Eric Vargas

Eric Vargas is an environmental science & integrative biology researcher specializing in epigenetics, phytopharmacology, nutrition, and human & plant biology.

He’s especially interested in the environmental influences that can induce an epigenetic regulation response from factors like the microbiome, diet, stress, and other various types of chemical exposures. Currently, Eric serves as an assistant to the site manager of SoyFACE as a maintenance technician at the SoyFACE site located on the UIUC campus. He’s also the current president of Grow2Give, a YMCA affiliated registered student organization (RSO). He is also a recent recipient of a Bachelor's degree in natural resources and environmental sciences from UIUC and is currently enrolled as a graduate student in the masters program in the school of integrative biology at UIUC.  

Eric believes that everyone deserves the chance to eat a healthy meal from a local food source by creating the green spaces needed to share freshly grown produce to the UIUC community through Grow2Give. When Eric is not at the SoyFACE site he enjoys other ways of being artistic. He makes art through the use of various types of mediums such as wrapping crystals with different types of wire designs and he creates paintings with watercolors or acrylic paint. His favorite activity is cooking, especially when it's a meal that can be shared with other people.