RCC Staff
Robert K. Musil, Ph.D., M.P.H., President and CEO
Bob Musil joined and reenvisioned the Rachel Carson Council (RCC) as CEO in 2014 and is the former long-time Executive Director and CEO of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Physicians for Social Responsibility. He is the author of three environmental books including the prize-winning Rachel Carson and Her Sisters: Extraordinary Women Who Have Shaped America’s Environment. Musil is a long-time, respected advocate on Capitol Hill and has led environmental and environmental health campaigns nationally and internationally on climate and clean energy, toxic chemicals, clean air and water, factory farming, and wood pellet production. Musil is also a leader in national peace campaigns on nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, the military budget and the arms trade. He is Treasurer and Past President of the Board of the Council for a Livable World and Chairman of the Board of Beyond Nuclear.
Margaret Cantrell – RCC Senior Advisor and Counsel
Margaret Cantrell is Senior Advisor and Counsel at the Rachel Carson Council (RCC). Prior to joining the RCC, Margaret spent over a decade in public service, as a senior advisor to policymakers at the federal and state level.
She served as Counsel and Policy Advisor to then U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, where she played a key staff-level advisory role assisting in passage of all major legislation before Congress, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Energy Independence and Security Act, among others.
Prior to that, Margaret spent five years in the Obama Administration as a Senior Legislative Officer and Counselor in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Labor. In that role she served as a key advisor to departmental leaders on congressional oversight and strategy including drafting testimony, coordinating briefings, and preparing senior officials to testify before the House and Senate.
Most recently, she worked for California State Senator Josh Becker, a recognized leader in California’s efforts to combat climate change and current Chair of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.
Margaret began her career as a litigation associate at Jones Day law firm and later joined the Federal Law and Policy Group at DLA Piper as an associate attorney. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School and graduated with a B.A. from Duke University. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Georgia.
Joy Reeves — Director of Policy and Strategic Development
Joy Reeves, Director of Policy and Strategic Development, holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, as well as her undergraduate degree as a Udall scholar at Duke in Environmental Science & Policy with a minor in Visual Media Studies. Passionate about climate advocacy and scientific communication, she is the author of Growing Up in the Grassroots: Finding Unity in Climate Activism Across Generations (2020) and the winner of the 2024 Storyfest award from Planet Forward for multimedia journalism. Joy was previously an RCC Stanback Fellow and RCC Presidential Fellow and has held internships at the League of Conservation Voters, the Student Conservation Association, and the Wright Lab at Duke University, where she conducted research on the effects of saltwater intrusion and sea level rise on the coast of North Carolina.
Diego Tovar — Director of Campus and Civic Engagement
Diego Tovar, Director of Campus and Civic Engagement, holds his master’s in Global Environmental Policy from American University and an undergraduate degree as a Udall Scholar in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability with a minor in Political Communication from Colorado State University. Diego has worked for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Navajo Nation Washington Office focusing on climate justice and climate adaptation. His passion for climate advocacy and the power of storytelling has also led him to become a science fiction writer of six books related to environmentalism, the effects of climate change, and equity. Originally from Austin, Texas, outside of work you can find Diego hiking, playing basketball, or writing more books.
Sydney O’Shaughnessy — Director of Communications
Sydney O’Shaughnessy is the Director of Communications at the Rachel Carson Council. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Strategic Communication from The George Washington University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Environmental Science from Ithaca College.
She brings a decade of experience in environmental communications across the nonprofit, federal, and private sectors. Before joining RCC, she managed communications for the Earth and Life Studies Division at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She has also supported communications efforts for the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under President Biden.
In addition to her work at RCC, Sydney teaches speechwriting and public speaking at Shepherd University, where she also serves as faculty advisor to the student newspaper.
Passionate about the power of strategic communications to inspire positive change, Sydney helps organizations articulate their purpose, build trust, and drive impact. Her expertise spans content marketing, digital media, media relations, and project management.
Ross A. Feldner — Publications, Web Consultant and Photo Archive
Ross Feldner is the lead, with Bob Musil, of the RCC Bird Watch and Wonder Program. Ross is a life-long birder and photographer who is the editor of the Friends of Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge newsletter. Ross also serves on the Friends of Patuxent Board of Directors and as a guide at the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge, a frequent birding spot for Rachel Carson who first learned about the health effects of DDT at the laboratory there. He is also the owner/art director of New Age Graphics, a full-service graphic design firm in Wheaton, MD.
RCC Senior Correspondent — Stephen Shick
Stephen Shick is the author of Be the Change and Consider the Lilies (Skinner Books). Shick has taught at the Harvard Divinity School and is the former head of the SANE Education Fund, the Unitarian Universalist Peace Committee, and Consider the Alternatives radio.
RCC Senior Fellow — Claudia Steiner
Claudia Steiner is a science writer currently pursuing a master of Science Communication at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). She is a Fellow at UCSC’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience and a 2025 Outdoor Writers Association of America Bodie McDowell Scholar.
Prior to her graduate program, Claudia served as the Director of Communications at the Rachel Carson Council, where she spent three years building her professional writing, communications, and leadership. She is excited to apply that experience to a long career invoking Carson’s awe-inspiration for the natural world and our duty to protect it and its inhabitants. As an RCC Senior Fellowship, Claudia will be able to showcase the real-time evolution of her voice as an environmental writer as she learns from science journalism experts, her peers, and California’s many natural wonders — including her favorite, the elusive banana slug.
RCC Stanback Fellows 2025
RCC Stanback Fellow – Abena Sekum Appiah-Ofori
Abena Appiah-Ofori is a second-year graduate student at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. A proud global citizen originally from Ghana, she has spent most of her formative years in Virginia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Global Development and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Before starting her graduate studies, Abena took a gap year on a State Department fellowship in Germany. This experience deepened her appreciation for cities and communities that invest in sustainable infrastructure to create systems and facilities that make environmentally friendly behaviors more accessible and achievable. This past school year, she has focused her research and engagement on climate resilience and financial well-being within the Appalachian region. As an RCC Fellow, she hopes to combine her interests in policy, storytelling, and grassroots advocacy to grow her ability to support vulnerable communities. When time allows, she enjoys practicing yoga, taking sunny garden walks, or catching up on the latest popular show.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Lawrence Wu
Lawrence Wu is a junior at Duke University, majoring in History and Environmental Science & Policy with a certificate in Energy & Environment. With a strong interest in environmental regulations, he is a Climate Scholar at the Nicholas School, where he researches how legal frameworks and emissions trading systems shape responses to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. At Duke, Lawrence currently serves as a Research Assistant at the Duke Center for Firearms Law and an executive board member of Duke Mock Trial. He has worked on green steel investments for a steel finance group in Belgium and standardized sustainability-related terminology as an Operations Intern at Regen Network. He is excited to continue exploring the intersection of law, markets, and sustainability through hands-on research and advocacy. In his free time, Lawrence enjoys skiing, cooking, and watching Formula 1.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Jeremy Sabol
Jeremy Sabol is a second-year graduate student at Duke University, pursuing a Master of Environmental Management with concentrations in Environmental Economics and Policy and Coastal and Marine Systems. Proudly born and raised in New Jersey for most of his life, his family later moved to Florida, where he subsequently attended the University of Florida and earned a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Economics. Jeremy’s passion for environmental stewardship was ignited during a study abroad program in Australia, leading him to add a minor in Sustainability Studies and explore a career in the environmental field. He seeks to leverage his interdisciplinary background in psychology and economics to promote sustainable behavior and policies by helping individuals understand the economic, ecological, and social benefits of environmental action. While he has a personal connection to coastal environments – having lived near the coast for 18 years – Jeremy is committed to driving meaningful change across a range of issues. In his free time, he enjoys visiting historical and natural sites, playing games with friends, and rooting for the New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils, and Florida Gators.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Mary Mulualem
Mary Mulualem is a senior at Duke Kunshan University majoring in Global Cultural Studies and World Literature. She is currently the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of DKU’s student newspaper The LilyPad, where she oversees coverage of Duke’s China campus as well as arts and culture themed student submissions. She covers DKU as a staff writer for the Duke Chronicle’s ‘Kunshan Report’. She is also an Editorial Assistant at The Shanghai Literary Review, where she works with an international masthead to curate and copy edit the magazine’s bi-annual editions. Born in Connecticut, she is half Ethiopian and grew up in Ethiopia, Jordan and Germany because of her family’s work as diplomats, which inspired her interest in cross-cultural communication and global policy. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at DKU’s Global Health Research Center studying the effectiveness of the 2022 UN Conference on Biodiversity. She has also volunteered as a social worker at Southington Community Services in Connecticut, as an English teacher for local children in Kunshan and at Yuefeng Dao organic farm. In her free time she enjoys cycling, travelling, movie theaters and birding. During her time at the Rachel Carson Council she aims to gain further research and journalism experience with a focus on sustainability and bird-related policies and practices.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Lydia Farr
Lydia Farr is a junior at Duke University pursuing a B.S. in Economics, with a minor in Spanish, and a certificate in Energy & the Environment. After developing an interest in environmental issues in high school and spreading awareness on climate change with her high school’s environmental club, Lydia became interested in energy and climate policy during her courses in the Global Energy cluster of Duke’s FOCUS program. She is a member of the Duke Energy and Climate Club, and is an Undergraduate Representative for the Working Group on the Environment in Latin America, a graduate student group through the Nicholas School of the Environment. Lydia is involved on campus as a student-athlete on the Duke Dancing Devils team, and is working to connect her team to local community service opportunities as a national fellow through The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship. At RCC, Lydia hopes to gain experience with the inner workings of political advocacy, develop journalism skills, and learn more about navigating the evolving political landscape surrounding climate action.
RCC Stanback Presidential Fellow – MacEva Wright
MacEva Wright is a second-year graduate student at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. There, she is working towards earning a Master of Environmental Management degree with an emphasis on Coastal and Marine Systems and Environmental Justice. Having spent her early childhood in Brooklyn, NY, MacEva and her family relocated to Atlanta, GA, where she spent most of her formative years. After earning her B.S. in Biology from the University of North Georgia in December of 2022, MacEva went on to serve as a Rare Species Research Assistant for Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) via the National Park Service and the Latino Heritage Internship Program. It was through this experience that her passion for strengthening environmental stewardship, advocacy, and scientific literacy outside of the scientific community blossomed. As a continuation of these passions, MacEva has fully immersed herself in courses like Ocean Law and Policy and the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic to better understand the relationships between science, policy, and justice. By serving as an RCC Fellow, she hopes to grow in her ability to share stories that connect science, justice, and community. When time allows, she enjoys reading, crafting, and giggling with anyone who loves a good laugh.
RCC Stanback Presidential Fellow – Ewan Dignon
Ewan Dignon is an undergraduate at Duke University studying Public Policy (B.A.) and Economics (B.A.) with a minor in Environmental Sciences and Policy. Born in San Francisco, he grew up along the Connecticut shoreline. Before going to Duke, Ewan worked in local and congressional political campaigns, fostering a passion for advocacy and policy work. At Duke, he worked on a research team studying the formation of ghost forests along the North Carolina coast, examining the economic cause-and-effect relationship between development and environmental change. In the future, he hopes to work in economic policy analysis and advocacy. In Ewan’s spare time, he enjoys hiking, watching soccer, and reading in a hammock.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Ludlow Morris
Ludlow Morris is a junior at Duke University, double majoring in Environmental Science and Policy and Public Policy, with a minor in Italian Studies. Before attending Duke, he spent time working as a rewilding assistant in Asturias, Spain. Then he advised a UK farm, transforming it from traditional to sustainable agriculture, while maintaining financial viability. He is passionate about researching food systems, the farm bill and regenerative agriculture. He would like to change the interaction between farmers and conservationists. Ludlow enjoys participating in extreme sports (such as Freediving and the Cresta Run), wildlife photography, traveling and playing the bagpipes.
RCC Stanback Fellow- Enkhjin Purevsukh
Enkhjin Purevsukh is a senior and dual-degree student at Duke Kunshan University, majoring in Computation with Design in Social Policy with a concentration in Sustainability. From Govi-Altai, Mongolia, she is interested in climate communication, circular fashion, corporate sustainability, and environmental responsibility. At Duke University, Enji worked as a Student Affairs Sustainability Project Intern, managing communications for campus sustainability programs. At Duke Kunshan, she served as a Resident Assistant, helping organize events that encouraged student engagement.
Enji received the Coach Dream It Real x Coachtopia Scholarship for designing upcycled Mongolian traditional clothing from waste materials. She has professional experience in marketing and project coordination, including roles at Mobicom Corporation and the Global Citizenship Foundation, where she supported virtual education initiatives. She also contributed to The Asia Foundation’s “Let’s Read Mongolia” initiative by reading children’s stories aloud as part of a national campaign to promote early literacy.
In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, earthing, traveling, playing soccer, trying new food and activities as well as exploring parks. At RCC, she aims to hone her skills in policy analysis, environmental communication, and community-based advocacy.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Ava Betanco-Born
Ava Betanco-Born is a sophomore at Duke University pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Policy and Public Policy. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ava has long been inspired by the beauty of the natural world. She is equally driven by the urgency of environmental challenges that she has witnessed first hand such justice and natural disasters. This dichotomy has motivated her to educate herself on and work to mitigate environmental issues – ultimately with the goal of creating meaningful change. Prior to attending Duke, she dedicated her summers to working at a local organic farm, gaining a deeper appreciation for how environmental issues affect everyday life. Ava is particularly interested in the effectiveness of environmental policies in the United States and international environmental agreements and frameworks under the United Nations. During high school, to explore these interests, she conducted an independent research project aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and Conference of the Parties framework. At Duke, she works closely with Duke Climate Coalition’s Internal Actions team, dedicated to pushing Duke University to divest from fossil fuels. She is also an Online Editor for the Duke Undergraduate Law review, and works closely with writers to develop articles aimed at promoting legal discourse. Outside of academics and advocacy, she enjoys getting outside, listening to music, and going to the gym. As an RCC Stanback Fellow, Ava is eager to continue developing her skills and further immerse herself in the intricacies of environmental policy.
RCC Stanback Fellow – Shraddha Sharma
Shraddha Sharma is a Master of Environmental Management candidate at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, specializing in climate strategy and sustainability. With a background in ESG consulting at KPMG India, she has worked on corporate decarbonization, greenhouse gas accounting, and climate risk reporting for Fortune 500 clients. At Duke, Shraddha supports the Office of Climate and Sustainability and serves on the Graduate and Professional Student Government Climate Crisis Committee as a senator, where she contributes to university-wide climate resilience planning. Her interests lie in environmental justice, carbon accountability, and communicating complex climate issues to broader audiences. As a 2025 RCC Fellow, she looks forward to using her research and advocacy skills to support frontline communities and advance bold, equity-driven climate policy.
Rachel Carson National Environment Leadership Fellows 2025-2026
Claire Reisberg – Haverford College
Claire (she/her) is a junior at Haverford College pursuing a major in English with minors in Comparative Literature and Growth and Structure of Cities and a concentration in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights. Her interest in food justice and the environment began when she started working for and leading classes at Haverford’s student-run farm (“Haverfarm”). Claire’s passions for storytelling and environmental justice were combined when she created a comprehensive history of the Haverfarm and agriculture on Haverford’s campus through oral history interviews, long-form articles, a website, and an exhibition in Haverford’s Visual Culture, Arts, and Media Center. Outside of her role as a farm worker and Co-President of the Haverford Garden Club, Claire works as a writing tutor and is involved in various social justice organizations around campus. She loves reading, swimming, hiking, and spending time with her cat, dog, and tortoise.
Makenna Morrison Gary – Rollins College
Originally from a small town outside of Seattle, Makenna is a senior at Rollins College in Florida, double majoring in Biology and Environmental Studies. Her research and advocacy center on conservation biology, environmental toxicology, and justice. As a Collaborative Research Fellow at Rollins, she is conducting a meta-analysis on the movement ecology of anurans (frogs and toads) across North America. Last year in the Dominican Republic, she conducted freshwater turtle health assessments and assisted in using CRISPR to identify hybridization between endemic and invasive species. Back in Florida, she leads a long-term turtle monitoring program and is an undergraduate researcher in the Fokidis Laboratory. Furthermore, Makenna currently collaborates with Florida Fish and Wildlife to investigate the newly invasive Asian swamp eels and monitor mercury levels in freshwater fish. Her experiences interning with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division, writing and editing for The Nature Conservancy, and serving as a fellow with Acquaint have deepened her commitment to conservation, communication, and environmental advocacy.
Sabrina Kianni – Harvard Medical School
Sabrina Kianni is a returning RCC Presidential Fellow with a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University. She is at Harvard Medical School, pursuing an M.S. in Media, Medicine, and Health. She is the Co-Founder and Senior Director of Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, which she helped scale to over 10,000 volunteers across 80+ countries. Under her leadership, Climate Cardinals has translated more than 1.5 million words of climate resources into 100+ languages for organizations including the United Nations, UNICEF, and the Environmental Justice Foundation, while securing over $500,000 in funding from partners like Google, National Geographic, and Ashoka. Sabrina’s interdisciplinary work bridges climate justice, public health, and science communication, with a focus on empowering marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation. She has held several influential positions, including serving as a Global Leader of Fairfax County, a Duke Stanback Fellow at Population Connection, and a research assistant in three Duke School of Medicine labs studying glioblastoma, neuroregeneration, and cultural neuroscience. Through her writing, organizing, and research, she uplifts underrepresented voices and promotes equitable solutions at the intersection of climate and health.
Bella Santos – University of California, Berkeley
Bella Santos (she/her) is a Yale Conservation Scholar and incoming ASUC Eco Senator at UC Berkeley, where she studies Conservation and Resource Studies with a minor in Public Policy. Her work centers on environmental justice, climate education, and policy for community-led transformation. Bella co-leads UC Berkeley’s Fossil Free Research campaign and co-authored Under the Surface, a student-led report exposing fossil fuel influence over academic research. She also helps lead the advancement of a campus-wide Green New Deal, coordinating efforts around fossil fuel dissociation, climate literacy, and clean energy. As part of UC Berkeley Housing and Dining Sustainability, she contributes to building-level energy analysis and supports the campus’s transition to all-electric kitchens. Previously, Bella supported the development of California’s climate justice curriculum through Ten Strands and interned at Greenpeace USA, where she researched labor and environmental abuses in the seafood industry. She is committed to building just and accountable institutions grounded in frontline leadership and student empowerment.
Karina Samuel – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Karina Samuel is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Business and Statistics & Analytics. She has experience leading youth-driven environmental advocacy campaigns, conducting coastal brand audits to hold polluters accountable, and working with local governments to advance plastic reduction policies. At UNC, Karina continues her sustainability work through leadership roles with the Sustainable Business Club and the Environmental Finance Center. Growing up in a fenceline community in Florida impacted by environmental injustice, she is passionate about addressing systemic inequities through innovative, community-based solutions. She is also a Phillips Ambassador, combining her global experiences with a strong commitment to social equity and environmental stewardship.
Victoria Charles – Queens College
Victoria Charles is a senior at Queens College, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Legal Studies. Her passion for environmental justice is grounded in hands-on work across New York City. As a NOAA Community Engaged Intern with New York Sea Grant and a Field Assistant with the Natural Areas Conservancy, she has led environmental education with public school students, surveyed salt marshes along the Long Island Sound, and contributed data to support shoreline restoration and state-level policy. Victoria is especially interested in how community voices and local knowledge shape environmental outcomes. Outside of her work, she enjoys caring for her plants and exploring urban green spaces.
Maiya Roelen – University of Montana
Maiya Roelen (she/her) is a senior honors student at the University of Montana pursuing a major in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Climate Change Studies and dual certificates in Global Leadership and Nonprofit Administration. She is a dedicated climate activist striving to amplify young voices in the environmental movement by centering her efforts on youth service and leadership as an avenue for changemaking. As a Max S. Baucus Climate Scholar, Founder’s Journey Fellow with Youth Advocates for Change, and former intern at The Climate Reality Project, Maiya has experience at the intersection of nonprofit work, public service, and climate change science. She is the founder of Watch Our Step, an online platform dedicated to uplifting youth climate action and connecting young people to environmental leadership opportunities and resources. Maiya has also served as a Youth Action 101 speaker and moderator for the Montana Youth Climate Resiliency series with Families for a Livable Climate. She is committed to ensuring all voices are heard and included in the climate change conversation to secure a just and equitable future for people and the planet.
Colin Street – West Virginia University
Colin Street (He/Him) is a junior at West Virginia University majoring in Political Science, Environmental & Energy Resources Management, and Multidisciplinary Studies (Rural Community Development, Data Science, History). He dove straight into energy transition research, starting his freshman year, by first investigating the applications of the Inflation Reduction Act for historically coal-dependent communities through WVU’s Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic. Later, he developed policy recommendations for publicly funded community solar policy with the Roosevelt Network. During the summer of 2025, Colin will intern at Appalachian Voices’ Solar Finance Fund, where he’ll help Appalachian schools, churches, and libraries integrate solar panels into their facilities and regular programming. In his downtime, Colin can be found taking care of his pet turtle, hammocking with a book, and gardening (mostly strawberries and herbs). Ultimately, as a native West Virginian, Colin’s passionate about using data-backed policy and community engagement to facilitate a just energy transition in America’s rural communities.
Josette Chun – Middlebury College
Josette is a senior at Middlebury College majoring in Environmental Policy. She is rooted in public speaking and storytelling to share environmental narratives. Josette is a Climate Action Fellow at Middlebury and serves on the Environmental Council, where she works on a wide array of campus sustainability initiatives. She is a Board Leader on TEDxMiddlebury and a public speaking coach for Oratory Now, where she aims to create platforms for environmental changemakers. Previously, Josette has worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Peter Welch, developing a project on USDA rural workforce development and addressing energy efficiency. Under a federal judge in the U.S. District Courts of Massachusetts, she has observed litigation around energy and land use. Much of her future aspirations are in environmental & energy litigation and policymaking. Additionally, Josette is interested in sustainable food systems and enjoys volunteering on organic farms. In her free time, Josette enjoys playing tennis, reading, running, and growing her pottery skills.
Khushi Desai – University of Maryland, College Park
Khushi Desai (they/them) is a sophomore studying Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), with a minor in Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy. They are a member of the Honors College, serving as an Honors Ambassador for the program. They are also a part of the UMD Federal Fellows program, where they take specialized coursework on environmental and energy policy and will complete an internship in the field. At UMD, Khushi is the outreach coordinator for 17 for Peace and Justice, an environmental justice organization. Within this organization, they’ve worked on a campaign pressuring the University System of Maryland (USM) , the institution in control over UMD’s endowment, to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
Renée Lutterbach – Columbia University
Renée Lutterbach is a Master of International Affairs candidate at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, concentrating in Economic and Political Development with a specialization in Technology, Media, and Communications. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Anthropology from Purdue University. Her academic journey includes international study at the National University of Singapore, where she deepened her interest in Southeast Asian sustainability and cross-border environmental governance. Renée’s professional experience spans municipal government, nonprofit development, and environmental research. In her hometown in Indiana, she led digital strategy initiatives to enhance public access to municipal services. Renée is particularly interested in how digital tools and community-driven research can support more equitable, sustainable food systems, and climate resilience. Outside of work, she enjoys language learning and cooking recipes inspired by the places she hopes to visit.
Jae-Hee Bae – Yale University
Jae-Hee Bae (she/her) is a senior at Yale University who hails from Dayton, Ohio, where she is pursuing a 4-year B.S./M.S. degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Jae-Hee is a huge fan of environmental advocacy, food systems, and science-based (& intersectional!) climate solutions. On campus, she derives immense joy working with the dining policy team of Plant Forward Yalies to bring yummy plant-based options to Yale dining, scheming as a creative producer of The Solarfest during Earth Week (ask her about this! And Solarpunk!), serving as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant for her favorite-course-ever MB&B 365/565 or “Biochemistry and Our Changing Climate” with Dr. Karla Neugebauer and her colleague Isabel. Beyond these things, she is a proud editor of the Yale Environmentalist, a member of Students 4 Carbon Dividends, and founder of Yale’s Alternative Protein Project. In the past, Jae-Hee has spearheaded an international campaign towards rainforest protection of the Congo Basin and interned with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. In the summer of 2025, she will research with the Sustainable Food Processing Lab at ETH Zürich.
Miles Levesque – Drexel University
Miles Levesque (he/him) is a first-year Environmental Studies and Sustainability student at Drexel University, committed to advancing local environmental policy and education through his studies, academic projects, and local advocacy. Currently, he is working as a research assistant in the Climate Pedagogy Incubator, an experimental learning community primarily composed of Drexel University professors dedicated to implementing various pedagogical techniques to teach climate justice across all fields. This same experimental approach to climate is applied in his creation of an environmental art workshop series at his university, titled “The Earth: Our Home.” This ongoing project invites participants to engage with and create visual and written work centered around various themes related to the climate, while also building relationships and discussing climate change from a personal perspective, rather than focusing on a series of data points. Always aiming to extend his commitment to climate action beyond his university, Miles grounds his work in his city through his involvement in the Sunrise Movement. This national movement of youth for climate justice has a chapter in Philadelphia, where Miles has worked in various roles since moving to the city, with a recent focus on the organization’s mutual aid side.
Nam Thanh Nguyen – University of California, San Diego
Nam Thanh Nguyen (he/him) is a senior at the University of California, San Diego, and a native in the region, where he is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Human Biology and intends to earn an M.D./Ph.D. focusing on environmental health. Nam is a council member on the California Environmental Justice Advisory Council, working with both the Department of Toxic Substances Control and Board of Environmental Safety. He is also a United Nations Local Pathways Fellow and Yale Path Scholar, where he focuses his efforts on issues relating to the Tijuana Sewage Valley. On the campus-wide issues, Nam served as both a Senior News Editor for the UCSD Guardian and as an Associated Students college senator, reporting and working on sustainability efforts. On his research front, Nam has investigated how herbivores impact wildfires in California and the impacts of certain hospital practices on carbon footprint. He has also helped spearhead the annual Heat and Human Health Summit at the UCSD School of Medicine.
Garrett Ordonez – University of Southern California
Garrett Ordonez is a rising junior at the University of Southern California, studying environmental studies and international relations. He currently serves as an undergraduate researcher in the Cnidarian Evolutionary Ecology (CEE) Lab, where he studies cnidarian genomics to evaluate their resilience. This summer, he will conduct terrestrial ecology research in Colorado, followed by an internship in South Africa. In his free time, Garrett enjoys hiking, rock climbing, running, swimming, and visiting new places. Ask him about Hike for Habitats!
Tiffany Barker-Edwards – Clemson University
Tiffany Barker-Edwards is a first-year master’s student at Clemson University working to obtain her Master of Science in Hydrogeology. She is a member of the People and Places lab, a collaborative space for her to focus on scientific research and science education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Earth System and Climate from the University of Texas at San Antonio. During her time in undergrad, Tiffany participated in various NSF-funded internships with organizations such as the Keck Geology Consortium, reconstructing paleoenvironments, and NC State University, understanding the similarities between naturally occurring sandstones and microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation. These opportunities furthered her passion for earth & environmental research while demonstrating the importance of effectively communicating scientific information. For her master’s thesis, she will be investigating plastic pollution and microplastic contamination in Upstate South Carolina. Tiffany is dedicated to addressing environmental issues and hopes to continue this through public education and advocacy.
Belle Li – Pepperdine University
Belle Li (she/her/hers) is a senior Posse Scholar at Pepperdine University, double majoring in Sustainability and Hispanic Studies while pursuing a Certification in Conflict Management at Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Caruso School of Law. She is passionate about the impact of education and community on climate justice. Having the opportunity to embrace her passion by working as an environmental activity counselor at a summer camp for kids, Belle is excited to continue working in this intersectionality. At Pepperdine, she is the President of the Food Recovery Network, saving food from going to waste to instead feed the community and educating the student body and staff about the intersectionality between food, social justice, and climate justice. Furthermore, Belle is the Lead Ambassador for Pepperdine’s International Programs; she has studied abroad for a full academic year in Buenos Aires, Argentina and for a summer in Madrid, Spain. Often, you can find Belle roller skating, crocheting, hiking, or a combination of those, and she is always looking to learn something new!
Zoe Farris – Duke University
Zoe Farris is a sophomore at Duke University studying Marine Science & Conservation and Spanish. She is passionate about grassroots environmental activism and has served as a Project Manager for Duke Climate Coalition, Duke’s largest undergraduate environmental advocacy group, through which she organizes and runs events and actions encouraging Duke to divest from fossil fuel companies and serve as a climate leader. She also conducts research on temperate corals in North Carolina and is passionate about environmental justice and biodiversity conservation as it relates to rural, coastal communities and marine ecosystems. She spent the summer after her freshman year at the Duke University Marine Lab as a DukeEngage volunteer intern, where she implemented coastal restoration and community resilience strategies by collaborating with various local organizations. Her work included planting living shorelines, designing museum plaques, developing learning curricula, and conducting fieldwork. She looks forward to returning to the Marine Lab for the spring semester of her junior year, where she will take classes and continue to conduct research.
Sofia Trigueros Ufford – University of California at Santa Cruz
Sofia Trigueros Ufford (she/her) is a senior at the University of California at Santa Cruz, double majoring in Latin American Studies and Agroecology. She has the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish. Sofia is passionate about intersectional environmentalism and is involved in many related programs at UCSC and the greater community. She has been a part of the Venom Lab at UCSC for two years, where she has created an online database, researched archives of antivenom records, and analyzed medical records. During the past academic yea,r Sofia was working on an independent study, Exploración de Herpetología: Para la Educación de Todos, which was a project working towards providing better wildlife education for public schools in the United States and Costa Rica. She also studied abroad in Costa Rica and Mexico, where she gained hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture and opportunities. In her hometown in New York, she volunteers at the Cornell Farmworkers Program and the local food pantry. This coming summer, she will be interning for UCSC’s Labor Summer program, working alongside a union and advocating for their needs. Following that, Sofia plans to attend law school with a focus on labor law. Sofia plans to dedicate her life’s work to improving working conditions for farmworkers everywhere.
Avery Sands – Trinity College
Avery Sands (she/her) is a senior at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She has experience working with environmental nonprofits, including an internship with the North and South Rivers Watershed Association on the South Shore of Massachusetts. At Trinity, Avery has worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying how trace metal concentrations affect urban pond ecosystems and assessing the water quality of streams flowing into the Connecticut River. Her involvement in environmental justice advocacy stems from her work in Trinity’s Liberal Arts Action Lab, where she collaborated with the Center for Leadership and Justice on a community-based research project to understand the social and health impacts of a waste incinerator on Hartford’s South End neighborhood. Additionally, Avery is a Marcuss Fellow, a student representative on Trinity’s Sustainability Committee, and a mentor for the Venture Women’s Leadership Program. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring new coffee shops.
Isha Raheja – Pomona College
Isha Raheja (she/her) is a junior at Pomona College pursuing a degree in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Environmental Analysis. Isha’s environmental interests range from sustainable fashion and waste management to native plant ecology. Isha currently serves as the coordinator of Pomona College’s Free Room, a campus center dedicated to promoting sustainability and accessibility by providing free, secondhand clothing, shoes, bedding, school supplies, and books to students and community members. Under her leadership, the Free Room diverted over 3,000 pounds of clothing from the landfill in a single year. Through this position, she also enjoys hosting fashion shows, mending workshops, and trips to flea markets using public transportation. She was recently awarded an honorable mention by the Udall Foundation for her commitment to sustainable fashion.
She also serves as an EcoRep for Pomona’s Sustainability Office, where she has piloted institutional initiatives for campus composting, native plant re-landscaping, public transit promotion, reusable café mugs, and a cross-campus Earth Month calendar, which featured 35+ events across 5 colleges and 25+ organizations. She will continue her work with the office this upcoming summer as an intern researching how close Pomona College is to achieving 2030 sustainability goals across various key sectors like waste, water, and food.
Andy Zhang – University of Connecticut
Andy Zhang (he/him) is a junior at the University of Connecticut studying Environmental Sciences and Economics. He works at the intersection of plant-based food systems, climate justice, and institutional change. Andy has held sustainability and policy roles with the UConn Office of Sustainability, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, and Friends of the Earth, where he contributed to research on federal food procurement and Scope 3 emissions. He is the founder of Plant Futures UConn, a student-led initiative advancing plant-based dining reforms and food justice through advocacy, research, and institutional partnerships. Whether shaping procurement policy or working across academic and legal spaces, Andy is passionate about building more just, transparent, and sustainable food systems.
Carina Walter – University of Miami
Carina Walter is a rising junior and Presidential Scholar at the University of Miami, studying marine biology and ecology, with minors in Fine Arts and Ecosystem Science and Policy. She is particularly interested in studying genetic disease caused by anthropogenic stressors in various aquatic animals, and hopes to integrate these topics within her research. Currently, Carina works as a volunteer undergraduate research assistant in the Conservation Ecology Laboratory, and this summer will join the Experimental Hatchery and Aquaculture Laboratory and the Cnidarian Immunity Laboratory as well. When she’s not in the lab or studying with friends, she loves to spend her time at the ceramics studio, both as a teaching assistant and as a student. This year, she was also appointed as the Panhellenic Delegate for her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. Whenever she has free time, you can find her working on her ceramics skills, running, cooking, volunteering through Pi Phi, or lounging by the pool!
Margaret Young – Vanderbilt University
Margaret Young (she/her) is an incoming sophomore at Vanderbilt University, double majoring in Human & Organizational Development and Climate Studies, and minoring in French Studies. She is passionate about environmental justice, advocacy, environmental science, and studying the human-centered aspect of climate science. She enjoys working with Vanderbilt’s SPEAR (Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility) Club to get involved in environmentally focused initiatives and sustainability efforts around campus, as well as local river cleanups and weekend hikes. Additionally, she attends alumni lectures with Vanderbilt’s Energy Transition Society and discussing current environmental policy issues, renewable energy technologies, and company sustainability initiatives from professionals. She also enjoyed being a part of Red Sand Project, a non-profit organization that raises awareness for human trafficking through participatory art installations. As the organization’s inaugural National Student Ambassador, she conducted extensive research on human trafficking and organized events at her school and local community.
Renee Dansker – Queens College
Renee Dansker is a senior at Queens College, double majoring in Neuroscience and Environmental Studies. She’s passionate about understanding environmental injustice and how it affects mental health, especially in communities that are often overlooked. Renee currently serves as a research assistant in the Stress in Pregnancy Lab, a longitudinal study investigating the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on maternal stress and child neurodevelopment. Through this work, she’s had a firsthand understanding of how climate-driven disasters and environmental stress disproportionately affect marginalized families. Aside from her studies, Renee is a swim instructor who believes strongly in expanding access to enriching resources. From equitable access to green spaces to learning skills that foster social mobility, she is passionate about fighting against systemic injustices.
Fisher Mallon – Duke University
Fisher is a Robertson Scholar and Climate Scholar at Duke University, double majoring in Environmental Sciences & Policy and Economics. As co-president of the Duke Climate Coalition, he leads projects in North Carolina focused on expanding solar energy and holding Duke Energy accountable to their climate goals. He has spent his college summers in Whitesburg, Kentucky, building houses and installing solar panels; in Nepal, researching how climate change affects health; and in London, England, researching the economic impacts of the net zero transition with the Energy Transitions Commission. Fisher has witnessed the ability of low-carbon technologies to improve people’s lives today while mitigating dangerous future climate impacts. He firmly believes that by accelerating and implementing climate solutions, we will build a future that is more prosperous, healthful, and just.
Fisher will also encourage Duke University to implement a 2050 net zero target for their $12 billion endowment.
Laila Gad – Columbia University
Laila Gad is a Master of Public Health candidate at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, specializing in Environmental Health Sciences with a certificate in the Health of an Aging Society. Her work centers on the intersection of climate change and aging, with a particular focus on how rising temperatures disproportionately affect older adults in urban environments like New York City. Laila combines public health research with community advocacy to raise awareness of climate-related risks facing older adults by hosting climate safety workshops in older adult centers. Last year, as an intern at Weill Cornell, she published one of the first literature reviews on the impacts of extreme weather events on nursing home residents through JAMDA. This summer, she was selected as a Columbia Aging Center Longevity Fellow to continue her work in hosting climate workshops in OACs across the city in Arabic, English, and Spanish. She aspires to become a geriatrician who serves not only as a clinician but also as a social anchor, climate educator, and medical advocate. Outside of her academic work, Laila is a passionate reader with a special love for horror fiction.
Symone Franks – University of Colorado Boulder
Symone is a first-year Master’s student at the University of Colorado Boulder where she is a member of the Equal Water Lab conducting research at the intersection of environmental justice, water quality, and emerging contaminants. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Science with a minor in Sustainability from the University of Missouri Kansas City. As an undergraduate, she was recognized as Honors Student of the Year for her graduating class and was awarded both the Marion Bloch Scholar and KC Scholar distinctions for her academic excellence and leadership. Symone interned with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Region 7 where she authored published Permit Quality Review reports for the EPA’s website and contributed to federal environmental compliance efforts. She also served as a mentor in an NSF-funded program designed to introduce environmental hazards and science career pathways to inner-city middle and high school students, a role that deepened her commitment to equity in environmental education. Her recent research on the geographic distribution of PFAS in local water systems, conducted in collaboration with the Kansas City Water Department, has been presented in both poster and paper formats and highlights the disproportionate impact of PFAS contamination on marginalized communities.
Dee Wieczorek – Villanova University
Dee Wieczorek (she/her/hers) is a graduate student at Villanova University pursuing her master’s in Environmental Science with special attention on environmental GIS spatial analysis. After twenty successful years working as an office administrative professional, Dee graduated cum laude with her BA in Public Administration from Villanova in 2023 and expects to graduate with her MS degree in 2026. Her work centers at the intersection of public policy, sustainability and environmental justice. At Villanova, she helped to organize Villanova’s annual “Day Of Service” community project and is a peer reviewer for the graduate student interdisciplinary journal, “Concept”. She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Lambda academic honor societies. Dee is a volunteer member of the Natural Lands conservation group and in her spare time enjoys knitting, cooking, enjoying lots of music, and vintage British comedies.
Espia Dunkley – University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Espia Dunkley (she/her) is a fourth-year student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in equity, development, and ethics, along with a double minor in International and Global Studies and Spanish. Her work and primary interests center on environmental equity and justice, climate resilience, and data analytics, with a strong emphasis on advocacy. Espia brings experience in fellowships, project management with a global environmental waste company, and coursework that has strengthened her skills in international relations, data analytics, and intercultural communication. She has held multiple leadership roles at UNCG, serving as the vice president of student organizations that advocate for homeless dignity and inclusion, and as the events coordinator for her African dance team. Espia hopes to pursue a future career in environmental politics, data analytics, and/or nonprofit work, and is committed to building just, sustainable systems and solutions that reflect the leadership and priorities of frontline communities.
Ewan Dignon – Duke University
Ewan Dignon is an undergraduate at Duke University studying Public Policy (B.A.) and Economics (B.A.) with a minor in Environmental Sciences and Policy. Born in San Francisco, he grew up along the Connecticut shoreline. Before going to Duke, Ewan worked in local and congressional political campaigns, fostering a passion for advocacy and policy work. At Duke, he worked on a research team studying the formation of ghost forests along the North Carolina coast, examining the economic cause-and-effect relationship between development and environmental change. In the future, he hopes to work in economic policy analysis and advocacy. Currently, Ewan also works as a Stanback Fellow at RCC in D.C. for the summer. In Ewan’s spare time, he enjoys hiking, watching soccer, and reading in a hammock.
Benjamin Trost – Georgia State University
Ben is first-year Master of Geosciences student at Georgia State University. He received a BS in Biology and a BA in Environmental Studies and Storytelling from the University of Alabama in 2025. Ben is an interdisciplinary human geographer, combining data science, qualitative research, and journalism to examine environmental issues in the South. His master’s work will explore the social and political dimensions of water quality inequities in Metro Atlanta. From 2024–2025, he was a RCC National Environmental Leadership Fellow. His project used expert interviews to assess Alabama’s water policy framework. His passion for research has led him to collaborate with NGOs on water quality advocacy projects, publish on the politics of plant conservation, and in 2024 he received a Udall scholarship. Ben loves to hike, (overly-confidently) identify plants, and explore the connections between Southern history, queer identity, and the environment with creative writing.
Ava Kocher – Duke University
Ava Kocher is an undergraduate student at Duke University studying Biology and Marine Biology. From Massachusetts, Ava’s childhood spent exploring the woods and Charles River sparked her passion for environmental stewardship. She channels this through taking care of animals and ecosystems. At Duke, she works at the Duke Lemur Center and does research on sea urchins under climate stress. She also leads trips in the outdoors to foster connections between Duke students and the natural world. She intends to channel her passions for writing, teaching, and research by becoming a professor and sharing her love of the natural world with future generations.
Lydia Samuels – Columbia University
Lydia Samuels is a first-year Master of Public Health student at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, where she is pursuing a concentration in Population and Family Health with a certificate in Climate and Health. She recently completed her undergraduate studies at New York University, where she earned a joint B.A. in Global Public Health and Global Liberal Studies with honors, including induction into Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Omega. Lydia’s academic and professional trajectory centers on the nexus of climate change, health equity, and environmental justice, particularly in the Caribbean and West Africa. As a researcher in NYU’s ISEE Lab, she has co-authored manuscripts on syndemics and healthcare access for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease, and her global health work spans scoping reviews, policy evaluation, and field research in Ghana. Lydia has also contributed to maternal and infant health equity initiatives through positions with the Clinton Health Access Initiative and Bronx Health Link, where she developed a comprehensive WIC/food access directory to address service gaps in NYC.
Selected as a CDC John R. Lewis Scholar, she designed and presented original research on the health impacts of climate change in the Caribbean.
MacEva Wright – Duke University
MacEva Wright is a second-year graduate student at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. There, she is working towards earning a Master of Environmental Management degree with an emphasis on Coastal and Marine Systems and Environmental Justice. Having spent her early childhood in Brooklyn, NY, MacEva and her family relocated to Atlanta, GA, where she spent most of her formative years. After earning her B.S. in Biology from the University of North Georgia in December of 2022, MacEva went on to serve as a Rare Species Research Assistant for Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) via the National Park Service and the Latino Heritage Internship Program. It was through this experience that her passion for strengthening environmental stewardship, advocacy, and scientific literacy outside of the scientific community blossomed. As a continuation of these passions, MacEva has fully immersed herself in courses like Ocean Law and Policy and the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic to better understand the relationships between science, policy, and justice. As a current Presidential Rachel Carson Council (RCC) Stanback Fellow, she hopes to grow in her ability to share stories that connect science, justice, and community.
