Deniss Martinez, program manager for the UC Davis Environmental and Climate Justice Hub, was recently honored by University of California President Michael Drake and Chair of the Board of Regents Richard Leib as a recipient of the 13th annual President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership.

"Martinez conducts research into forest management policies and restoring cultural fire practices for Indigenous communities across California and teaches cultural Indigenous practices, environmental justice and policymaking to undergraduates. Her work has furthered University of California climate action goals by helping to create sustainable solutions through local community partnerships with impacted Tribes and collaborating with state agencies to mitigate and respond to climate disruptions," according to an announcement of the award from the UC Newsroom. "She is also a board member for the California Public Domain Allottee Association, a nonprofit that works to help Native American allotment holders understand their options for stewarding land allotments granted to their families."

Martinez plays a key role in developing the Environmental and Climate Justice Hub, which is part of the UC Davis Institute of the Environment.

"The Institute of the Environment is proud to have Deniss on our leadership team and is fortunate to be able to interact with her as a champion of environmental and climate justice efforts," said Isabel Montañez, director of the Institute of the Environment.

To read the full announcement from the UC Newsroom, please click here.