By: David Apilado, Jr.  Photo By: David Apilado Jr.

Meet Sequoia Andrade, a second-year Ph.D. student in Statistics at UC Berkeley, whose journey links mathematics, data science, and critical environmental causes. Sequoia's career path highlights the versatility of statistics, moving her from safety engineering at NASA to current research in climate and emissions monitoring.

Sequoia earned her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University, majoring in Mathematics & Psychology. Sequoia stated that she was always good at math, and considering a future in law, she added psychology, but soon recognized that statistics was a powerful tool connecting both fields. She consistently used statistics in her work and enjoyed the applied aspects of the subject.

After an initial rejection from the Berkeley Statistics Ph.D. program, Sequoia set out on a new path by joining NASA Ames as a research engineer. The time she spent at NASA was crucial to her development as a researcher. She worked in the Robust Software Engineering group using machine learning to analyze aviation safety and accident reports, as well as developing computer vision applications using various input sources to identify wildfire smoke for web-based applications.

Following her first two years at NASA, Sequoia sought to strengthen her knowledge in statistics and enrolled in the Master's of Science in Statistical Data Science program at San Francisco State University while continuing her work at NASA. Her master's thesis focused directly on environmental issues, specifically examining the effects of prescribed wildfires in California's changing climate and whether these mitigation efforts reduce large, damaging fires. 

Now with a Master's degree completed and robust professional experience, Sequoia reapplied to the UC Berkeley Ph.D. Statistics program and was accepted. Sequoia chose Berkeley for its wide range of research interests and topics within the Department of Statistics. She also highly values the friendly student community in the department and the vibrant food and culture of the Berkeley area.

Currently, Sequoia works with Professors Ryan Giordano and Philip Stark. Her primary research interests still revolve around the environment. She is currently collaborating with the Chemistry Department on carbon emissions monitoring, using ground-based sensors to accurately quantify emissions sources, which is a vital step in climate change mitigation. Additionally, Sequoia works with Professor Stark to provide ongoing statistical analysis of violations of California's Racial Justice Act. This dual focus perfectly embodies the drive to use rigorous quantitative methods for both environmental and social justice.

When stepping away from research, Sequoia has a wide range of interests. Sequoia enjoys rock climbing and exercise. She has a passion for cooking, including recent explorations into making the perfect vegan croissants. She is a dedicated cat lover, often feeding stray cats and caring for two feline companions of her own.

Sequoia embodies the spirit of curiosity and impact at UC Berkeley, using the rigor of statistics to tackle two of society's most critical challenges: environmental sustainability and social justice. Her journey from NASA engineer to Ph.D. researcher underscores the transformative power of dedication and the boundless applicability of statistics when guided by a commitment to improving the world.