Meet the Club Members

Doan Goolsby
Tierra Seca President
Doan is a fourth-year undergraduate pursuing a degree in Rangeland Management. He is researching the use of machine learning models to predict the spread of Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffelgrass) and Oncosiphon piluliferum (Stinknet) in southern Arizona. He works in the Social Ecological Systems Lab with Dr. Aaron Lien and the Trait-Based Functional Ecology Lab with Dr. Rachel Mitchell.
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Casandra Harris
Tierra Seca Vice President
Casandra is a second-year transfer student at the University of Arizona, pursuing a B.S. in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Rangelands. Her deep appreciation for nature is rooted in her Diné heritage, which continues to inspire her academic and professional journey. Casandra is passionate about restoring and revitalizing degraded landscapes and ecosystems, and she is committed to advancing ecological and food sovereignty in Native communities.

Oskae Anderson
Tierra Seca Treasurer
Oskar is a UofA senior studying Rangeland Management. A Tucson native and aspiring natural historian, he is grateful for the connections to both social and ecological communities that Tierra Seca provides to students. Oskar currently works to study wildlife movement corridors with the Sky Island Alliance and spent the summer of 2025 recording data on Eastern Wyoming plant communities with TBGPEA.
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Philly Montierth
Tierra Seca Secratary
Philly is a fourth-year student studying rangeland ecology with a strong interest in the intersection of art and working landscapes. They are passionate about using artistic expression to tell the stories of rangelands, highlighting their ecological complexity, cultural significance, and the people who steward them. Through creative storytelling, Philly aims to connect science, land, and community in meaningful and accessible ways.

Miguel Gonzales
Tierra Seca Public Affairs and Outreach Officer
Miguel is a fourth-year student studying wildlife ecology with a particular focus on ornithology. He is passionate about the diverse and unique bird life of southern Arizona and is especially interested in understanding how these species interact with their habitats. Through his work, Miguel aims to deepen appreciation for the region’s avian communities and the ecosystems that support them.

Grace McMahon
Tierra Seca Member
Grace is a fourth-year student studying conservation biology with an interest in landscape restoration. They are passionate about protecting Earth's biodiversity. Through their work with the Santa Rita Experimental Range, Grace aims to contribute to research and open access date sets on plant diversity.
Club Advisor

Dr. Aaron Lien
Dr. Aaron Lien is an Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Adaptive Management at the University of Arizona. His research addresses challenges in Social Ecological Systems (SESs) and integrates human behavior theories and governance frameworks, alongside interdisciplinary expertise in climate science and rangeland management.
Recent Graduates

Brandi Obergon
Graduated Fall 2024

Seth Duncan
Graduated Spring 2025

Maddie Terlap
Graduated Spring 2025

Dakota Baden
Graduated Spring 2025

Brian Muha
Graduated Spring 2025

