Genesis Sandoval is a Salvadoran-American urban farmer, soil remediation activist, community scientist, and toxicology student. She earned her Associate’s degree in Agricultural Plant Science at Pasadena City College and completed OSHA HAZWOPER certification in Toxic Hazardous Waste in 2025. Beginning in Fall 2025, she will pursue a B.S. in Environmental Toxicology with a minor in Soil Science at UC Davis. She currently works part-time as an urban farmer with Seeds of Hope, serving several Los Angeles communities considered to be food deserts, while dedicating the rest of her time to soil remediation efforts through her project Semillas for Safe Soil and her work with SoilWise.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to learn Neuroscience, where and how should they start?
For anyone who wants to learn more about bioremediation, I recommend starting with Earth Repair by Leila Darwish. It’s approachable and rooted in grassroots practice. I also encourage people to learn about the pollution in their own neighborhoods. Today, especially in cities, contamination often comes in overlapping and compounded ways. A great starting point is to get involved locally—whether that’s testing your soil, attending a town hall, or supporting environmental justice groups in your area. Before I ever got involved with remediation work, I was working as an urban farmer, helping install and maintain edible landscapes. This outdoor work became a gateway to more niche outdoor work like remediation.
Is there any advice you would give young girls about going into your line of work?
Now more than ever, the world needs toxicologists. We live in a polluted world, and for better or worse, the demand for this work will always exist. While I wish the role of a toxicologist weren’t necessary, the reality is that we live in an imperfect world where regulations often fall short, and often marginalized communities are the ones left to face the consequences.
The job isn’t always easy—remediation landscaping in particular can be messy, hands-on work. Some days our crew is fully suited in HAZMAT gear, sweating under the sun as we collect soil samples. But one of my favorite parts of the job is how there’s so many different ways to “clean up.” From phytoremediation with plants, to bioremediation with microbes, to mycoremediation with mushrooms, the solutions are multi-layered and still undergoing a huge renaissance in terms of exploring what’s possible. With so many methods to explore, it’s hard to ever be bored and there’s still ample opportunity to pioneer more science in this field.
Entering toxicology work brings a heightened awareness of the systems we rely on every day. Water, soil, building materials, clothing—all of these and more still need stronger standards. As a toxicologist, you can be the person demanding those changes and helping make them real.
How did you know you wanted to go into your line of work?
My journey began when I learned about lead-contaminated soils in East LA caused by the Exide battery plant in my first soil science class. At the time, the Los Angeles Times described it as California’s largest environmental cleanup to date, with lead levels ranging from 100 ppm to 5,000 ppm. Yet neither my family—who lives in East LA—nor I had ever heard about it. After testing my family’s soil and finding elevated lead, I was shocked by how little recognition the issue had outside of a few niche groups.
That experience inspired me to launch Semillas for Safe Soil, a door-to-door initiative that distributed phytoremediation seeds and educated neighbors about the Exide crisis and available resources. Through this work, I dove headfirst into learning about remediation—touring the Natural History Museum where Prospering Backyards studies zeolite’s ability to sequester lead, joining East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (one of the grassroots groups instrumental in shutting down Exide), volunteering with community science efforts to test soil across East LA and near Ecobat Resources (formerly Quemetco) in the City of Industry, and attending last-minute town halls hosted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). I just kept showing up, asking questions, and learning as much as I could.
This work eventually led me to collaborate with SoilWise, an ecological landscaping business, as an educator and remediation specialist addressing contaminated soils in the Palisades, Pasadena, and Altadena after the January 2025 fires. Alongside Lynn Fang, M.A.—a community soil scientist, microbiologist, and founder of SoilWise—we supported residents through soil sampling, connecting them with free testing resources, consulting, analyzing results, and designing and implementing remediation landscaping. Since then, we’ve broadened our network by collaborating with nonprofits, coalitions, mentors, and educators who share our commitment to environmental justice and soil health. The SoilWise team itself has also grown, expanding our capacity to serve communities while learning from one another. Post-wildfire remediation presents a wide range of contaminants, and this experience pushed me once again to dive headfirst into the work—researching, seeking out those already doing it, and doing my best to be a reliable resource with good information for my community.
What other jobs can you have with your degree?
With a degree in Environmental Toxicology and Soil Science, I could pursue careers such as: [1] Forensic technician (analyzing environmental samples for evidence),[2] Superfund or hazardous waste site manager, [3] Environmental consultant (soil, water, or air quality), [4] Public health scientist, [5] Agricultural extension specialist, [6] Environmental policy analyst, [7] Research scientist in academia or government agencies like EPA or USGS, etc.
What are possible next steps in your career?
I want to graduate from UC Davis and continue advancing community science by making soil testing more accessible for marginalized communities and creating more DIY remediation training, so that people can take an active role in healing their own soils. Looking further ahead, my bigger goals also include managing a Superfund site and working to change state and federal protocols so that remediation practices are more holistic and ecologically centered.
If you could do it all over again, would you still go into this field?
Absolutely. When you find a problem this pervasive and see so few people working on solutions, you feel a sense of responsibility. In many ways, this purpose chose me, and I chose it back.
What is the biggest misconception about what you do?
People often think remediation is black and white—a problem followed by a solution. In reality, it’s full of nuance. Many of my answers begin with “It depends…” because factors like property topography, soil type, contaminant characteristics, and treatment methods create unique scenarios that require tailored approaches. While natural remediation holds incredible promise, it often takes time—sometimes even generations—to undo compounded pollution. It’s rarely an overnight success story; instead, it’s a long, ongoing healing process. Coming to terms with this reality has been an incredibly humbling part of my journey.
Favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about this job is that it’s so multidisciplinary. Bioremediation draws from chemistry, microbiology, geology, biology, and even physics. It’s a renaissance field. If my interest wanes in one area, I can dive into another that’s equally relevant…which is very useful for someone who finds many things interesting and tends to pick up several projects at a time.
What is the salary range for this field of work?
Salaries vary widely depending on whether you work in government, industry, nonprofits, or academia. Entry-level jobs in environmental toxicology or soil science often start around $50,000–$60,000, while mid-career toxicologists or consultants can earn $70,000–$90,000. Senior toxicologists, managers, or specialized consultants can make $100,000+.
How many years of school does it take to become a ____?
At the undergraduate level, earning a B.A. or B.S. typically takes about four years. Many environmental toxicologists also pursue graduate school—a Master’s (2–3 years) or a Ph.D. (5–6 years)—if they want to lead research, teach at universities, or work in specialized regulatory roles. For me, though, getting started meant aligning myself with organizations and scientists already doing the work and being trained in community science. I find it’s not very common to gain hands-on STEM experience before entering academia, but in the landscaping world it happens often. Remediation felt like a natural next step into more science-backed landscaping.
Tell us about your educational background.
I earned an Associate’s in Agricultural Plant Science at Pasadena City College and OSHA certification in Toxic Hazardous Waste in 2025. This fall, I’ll be transferring to UC Davis to pursue a BS in Environmental Toxicology with a minor in Soil Science.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in __?
I was drawn to toxicology because it focuses on the chemistry and fate of contaminants in soil, water, and even within the human body. UC Davis is one of the only universities in the U.S. offering Environmental Toxicology as a Bachelor’s program, which makes it a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation before graduate school.
Who was your role model growing up?
My mother was my biggest role model. She was resourceful, independent, and a fearless DIYer. She immigrated to the U.S. at 28, during the Salvadoran Civil War, with her parents and two young daughters, no English, and no clear roadmap—but she figured it out and built a future for us. My mom has also always been very politically informed, and I think that translated to me as well, especially when it comes to environmental and social justice issues. Knowing how far she has come continues to motivate me every day. I’m proud when people say we are alike.
What advice would you pass along to our Latinas that are looking to pursue a STEM degree?
If you want to be here, there’s a place for you. I didn’t always excel in science—physics in particular was a struggle. In college, I even withdrew from my physics 001A class twice before I was ready to push through and finally pass. The road isn’t always linear, and setbacks are normal. But if your goal is to make the world better, let that be your North Star. Keep going.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/genesis-sandoval-666b4b168
Internships:
● Prospering Backyards (community science opportunities, volunteer basis)
● Pasadena City College Community Based Learning Initiative (student research with local partners)
● Communities for a Better Environment (internships)
● Center for Applied & Ecological Remediation (classes and workshops)
What advice do you have for someone who wants to learn Neuroscience, where and how should they start?
For anyone who wants to learn more about bioremediation, I recommend starting with Earth Repair by Leila Darwish. It’s approachable and rooted in grassroots practice. I also encourage people to learn about the pollution in their own neighborhoods. Today, especially in cities, contamination often comes in overlapping and compounded ways. A great starting point is to get involved locally—whether that’s testing your soil, attending a town hall, or supporting environmental justice groups in your area. Before I ever got involved with remediation work, I was working as an urban farmer, helping install and maintain edible landscapes. This outdoor work became a gateway to more niche outdoor work like remediation.
Is there any advice you would give young girls about going into your line of work?
Now more than ever, the world needs toxicologists. We live in a polluted world, and for better or worse, the demand for this work will always exist. While I wish the role of a toxicologist weren’t necessary, the reality is that we live in an imperfect world where regulations often fall short, and often marginalized communities are the ones left to face the consequences.
The job isn’t always easy—remediation landscaping in particular can be messy, hands-on work. Some days our crew is fully suited in HAZMAT gear, sweating under the sun as we collect soil samples. But one of my favorite parts of the job is how there’s so many different ways to “clean up.” From phytoremediation with plants, to bioremediation with microbes, to mycoremediation with mushrooms, the solutions are multi-layered and still undergoing a huge renaissance in terms of exploring what’s possible. With so many methods to explore, it’s hard to ever be bored and there’s still ample opportunity to pioneer more science in this field.
Entering toxicology work brings a heightened awareness of the systems we rely on every day. Water, soil, building materials, clothing—all of these and more still need stronger standards. As a toxicologist, you can be the person demanding those changes and helping make them real.
How did you know you wanted to go into your line of work?
My journey began when I learned about lead-contaminated soils in East LA caused by the Exide battery plant in my first soil science class. At the time, the Los Angeles Times described it as California’s largest environmental cleanup to date, with lead levels ranging from 100 ppm to 5,000 ppm. Yet neither my family—who lives in East LA—nor I had ever heard about it. After testing my family’s soil and finding elevated lead, I was shocked by how little recognition the issue had outside of a few niche groups.
That experience inspired me to launch Semillas for Safe Soil, a door-to-door initiative that distributed phytoremediation seeds and educated neighbors about the Exide crisis and available resources. Through this work, I dove headfirst into learning about remediation—touring the Natural History Museum where Prospering Backyards studies zeolite’s ability to sequester lead, joining East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (one of the grassroots groups instrumental in shutting down Exide), volunteering with community science efforts to test soil across East LA and near Ecobat Resources (formerly Quemetco) in the City of Industry, and attending last-minute town halls hosted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). I just kept showing up, asking questions, and learning as much as I could.
This work eventually led me to collaborate with SoilWise, an ecological landscaping business, as an educator and remediation specialist addressing contaminated soils in the Palisades, Pasadena, and Altadena after the January 2025 fires. Alongside Lynn Fang, M.A.—a community soil scientist, microbiologist, and founder of SoilWise—we supported residents through soil sampling, connecting them with free testing resources, consulting, analyzing results, and designing and implementing remediation landscaping. Since then, we’ve broadened our network by collaborating with nonprofits, coalitions, mentors, and educators who share our commitment to environmental justice and soil health. The SoilWise team itself has also grown, expanding our capacity to serve communities while learning from one another. Post-wildfire remediation presents a wide range of contaminants, and this experience pushed me once again to dive headfirst into the work—researching, seeking out those already doing it, and doing my best to be a reliable resource with good information for my community.
What other jobs can you have with your degree?
With a degree in Environmental Toxicology and Soil Science, I could pursue careers such as: [1] Forensic technician (analyzing environmental samples for evidence),[2] Superfund or hazardous waste site manager, [3] Environmental consultant (soil, water, or air quality), [4] Public health scientist, [5] Agricultural extension specialist, [6] Environmental policy analyst, [7] Research scientist in academia or government agencies like EPA or USGS, etc.
What are possible next steps in your career?
I want to graduate from UC Davis and continue advancing community science by making soil testing more accessible for marginalized communities and creating more DIY remediation training, so that people can take an active role in healing their own soils. Looking further ahead, my bigger goals also include managing a Superfund site and working to change state and federal protocols so that remediation practices are more holistic and ecologically centered.
If you could do it all over again, would you still go into this field?
Absolutely. When you find a problem this pervasive and see so few people working on solutions, you feel a sense of responsibility. In many ways, this purpose chose me, and I chose it back.
What is the biggest misconception about what you do?
People often think remediation is black and white—a problem followed by a solution. In reality, it’s full of nuance. Many of my answers begin with “It depends…” because factors like property topography, soil type, contaminant characteristics, and treatment methods create unique scenarios that require tailored approaches. While natural remediation holds incredible promise, it often takes time—sometimes even generations—to undo compounded pollution. It’s rarely an overnight success story; instead, it’s a long, ongoing healing process. Coming to terms with this reality has been an incredibly humbling part of my journey.
Favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about this job is that it’s so multidisciplinary. Bioremediation draws from chemistry, microbiology, geology, biology, and even physics. It’s a renaissance field. If my interest wanes in one area, I can dive into another that’s equally relevant…which is very useful for someone who finds many things interesting and tends to pick up several projects at a time.
What is the salary range for this field of work?
Salaries vary widely depending on whether you work in government, industry, nonprofits, or academia. Entry-level jobs in environmental toxicology or soil science often start around $50,000–$60,000, while mid-career toxicologists or consultants can earn $70,000–$90,000. Senior toxicologists, managers, or specialized consultants can make $100,000+.
How many years of school does it take to become a ____?
At the undergraduate level, earning a B.A. or B.S. typically takes about four years. Many environmental toxicologists also pursue graduate school—a Master’s (2–3 years) or a Ph.D. (5–6 years)—if they want to lead research, teach at universities, or work in specialized regulatory roles. For me, though, getting started meant aligning myself with organizations and scientists already doing the work and being trained in community science. I find it’s not very common to gain hands-on STEM experience before entering academia, but in the landscaping world it happens often. Remediation felt like a natural next step into more science-backed landscaping.
Tell us about your educational background.
I earned an Associate’s in Agricultural Plant Science at Pasadena City College and OSHA certification in Toxic Hazardous Waste in 2025. This fall, I’ll be transferring to UC Davis to pursue a BS in Environmental Toxicology with a minor in Soil Science.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in __?
I was drawn to toxicology because it focuses on the chemistry and fate of contaminants in soil, water, and even within the human body. UC Davis is one of the only universities in the U.S. offering Environmental Toxicology as a Bachelor’s program, which makes it a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation before graduate school.
Who was your role model growing up?
My mother was my biggest role model. She was resourceful, independent, and a fearless DIYer. She immigrated to the U.S. at 28, during the Salvadoran Civil War, with her parents and two young daughters, no English, and no clear roadmap—but she figured it out and built a future for us. My mom has also always been very politically informed, and I think that translated to me as well, especially when it comes to environmental and social justice issues. Knowing how far she has come continues to motivate me every day. I’m proud when people say we are alike.
What advice would you pass along to our Latinas that are looking to pursue a STEM degree?
If you want to be here, there’s a place for you. I didn’t always excel in science—physics in particular was a struggle. In college, I even withdrew from my physics 001A class twice before I was ready to push through and finally pass. The road isn’t always linear, and setbacks are normal. But if your goal is to make the world better, let that be your North Star. Keep going.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/genesis-sandoval-666b4b168
Internships:
● Prospering Backyards (community science opportunities, volunteer basis)
● Pasadena City College Community Based Learning Initiative (student research with local partners)
● Communities for a Better Environment (internships)
● Center for Applied & Ecological Remediation (classes and workshops)
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