Raines Lucas came to UW–Madison to study mathematics and economics, but he was so inspired by geographers Holly Gibbs and Tyler Lark's research on cropland expansion that he joined Gibbs' land use lab as an undergraduate research assistant during his sophomore year. 

Now he's using his statistics background and ecological mindset to help identify the types of property most likely to be converted into cropland. He is also part of Morgan Edwards' Climate Action Lab. 

Oh, and when not contributing to cutting-edge climate research or completing his degree, Lucas is playing guitar with the Minneapolis-based shoegaze band, she's green, which is currently on tour across the southeastern United States. 

Read more about Raines Lucas in the latest issue of The Commons from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.