Growing up in New Mexico, Alina witnessed firsthand the effects of shrinking aquifers on both communities and ecosystems — experiences that shaped her belief in the importance of conserving natural spaces and the species that depend on them. In her role as a Playa & Water Conservation Outreach Specialist for eastern New Mexico, she is most excited to work with local communities, meet people, and experience the changing landscape while helping strengthen the future of water in the region.
Alina joined the PLJV team in 2025, bringing experience in science communication, community engagement, and data collection. She previously worked with the USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station on restoration and soil ecology and made complex science more accessible to broad audiences at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Alina holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology with a minor in Chinese from the University of New Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys bird watching, hiking, and comics.