Andrew Alamillo received the College of Natural and Social Sciences Outstanding Graduate Student Award in November 2025. He graduated in Fall 2025 with an M.S. degree in Environmental Science and is a Department of Energy (DOE)–funded research student, a distinction earned through his outstanding academic and research accomplishments.
His research focuses on post-fire vegetation recovery following the 2020 Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains, using advanced remote sensing techniques to assess ecosystem response and recovery trends. Andrew is the first author of a peer-reviewed publication in Remote Sensing titled “Post-Fire Vegetation Recovery Response: A Case Study of the 2020 Bobcat Fire in Los Angeles, California,” conducted in collaboration with scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Andrew has presented his research at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference and at two Geological Society of America (GSA) conferences through poster sessions and lightning talks. Through these national presentations, he has represented Cal State LA within professional scientific communities, enhancing the visibility and reputation of our program in the environmental and earth sciences.
He was also nominated for recognition at Cal State LA’s Graduate Student & Faculty Mentor Reception following his selection as an intern at NASA JPL, where he has worked since March 2024. His internship projects have contributed significantly to improving the quality and usability of NASA’s remote sensing data.