curate character memos for the Assistant District Attorneys.  After feeling unfulfilled in law, she got firsthand experiences at Colibri Center for Human Rights and Safe Horizon - Immigration Law Project.  Tasfia is extremely excited to join The Human Survival Project and help close the gap between civil society and government entities when it comes to issues like climate change, migration, and nuclear proliferation.

Brenda Barrera is a passionate, adventurous, and recent graduate from the University of Florida with a Master of Mass Communication in Digital Strategy. Currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, Brenda’s roots trace back to sunny Miami, FL, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology. Brenda's love for nature and the outdoors is unparalleled. As an outdoor enthusiast, she finds solace in hiking, capturing stunning photographs, and indulging in tasty dishes alongside a glass of gin. When she's not exploring the trails, Brenda enjoys engaging in great conversations and sharing her heartwarming moments as a proud fur-baby momma. Music also holds a special place in Brenda's heart, providing her with a soundtrack to accompany her daily adventures and deepen her appreciation for the beauty and power of the natural world.

Bella is a 19 year old film student at Emerson College.  She aspires to have a career in 3D animation, but also loves video editing.  She cares deeply about the well-being of our Earth, as well as the relationships we all harbor.  She hopes that this project can accomplish what it sets out to do, and that the world will grow for the better.

Brenden is currently studying at Farmingdale State College as a Visual Communications/ Graphic Arts major.  He has had a lifelong passion for art and has experience in Graphic Design, Social Media management, Illustration, Photography, Character Design, Animation, Video Editing and much more.  He hopes to leave the world a better place to live in than when he found it.

Nicole has earned a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Philosophy, Politics & Economics(PPE) and Mandarin from the University at Buffalo in New York.  She is studying for a career in international law, achieving this by having lived abroad in France and Turkey, where she worked with diplomats and embassy members to understand global cooperation.  Her research includes institutional and educational alternatives to development as well as governmental politicization of media.  She has worked with non-profits before, specifically with a non-profit in Uganda to develop a curriculum to promote functional adult literacy.  Currently, Nicole is studying for the LSAT and applying to law schools.  When studying proves too much, she goes to the gym, convinces her friends to go hiking or she locks herself in her room with books and her piano.  She has joined the Human Survival Project on the Writing and UN Reform Teams.  She hopes this internship will help her to understand advocacy from a citizen's point of view and to share that understanding with more people through The Human Survival Project.

Danna is an Economics student with a research focus at the University of Valle in Cali, Colombia.  She is deeply interested and committed to working in the field of social issues, addressing topics such as poverty, inequality, human rights, climate change, and sustainable development.  Throughout her academic journey, Danna has participated in research related to the labor, social, and racial exclusion of young former gang members in the marginalized neighborhoods of Cali.  She has also been involved in research on renewable energy.  Outside of academia, Danna has worked with organizations like Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and Octopus Force, conducting various studies on topics related to innovation, poverty, violence, and sustainable development.  Additionally, she has been a member of NGOs such as AIESEC and FENADECO, aiming to contribute to her country's development and promote commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  With her background and experience, Danna hopes to make a significant contribution to The Human Survival Project and raise greater awareness about the need to care for the planet, strengthen and reform the UN, and join forces to address the global social challenges that threaten humanity's progress.

Frances works as a scriptwriter/editor and concept artist for the Human Survival Project. She is a current junior at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and is majoring in English with a double minor in Studio Art and History.  In her free time, she loves reading, playing the piano, hiking, camping, and playing with her two dogs—Rosie and Mabel.  Through the Human Survival Project, she hopes to increase the accessibility of vital information regarding the health and future of our planet.

Josh graduated from California State University Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.  Having a personal interest in international politics and a desire to make the world a better place, he chose to intern with the Human Survival Project.  When he’s not working for his city’s Recreation Department, he is either playing video games or spending time with his friends and family.

Sophia is student currently studying Film & Television at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Alongside her passions for social justice and environmental activism, she enjoys painting, baseball and science fiction.  She works on developing and editing videos for The Human Survival Project’s YouTube channel.

Tenielle is a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a passion for humanitarian work and international relations.  She is currently pursuing a Master's in International Relations degree at Columbia University as well as a Master's in Public Policy degree at the Hertie School in Berlin, specializing in a field that combines her interests in global development and foreign policy.  Tenielle's academic journey began at NYU's Shanghai campus, where she completed her undergraduate studies in 2022.  During her time there, she immersed herself in diverse cultural experiences, gaining a deep understanding of the complexities of international relations.  Seeking opportunities to engage in humanitarian work, she interned with The Neriah Community Foundation, a renowned organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities.  Her involvement allowed her to contribute to various projects focused on education, healthcare, and community development.  Driven by a desire to understand the implications of foreign investment on workers' rights in West Africa, Tenielle embarked on a research journey to the region.  Her extensive fieldwork involved conducting interviews, gathering data, and analyzing the socio-economic dynamics in the context of Sino-Africa relations.  Through her research, she shed light on the challenges faced by workers and advocated for better labor standards and protections.

Madeline Galer is a graduate of Western Michigan University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Photography and Intermedia. Currently based in New York City, she works within the art industry, exploring a diverse range of mediums, including photography, video, and podcasting. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Madeline is always expanding her skill set—constantly experimenting with new techniques, mastering cutting-edge editing tools, and staying ahead of industry trends. Over the years, she has produced two of her own podcasts and now brings her expertise to editing The Human Survival Project podcast and video series. Passionate about sports, she keeps a close eye on her beloved Detroit teams and follows soccer across the globe. 

Selena is an ambitious animator from El Paso, Texas.  With a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University in animation, she has a passion for the medium.  She works diligently to create work that can entertain as well as inspire others in the hopes of working at an animation studio.  With knowledge from each part of the animation pipeline, Selena continues to learn from those around her in order to adapt and advance her own skills.  With ability in both traditional and digital art she perseveres to meet every deadline she is given.

Ben is a Master’s student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, where he is studying International Development.  Upon graduating from Loyola University Chicago in 2015, Ben spent five years living and working in the Japanese countryside until the COVID-19 pandemic sent him back to the US.  Ben has also conducted two research projects abroad - one in Kenya where he wrote about infrastructure and China’s development programs in Africa, and one in Tunisia where his work involved comparing and contrasting the constitutions between Egypt, Libya and Tunisia pre- and post-Arab Spring.  Ben has also spent time studying in Vietnam and Cambodia, and hopes to bring a useful and valuable perspective from his international and research experience to the team.  In his free time, Ben enjoys photography and playing soccer.

Ambreen is an artist from Tennessee currently interning under the Human Survival Project as an animator.  She graduated from Lipscomb University with a B.F.A in animation, and her favorite method of animating is in 2D.  She also takes part in character design.

Sarmad is a political science graduate from Government College University, Pakistan, who aspires to leverage his education to make a meaningful impact in the field of inclusive global governance, human security, conflict resolution and institutional reform. Before joining The Human Survival Project, Sarmad gained valuable experience as a writer for the Borgen Project, and consistently reported on various aspects of global poverty.  Currently, he is part of the UN Reform team within The Human Survival Project, actively researching and advocating for UN improvements to address critical global challenges.

Adam Lake is currently a graduate student at Brown University, pursuing a PhD in philosophy.  After having spent most of his childhood obsessed with fiction books and dogs, he discovered philosophy while getting his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, adding it as a second major on top of his original major in political science.  Other experiences along the way have included working as a research assistant, volunteering with a political campaign, and learning (then subsequently forgetting) how to play the violin.

Cole lives in Connecticut, where he is currently going to college, studying computer science and cybersecurity, and working as a server at a Spanish wine bar.  At the Human Survival Project he works as a writer, mainly authoring material on technology.  Outside of work and school, he spends his time with friends as well as listening to and playing music, programming, playing video games, and reading, especially about history and world events.  He was inspired to join the project by seeing his father’s hard work in founding the organization, and many long conversations with him about the problems humanity faces.

Andrew is a recently graduated animator and motion graphics artist, whose art has won statewide awards and nominations.  He spent most of his time in high school creating freelance animations, cartoons and art for a niche audience online, and went on to take 8 art classes.  He decided he wanted to further hone in on his skills and pursue a degree in the animated arts.  During college, Andrew became more aware of racial and economic inequality and issues facing working class Americans. He wondered why seemingly he could not get ahead despite an American Dream childhood offered by his parents.  What he found was more than America at stake, but the entire world, without systemic change to resolve the crises of climate change and inequality.  Andrew is now working on The Human Survival Project as a Motion Graphics Artist to help push for awareness of potential threats humanity faces.

Koen is a political science student from Raleigh, North Carolina focusing on American history, philosophy, and international relations.  He has closely studied topics surrounding the applicability of foreign policy tools against various foreign actors.  In his free time, he enjoys writing on the political issues of the day, reading novels, and playing music on the piano and drums.  He is a journalist and editor at his university’s newspaper, Technician, where he focuses on North Carolina and American politics.

Thea is 19 years old and currently attends the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She majors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and minors in Linguistics and Music.  She cares a lot about ecology and learning about animals and the environment, but also cares about the well-being of our planet.  Her hobbies include singing and dancing and she has pursued these passions throughout her childhood into today.  She has an interest and passion for video editing and graphic design and wishes to pursue this interest and learn as much as she can into the future.

Adam is a recent political science graduate from Saint Francis University with a keen interest in international studies.  During his time at the university, Adam demonstrated his research prowess by co-authoring an intelligence report that explored the implications of de-dollarization for numerous international corporations.  Adam’s studies also culminated in the publication of an insightful article on western intervention in Haiti and the challenges faced by the nation.  While studying in the southwest of France, Adam immersed himself in the French language, ultimately attaining proficiency while offering teaching instruction and cultural exchange at a local high school.  Beyond his academic achievements, Adam enjoys playing both the guitar and piano.  Motivated by his strong belief in the cause, Adam joined The Human Survival Project with aims to contribute to the project's mission, while honing his research skills and expanding his understanding of complex global issues.

Yakup Tekin, a 23-year-old college senior specializing in 3D animations and visual effects in Wroclaw, Poland, embodies a blend of talent and dedication within his craft.  With over five years of hands-on experience in 3D and video editing, Yakup has contributed his expertise to various projects, ranging from commercial advertising to short films.  His journey in academia reflects a commitment to excellence, evident in his meticulous approach to each project.  Yakup's ability to seamlessly blend creativity with technical proficiency distinguishes him as a promising figure in the field.  As he continues to refine his skills and explore new horizons, Yakup Tekin stands poised to make meaningful contributions to the world of animation and visual effects.

Hassan is a multi-talented individual, thriving in creative and professional roles.  With skills in Forex trading, freelance video and audio editing, Urdu voice acting, YouTube content creation, and VFX editing, he excels across various mediums.  Holding a Master of Business Administration and having served as an Area Sales Officer for two years, Hassan combines strategic planning and customer relations expertise.  Alongside his achievements, his passion for fitness drives regular gym sessions.  Hassan's diverse skill set, business acumen, and commitment to personal well-being shape him into a dynamic and accomplished individual.