The University of Arizona
Fish and Wildlife Society
2025-2026 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!
Ramine Mohebbi
President
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management, Senior
Hello, my name is Ramine Mohebbi (he/him) and I am honored to be the 2025-2026 president of the University of Arizona's student chapter of the Fish and Wildlife Society. I have been a member of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars program which gave me field experience in Arizona, West Virginia, and Florida with a primary focus on snakes. I have also gained legal and legislative experience as a TA for RNR 480 and an intern for District 6 candidate and attorney, Mo Goldman. I plan to go into environmental law and enjoy exploring the imperative relationship between the legislation and wildlife.
I am from Phoenix, Arizona and I've spent most of my life in the valley. I'm a sucker for the desert and it’s wildlife and spend the majority of my free time outdoors hiking, herping, or taking photos. After my undergrad I plan to attend law school and use my field and leadership experience to inform my practice as an environmental attorney. I hope to improve the national and global state of the environment and its wildlife through the collaboration of legislation, outreach, and fieldwork!
Isa Ross
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!
Nahush Tirumala
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.
Malachi McCardell
Vice President
Major: Natural Resources - Wildlife Conservation and Management, Senior
Hey all, my name is Malachi McCardell (he/him). I am a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Conservation and Management. I am excited to be the vice president this year of the University of Arizona’s student chapter of the Fisheries and Wildlife Society. Throughout my life, I have loved any opportunity that I have had to learn about various factions of the animal kingdom, though herpetology is what I am most knowledgeable and passionate about. I have had great opportunities to work with native and invasive Arizona reptiles and amphibians, including Sonoran mud turtles and narrow-headed gartersnakes, so I also have experience with these groups.
I was born in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, but I have moved around a lot, including spending 5 years in England. In that time, I have had some great experiences in a variety of ecosystems and places, such as having experience in the zoo at Capel Manor College in Enfield (a town in London, England). I was able to work with various exotic species, from the ring-tailed lemur to an ornate monitor lizard. I have also loved the experiences that I have been allowed to have with this club. From the Bioblitz to the surveys of the Santa Cruz River, I have learned so much about the biodiversity of the ecosystems in Arizona. I’m glad that I can work with the club and hopefully give members of the club or even those who have a novice interest in the natural world opportunities to experience the incredible wildlife and natural diversity that can be found in Arizona.
Joselyn Carranza
Historian
Major: Animal Science - Animal Industry/Production, Junior.
Hey y'all! My name is Joselyn Carranza (she/her/ella) and I'm currently a junior 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 Historian and connect with other members!
Ryan
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.