The University of Arizona
Fish and Wildlife Society
2023-2024 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!
Matthew Mayer
President.
Major: Natural Resources with a Fisheries Conservation and Management Emphasis, Sophomore.
Hi, I’m Matthew Mayer and I am excited to be the UA Fish and Wildlife Club President! I love talking to people and hearing what you are up to, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation!
I am currently a Sophomore studying Natural Resources with an emphasis in Fisheries Conservation and Management with a certificate in Zoo and Aquarium Conservation. I was born and raised here in Tucson, Arizona and that gave me a great love for aquatic habitats. I am a fan of desert springs and wetlands, especially their fish and plants. I am hoping to take that love and work in the US Fish and Wildlife Service or an NGO on the conservation and restoration of rare aquatic species in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Though I am also considering continuing on to graduate school to study novel ways to conserve these species.
I love the opportunities this club provides and gets out to its members, and it has helped me expand my network and participate in some fun stuff. I hope to use my time as president to build more community in the club and get us some fun experiences outside to enjoy this amazing region. I love to spend time roaming the desert and surrounding sky islands, learning new things, and meeting new people. I enjoy interpreting the desert, especially ethnobotany, and the long human history of this region. I have two dogs named socks and cinnamon, both are adorable. Though I appreciate all food, Mexican food has a special place in my heart….and stomach.
Lauren Samaniego
Vice President.
Major: Natural Resources with an emphasis in Fisheries Conservation and Management and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Minor in Marine Sciences, Sophomore.
Hi! My name is Lauren Samaniego.
Woods Nystedt
Secretary.
Major: Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and Management
Howdy! My name is Woods Nystedt, and I am the 2023-2024 Secretary for UAFWS. I am studying Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and Management, though I also have an interest in fisheries reflected in my studies. I was born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ to parents in the Natural Resources field and spent a lot of time outdoors growing up, which gave me the passion I have today for nature and wildlife.
While I don’t yet have any very specific career goals after I graduate, I hope to get to do a variety of work within the conservation field that allows me to travel, learn new things, and meet many people. Besides spending time outside, in my free time I like to take part in artistic endeavors, and recently declared a Film and Television minor to work a bit more creativity into my academics. I am excited to work with the club to grow our membership and provide lots of great opportunities!
Isabel Tejada
Treasurer.
Major: Veterinary Sciences with an emphasis in animal behavior. Minors in Biochemistry and Natural Resources, Senior
Hi! My name is Isabel Tejada and I am excited and thrilled to be an officer of the UA Fish and Wildlife Society. I am always here for any questions or advice for other members in the club! I am a tutor in general and organic chemistry, MCB 181R, and ECOL 182R. I hope to help increase attendance this year and manage the club funds well so we can make more money than last year!
My goals are to be a wildlife/exotic veterinarian in the future and I am applying to veterinarian school this cycle. I have done a spay/neuter trip to Costa Rica and will be doing a study abroad in South Africa in Summer of 2023.
I have a pet cat named Sushi and I love to eat a variety of foods! I am always down to try new places and have great recommendations for local places in Tucson. I also love being outdoors and exploring new hiking spots. I am also a big anime fan, my favorite is Attack on Titan! A true classic.
Miguel Gonzales
Historian.
Major: Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and Management, Sophomore.
Hello! I’m Miguel Gonzales. I’ve always been possessed of a keen fascination in nature, having viewed copious amounts of wildlife documentaries and films in my early childhood. Though only in recent years have I felt compelled to become more involved in conservation, and in particular, wildlife management. At present, my long term goal is to eventually work for the Arizona Game & Fish Department and contribute to local conservation and management efforts. I’m also a tremendous devotee of reading! From among various subjects including military history, natural/evolutionary history, outdoor writings, and historical biographies.
As for the club, I’m exceedingly delighted for what is to come, be it new opportunities for volunteering or research! I owe this club quite a fair lot personally, and I’m tremendously pleased to have the opportunity to help out the club for having so greatly helped me.
Social Media Chair.
Major: Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and Management, Sophomore
Hi! My name is Tylea Jorgenson and I’m so excited to be an officer for the club. I hope we can bring some new and exciting opportunities to our members this year! Being a born and raised Alaskan, I have always had a deep rooted passion for animals and the natural world. I actually wanted to be a wildlife veterinarian at first and worked a couple years at both emergency and GP veterinary clinics. However, I realized that being under fluorescent lights all day was not the life I wanted and it has deeply influenced what I want to do after graduation. I plan on traveling with my work through various wildlife technician jobs and am considering getting a masters degree in animal behavior or something similar. After that, I hope to work at the Smithsonian and aid in the education that surrounds wildlife and conservation efforts. I’m a very down to earth person and absolutely love doing yoga and meditating in my free time! Other than that, I train both service and therapy dogs for the community back home in Alaska and I’ve been doing that for the past 8 years! I’m always excited for new adventures and exploring where life takes me.
Tylea Jorgenson
Emilio
DEI Chair.
Major: Natural Resources with an emphasis on Conservation Biology.
Hello, my name is Emilio Romero and I am the new DEI chair for this club. I am in charge of making sure this club is as inclusive as possible. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any suggestions or stories that may help with this. I was born and raised in Tucson Arizona and my ancestors have been here for thousands of years. So this place is important to me and that includes all its wildlife. In order to spread this importance, our education must reach as many people as possible.
I work at the Centennial Hall Theatre but spend most of my time around Tucson documenting wildlife. This means traveling around and taking pictures of every living thing I can find. From birds to fungi, I may not focus on one thing but my pictures have variety. You may find my work under the name Theearthworm at inaturalist.com. Hopefully, I will continue on working with wildlife in the future.