Cristina M Murillo-Barrick

In June of 2023, Cristina Murillo-Barrick (she / ella) became the very first UCCE BIPOC Community Development Advisor, serving the Bay Area.

Her career has centered on partnering with research institutions and higher education entities to address climate change adaptation, food systems and environmental justice; within her work, she aims to increase actions aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by actively addressing racial and social injustices.

In her previous role at UCCE (2021- 2023), as an Agricultural Land Acquisitions Academic Coordinator, she worked with the California Department of Conservation (DOC) supporting the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program (SALC), she successfully provided technical assistance for $500,000 planning grants aimed at combating climate change by encouraging smart growth and protecting productive farmland. She also collaborated with California agencies, including the DOC and the Strategic Growth Council to offer insights on how to increase access to underserved regions.

Prior to joining UC ANR Murillo-Barrick worked as an environmental science educator in National Parks in the United States and protected areas in Central America. Murillo-Barrick has worked in areas of education, capacity building and ecotourism guide training, continuously centering on historically marginalized communities within California and abroad.

Her extension experience include, working as part of a National Science Foundation funded multidisciplinary research project that examined the effects of groundwater, drought and climate change.

She earned an M.A. in Geography, M.S. in Community Development, a B.A. in International Relations, and B.A. in Spanish, all from UC Davis. She is fluent in Spanish and trained in both translation and interpretation.