The network of NC State Climate Leader Scholars is comprised of committed, emerging, innovative leaders focused on finding solutions to mitigating or reversing the negative effects of climate change.
Each Scholar is mentored by a NC State faculty Climate Leaders Fellow who helps guide the Scholar’s progress in the program and supports engagement with our world’s best leaders and organizations working on climate change solutions.
2022 Scholar/Faculty Fellow Teams
We are very excited to share our 2022 cohort of students and faculty members! Our teams are approaching climate change in innovative ways through habitat assessments, carbon mitigation, sports, economics, renewable energy, community engagement and public policy and education. The teams will work with their internship partners to develop solutions that mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
Rhianna Absher and Dr. Marcelo Ardon
Undergraduate – 2025 College of Natural Resources – Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources – Environmental Sciences
Climate Change Interests: Biodiversity of plants, dendrology, evolution, invasive species, and waste management (recycling, terracycling, composting, etc.).
Jon Barley and Dr. Chistopher Galik
Master’s Student – 2023 College of Humanities and Social Sciences- School of Public and International Affairs
Climate Change Interests: Public policy and public attitudes towards climate change policies especially around energy and transportation infrastructure.
Laura Gomez Rodriguez and Dr. Natalie Nelson
Undergraduate – 2023 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering – Biological Engineering
Climate Change Interests: Intersection of engineering, public policy and community equity for water quality and accessibility.
Alexandra Hays and Dr. Justin Baker
Master’s Student – 2023 College of Natural Resources Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Climate Change Interests: Socioeconomic impacts of climate change policy implementation, especially for marginalized communities.
Katy Hollinger and Dr. Gary Lackmann
Ph.D. Student – 2025 College of Sciences Dept. of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Climate Change Interests: Predicted future precipitation extremes and social science and community engagement with areas most at-risk of experiencing the impacts.
Ishita Kamboj and Dr. Veronica Augustyn
Ph.D. Student – 2024 College of Engineering Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Climate Change Interests: Energy storage research to develop strategies and direct funding for renewable energy generation, sustainable sourcing, and energy justice.
Sonia I. Preisser R., Dr. Kyle Bunds and Dr. Jonathan Casper
Ph.D. Student – 2024 College of Natural Resources Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Climate Change Interests: Alternative sports as a tool to foster pro-environment and pro-social behaviors to help achieve the SDGs.
Jethro Ssengonzi and Dr. Jeremiah Johnson
Ph.D. Student – 2025 College of Engineering Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering – Civil Engineering
Climate Change Interests: Calculation of capacity credits for variable renewable energies to provide reliable energy infrastructure in extreme weather events.
Brian Vaughn and Dr. Gavin Smith
Master’s Student – 2023 College of Design Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
Climate Change Interests: Design, community engagement and rural economic development approaches to green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Kyle Vogt-Lowell and Dr. Fanxing Li
Ph.D. Student – 2025 College of Engineering Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Climate Change Interests: Carbon capture research and development for the creation, optimization and implementation of gigaton-scale carbon capture systems.
