Hearts, hands, and smiles wide as SOS welcome their latest office intern, Marina Tornorsam Vance.
Marina joins SOS with the aim and role to support technical data entry and reporting, field research surveys, and grant writing. Since starting in August, Marina has worked with field operations by working with P’ Toto truck picks up and delivering to the Pakistani refugee community in Pracha Uthit. In addition to helping prep gang som and fried chicken with the Food Rescue Kitchen, Marina contributes her time in the office by helping clean and analyze data, reviewing community reports, and exploring grant opportunities.
Inspired by the individuals in non-profit work, Marina recognizes the commitment, passion, and love that an amazing organization like SOS needs to succeed and grow. Her background in grant writing, marketing, and project development began while working with non-profit organizations in California. Marina’s involvement and interests ranged from hospice and mental health care to citizen science in restoration and water quality. SOS’s mission towards rescuing food surplus, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and providing nutritious meals to vulnerable communities aligns with her interests in environmental justice and food equity for local communities and public health.
Splitting her time with SOS, Marina currently studies at Mahidol University for a Master’s of Science in Environmental Biology. Her thesis focuses on the topic of bioremediation - the use of a bacterial amendment to reduce the number of heavy metals in rice. Her work in the MUSC Root Lab has led her to dive into the science and research aspect of improving food quality and addressing issues of food insecurity from the agricultural perspective.
When she is not working in the lab, greenhouse, or at FREC (ThaiSOS HQ), Marina may be found practicing yoga, swimming in the ocean, or exploring all the food markets in Bangkok. She will also most often be found eating spicy somtum at any time of day.
Comments