The University of Arizona
Fish and Wildlife Society
2026-2027 Officer Team
Welcome to the UA Student Chapters of TWS and AFS! We are here to help; if you have any ideas, suggestions, or questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Learn more about us below!
Nahush Tirumala
President
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management with a double minor: Marine Sciences and Economics - Sophomore.
Hello, my name is Nahush Tirumala (he/him) studying Wildlife Conservation and Management and double minoring in Marine Sciences and Economics. I am extremely looking forward to serve as the President of University of Arizona Fish and Wildlife Society, and also leading the UAFWS research committee! I am now a sophomore and have been an active member of the club all of last year. I have made some great friends during my time in the club and I am incredibly excited for the amazing opportunities we all will get to experience through the club, and I wish to maximize every minute I get working for the club over my next 3 years at the university.
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved a lot during my early years, ultimately settling in India where I have spent most of my life. My love for animals and nature initially sparked when I watched the movie Bambi when I was 1 and half years old. I have since grown love and appreciation for every terrestrial and marine animal that I know of, though I think snakes hold a special spot, and I’m always looking to learn more. I have worked with the sherpa in the Himalayas for Red Panda conservation, and I have taken part in multiple conservation efforts across the Indian subcontinent tracking majestic Bengal Tigers in various National Parks and Tiger reserves. This summer I just finished a 2 month internship at the esteemed Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands working in the Marine Collections along with a couple other projects. After graduating I plan on doing my MBA and propelling conservation globally to save and conserve our beautiful planet.
Joselyn Carranza
Vice President
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management, Senior
Hey y'all! My name is Joselyn Carranza (she/her/ella) and I'm currently a senior studying Animal Science with emphasis in Animal Industry/Production. I joined UA Fish and Wildlife Society at the beginning of my sophomore year, and trust me when I say I regret not joining sooner! BioBlitz was my first large-scale event and ever since then I have gotten involved in the vast world of Game and Fish volunteer opportunities and random specie studies throughout southern Arizona.
My hometown is Mesa, AZ so I obviously don't come from a traditional agricultural background. My brother and I kind of took over our family lineage with our love for wildlife, animals, nature, and embracing the outdoors. In the past I was involved in the FFA where I raised show goats and served as the Arizona Association State Vice President. These experiences led me to where I currently work at the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. In the future I hope to work in the lab setting to research livestock genetics or potentially pathology. Who knows where I may end up, maybe even wildlife research? I'm super excited to serve this year as the chapter Vice President and connect with other members!
Sami Toghyani
Secretary
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management, Senior.
Hi! My name is Isa, and I'm a senior studying Wildlife Conservation and Management. I particularly love small mammals and community ecology. I try to travel as much as possible, and hope to work in international conservation for my Master's and PhD!
Meredith Riggle
Treasurer
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management with a double minor: Marine Sciences and Economics - Sophomore.
Hello, my name is Nahush Tirumala (he/him) studying Wildlife Conservation and Management and double minoring in Marine Sciences and Economics. I am extremely looking forward to serve as the treasurer of University of Arizona Fish and Wildlife Society, and also leading the UAFWS research committee! I am now a sophomore and have been an active member of the club all of last year. I have made some great friends during my time in the club and I am incredibly excited for the amazing opportunities we all will get to experience through the club, and I wish to maximize every minute I get working for the club over my next 3 years at the university.
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved a lot during my early years, ultimately settling in India where I have spent most of my life. My love for animals and nature initially sparked when I watched the movie Bambi when I was 1 and half years old. I have since grown love and appreciation for every terrestrial and marine animal that I know of, though I think snakes hold a special spot, and I’m always looking to learn more. I have worked with the sherpa in the Himalayas for Red Panda conservation, and I have taken part in multiple conservation efforts across the Indian subcontinent tracking majestic Bengal Tigers in various National Parks and Tiger reserves. This summer I just finished a 2 month internship at the esteemed Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands working in the Marine Collections along with a couple other projects. After graduating I plan on doing my MBA and propelling conservation globally to save and conserve our beautiful planet.
Diego Fuentes
Historian
Major: Animal Science - Pre-Professional Emphasis, Junior
Hello! My name is Diego Fuentes (He/They), a Junior here at the University of Arizona and I am currently studying Animal Science. I joined UA Fish and Wildlife this last year and honestly, it has been the best decision of my life. The newly joined family I have met in this club has truly turned my life around. Fish and Wildlife not only brought me opportunities to get out in the field and work with plants and animals alike but, it gave me a chance to bond with others and spark new connections with countless individuals from all sorts of backgrounds. While I'm not the best as spectating animals in the wild, I am determined to become a pro in the next upcoming years as I work hand and hand with UAFWS.
My hometown is here in Tucson, AZ. Born back in '05 I lived most of my childhood here in Tucson before moving to Southern California for a couple of years, then returned for middle school and have been here ever since. Growing up my exposure to animals had been odd to say the least. Typically consisting of getting attacked by geese at Reid Park, getting chased by my Tata's roosters in California, or breaking out in hives from holding my Nana's cats. Though, regardless of my "traumatic" experiences, I've come to love animals and the wild, as I had pushed myself past my fears and followed my biggest idols; The Wild Kratt Brothers. I mean, now I have expanded my experience vastly with now running Bat Surveys under our research committee, doing bullfrog removal in the Santa Cruz River, and gathering countless photos of wildlife in their natural habitats. After graduation, I plan to keep working with animals, continuing my studies in Veterinary School and specializing in wildlife or livestock.
Julian Byrd
DEI Chair
Major: Natural Resources - Global Change Ecology and Management, Senior.
Howdy, my name is Lacey Ryan (they/them) and I go by my last name Ryan. I am a senior studying Natural Resources with an emphasis in Global Change Ecology and Management. I am incredibly passionate about the health of our global ecosystems and my goals center on large scale recovery and stopping the threats at their source. As the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chairman for this club I ensure we learn from different perspectives and contend with historical fact. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any suggestions or stories that may help with this.
I was raised in Flagstaff, AZ but spent high school at a boarding school in New Mexico. Once I graduated with my associates in science, I travelled with the renaissance festivals for a year and then worked in Alaska as a zipline guide for two years before coming back to school. My favorite hobbies are long distance skateboarding, caving, and camping. I love the complexities of life and cherish any opportunity to learn and work with the species and ecosystems that we depend upon, which is why this club means so much to me. I hope through the many educational opportunities this club provides, others will develop a deep respect for ecosystems and our relationship with the living world.