Major: BioSciences

Minor: Sociology; Certificate in Civic Leadership

Residential College: Martel College

Hello everyone! My name is Ramya Motati, and I am a senior at Martel studying BioSciences (with a concentration in Biochemistry) and Sociology. My journey with the CCL began with Civic Immersion Late Departure, where I was first introduced to the social and environmental challenges facing communities across Greater Houston. Building on this experience, I co-led a Rich Family Endowment (RFE) project focused on dioxin pollution in a local Houston community, through which I helped develop and implement a pilot phytoremediation project. I was also selected as a 2025–2026 Loewenstern Fellow, which gave me the opportunity to travel to Marquina, Bolivia, and contribute to community programming and sustainable environmental and food initiatives. Currently, I am participating in the CCL Capstone course, where I hope to further explore my interests in environmental justice and the social determinants of health. Throughout these experiences, the CCL has shaped my understanding of what it means to be a changemaker and inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to addressing health inequities. I am always excited to learn about new projects, exchange ideas, and support others in their civic engagement journeys! Please feel free to reach out if you have questions, want to brainstorm ideas, or simply need a sounding board. You can contact me at rm167@rice.edu!