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ronald thompson iii

Ronald Thompson III

Undergraduate

Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Ronald (Ronnie) Thompson III graduated from UCLA in the Fall of 2021 as an Environmental Science Major and Conservation Biology Minor. After graduating, he moved to Boston to work for The Best Bees Company. He currently works as a beekeeper and data analyst for the company, primarily working on the HoneyDNA initiative. His involvement in CDLS has prepared him to work in diverse environments such as The Best Bees Company, which is a certified LGBT Business Enterprise that prides itself on providing a safe environment for people of all backgrounds.

There aren’t many African Americans interested in bees, the environment, or urban agriculture. “I love talking about my experiences with beekeeping and how I got into this field. The biggest piece of advice I would give to someone seeking a safe space to explore your interests is finding the courage to be vocal about your interests, and to take the opportunity to explore those spaces when the opportunity arises.” 

“I have been a part of CDLS since my sophomore year and I have had the honor of taking part in both research and outreach projects. I am most proud of being able to present clumped isotope research at the UCLA Undergraduate Research Day, as well as leading the Diversi-Tea/Courageous Coffee program. In this program, we created a safe space for students and faculty to come and discuss issues pertaining to underrepresented, people of color in STEM. I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing diverse group of people looking to change the world around us through collaborative research and community outreach.”

 

Projects