Sanya was raised in San Antonio, Texas where she received a B.S. in Environmental Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Throughout her academic career, she worked as a research assistant for a sustainability study funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assess plant density and organic carbon mass in soil found on campus. After graduation, she pursued an environmental field work opportunity with Conservation Legacy working for the Bureau of Land Management in Farmington, New Mexico as part of an ecological monitoring crew for 6 months. Inspired by the potential to work in various federal land agencies and her positive experience working with Conservation Legacy, Sanya found an opportunity to work for National Park Service in her hometown of San Antonio for the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. She hopes to gain interpretation experience along with learning more about natural resource management. Aside from her interest in the environmental field, Sanya has become an avid cook and enjoys learning about international gastronomy and related cultures. Travelling is a way for her to fulfill her culinary escapades and a way to connect with others around the world. At home, she loves spending time with her fur baby Nina and spoiling her in every possible way.