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Board Members

Dennis Wang

President 

Hi, my name is Dennis Wang, and I am a junior majoring in Environmental Engineering. Ever since I visited the Turtle Back Zoo when I was young, I have always had a deep passion for all types of animals. I firmly believe that all animals should be treated as individuals and have taken this approach to any animal that I encounter. This past summer, I worked at Sea Turtle Recovery, a hospital focused on rehabilitating sea turtles and releasing them into the ocean. I am looking forward to an exciting year!

Dennis Wang

President 

Hi, my name is Dennis Wang, and I am a junior majoring in Environmental Engineering. Ever since I visited the Turtle Back Zoo when I was young, I have always had a deep passion for all types of animals. I firmly believe that all animals should be treated as individuals and have taken this approach to any animal that I encounter. This past summer, I worked at Sea Turtle Recovery, a hospital focused on rehabilitating sea turtles and releasing them into the ocean. I am looking forward to an exciting year!

Nina Cardenas

Vice President

Hello everyone, I’m Nina and I’m majoring in Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources. All my life I’ve had a connection with nature and a deep love for animals. My dream is to help with environmental conservation while enjoying everything nature has to offer. I’m a new board member of The Wildlife Society and I hope to learn so much more about the beauty of wildlife and this organization. I enjoy hiking, birdwatching, traveling and drawing.

Jade Tollis

Secretary

Hello! My name is Jade Tollis and I am majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resource Management with a minor in Environmental Geomatics.  I am also the founder and alumni advisor for the Outdoors Club at my alma mater, Bergen Community College.  It is my career goal to work in either wildlife conservation, environmental education, or both!  When I’m not outside hiking, counting critters for community science, or nature journaling, I work as a veterinary nurse for Veterinary Emergency Group.  I’ve volunteered and interned with a number of NJ wildlife and conservation groups including the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Save Coastal Wildlife, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Terrapin Nesting Project, and the Turtle Back Zoo.  This past summer I was the education intern at Tenafly Nature Center and created an interactive Bird Identification Walk on one of their hiking trails.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of animals that call NJ home such as terrapins, owls, hawks, bats, salamanders, frogs, toads, horseshoe crabs, and oysters!

 

Leah Kapps

Treasurer

Hello! My name is Leah Kapps, and I’m majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and getting the Environmental Geomatics certificate (class of 2026). I care about the environment and animals very deeply and believe it’s very important to protect them. I hope to one day be a conservation biologist. Besides this club, I’m also on a co-ed volleyball rec team, in the marching band, and am interning at the Maslo lab. Some of my hobbies are reading and playing board games.

 

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Sean Castellano

Social Media Coordinator

Hi everyone, my name is Sean and I am currently a junior, with a major in environmental engineering. As a new board member, I aim to gain experience in leadership through this role. Growing up in an agricultural setting, and taking part in bird watching, hiking, clean-ups, and other activities, I have grown to love and understand the powerful force of nature in our built world. When I’m not at school, you can find me spending time running or gardening. I’m looking forward to interesting and exciting speakers, trips, and events!

 

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Samman Pandey

Webmaster

Hi! My name is Samman Pandey and I’ll be serving as the Webmaster for the Rutgers Chapter of the Wildlife Society. I am a Junior majoring in Physics and minoring in computer science. Nature has played a big role in shaping my character and values. I would love to contribute towards eco conservation and animal sanctuaries. Some of my hobbies are bike riding and hiking.

 

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