GroTech @ Berkeley came to its existence by a group of college undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley. As our slogan “Grow and Innovate” suggests, GroTech @ Berkeley was formed as a result of a shared passion among seven students for sustainable design and agricultural innovation. Founded in August 2019, the organization serves as a platform for research-driven students to engage in innovative competitions, design plant growth chambers, take on innovative agricultural projects, ideate new agricultural methods, and collaborate with like-minded students for a common goal: the future of our food. Our organization has no boundaries, even going beyond Earth to come up with innovative methods for extraterrestrial plant growth.
Second Year - Bioengineering - He/Him/His
- 15 years of gardening
- Former Science Olympiad Team Captain
- UC Berkeley Oxford Greenhouse Assistant
Fun Fact: First plant I owned: Aloe Vera!
ANTHONY TAN
CO-PRESIDENT & GROWING BEYOND EARTH PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Second Year - Data Science, Cognitive Science - He/Him/His
- 4 years of coding experience
- Former Captain of FTC Team 9784
Fun Fact: I make YouTube videos!
MARLON FU
CO-PRESIDENT
Second Year - Computer Science - He/Him/His
- Self-taught 3D designer: Autodesk Inventor/Fusion 360,
SketchUp
- 3 years of 3D printing and CNC routing
- Former Hardware Lead of FTC 9784 DRY ICE
Fun Fact: Just started to learn to skateboard
LEONARD WEI
VP OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS & GROWING BEYOND EARTH PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Second Year - Applied Math - He/Him/His
- Currently involved in several business clubs on campus
- Science Bowl competitor for two years
Fun Fact: My favorite plant is a baobab!
KEVIN LU
VP OF FINANCES
Second Year - Computer Science - She/Her/Hers
- Self-taught web developer and founder of Web Developers of
Berkeley
- Co-founded three startups/non-profits
- UI/UX Designer at Resource19
Fun Fact: I have a freelance photography venture!
VICKY LI
VP OF WEB DEVELOPMENT
Second Year - EECS - He/Him/His
- Web Development at Berkeley Math Tournament
- Product Development with Microscope
- National Genes in Space Experiment Winner
Fun Fact: I met an astronaut!
YUJIE WANG
GROWING BEYOND EARTH PROJECT TEAM LEAD
Second Year - Nutritional Science and Toxicology - He/Him/His
- Avid Aquaponic Gardener
- Developing Viticulturist
Fun Fact: I have an immense interest in toxicological issues
found in modern agriculture.
CARTER SIMS
ENERGY-EFFICIENT HYDROPONICS PROJECT TEAM LEAD
Second Year - Computer Science, Data Science - He/Him/His
- Former Captain of Vulcan Robotics
- Eagle Scout
- Volunteer at Berkeley Student Farms
- Fun Fact: I am on the Cal Lightweight Rowing Team
JASON WANG
PEST COUNTER APP PROJETC TEAM LEAD
Second Year - MCB/IB, Astrobiology - He/Him/His
- PI of ISS experiment: The Effects of Microgravity on
Chenopodium
- Former founding member and Captain of FRC team 6960
- Basic Life Support certified and First Aid/CPR/AED
instructor
I run an Instagram meme page that has 84k+ followers!
JAMES ROHDE
GROWING BEYOND EARTH PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Second Year - Mechanical Engineering - He/Him/His
- Youth Event Lead and Educational Associate, Lawrence Hall
of Science
- Solar Powered Car Club (CalSol) Wheels and Hubs Team
Designer
- LA County Science Fair 2019 Biomedical Design Finalist
Fun Fact: I play club Ultimate Frisbee!
BEN KARNI
ENERGY-EFFICIENT HYDROPONICS PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Second Year - Computer Science - She/Her/Hers
- Former Robotics Team Software Lead
- Front End Software
- 5 years of coding
Fun Fact: Bread Enthusiast :)
JENNESSA MA
PEST COUNTER APP PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Fourth Year - Mechanical Engineering - She/Her/Hers
- ASME Andrew Kenneth Roe Scholar
- Patent-Pending innovator in sustainable packaging solutions
- Committed to making a difference through innovation and design
Fun Fact: I used to do archery as a sport!
ASENA YILDIZ
ENERGY-EFFICIENT HYDROPONICS PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
Third Year - EECS, Business Administration - He/Him/His
- Worked for a sustainability startup
- Won the MedHacks JHU Hackathon in 2020
Fun Fact: once grew a pineapple in New Jersey
MATTHEW HALLAC
GROWING BEYOND EARTH PROJECT TEAM MEMBER
KEVIN GIBSON WEINBERGER
ENERGY-EFFICIENT HYDROPONICS PROJECT TEAM MEMBER