About Us

        Rooted is a student-led organization dedicated to preserving the Baylands through sustainable urban growth, environmental research, and community outreach. As the Bay Area's population continues to grow, unchecked urban development  threatens one of California's most critical ecosystems.

        Our most recent research initiative, California Baylands Under Pressure: Urbanization’s Impact on Ecological Development and Community Health, highlights the devastating effects of urban growth. In our research, we examined how urban development has destroyed about 90% of the Bay's wetlands thereby reducing biodiversity, weakening flood protections, and increasing health risks for surrounding communities.

        As student-athletes, from cross country to basketball to track, we have spent countless hours outdoors. Our connection to these Baylands is deeply personal as these open spaces have allowed us to do more than just train but also to recover, reflect and reset. For us, preserving these wetlands isn't just about an environmental concern–it is about protecting the spaces where we live, move and thrive.

        At Rooted, we are combining data-driven research with youth-led advocacy to call for smarter, more sustainable development that protects biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience, and prioritizes community health.

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Our Team

Srivathsan Ramanujam— Founder

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Shyamsundar Koneti— Lead Researcher & Lead Advocate

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Ezana Makonnen— Lead Data Analyst

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Carlos Vaszques— Media Secretary

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Ryan Levine— Marketing Director

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