Jean Qian is a junior at Emory University who is pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Quantitative Sciences with intent to attend law school. Her experience as an undergraduate research assistant revolves around using interdisciplinary approaches for major public policy issues.

She has previously worked in the Emory Politics of Policing Lab to research domestic and international use of force powers. This upcoming year, she is excited to contribute to the Climate Resilience and Transformations Lab. As a South Floridian, she is inspired by equitable and community-centered goals for environmental justice. Witnessing the ways that law, policy, and governance can affect environmental and ecological well-being, Jean hopes to use her advocacy and academic interests to explore sustainable frameworks for future generations.

Alanna Finn is a second-year undergraduate student at Emory University pursuing a BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a minor in Environmental Sciences. Her interest in Environmental Science was influenced by her extended stay in Dominica during the Covid pandemic, the small eastern Caribbean island that her family hails from. During her time there, she delved into investigating the potential impact of green debt relief in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Her exploration also extended to sustainable technologies, where she focused on initiatives like blue economy initiatives and eco-friendly agricultural practices to address environmental challenges and promote economic development. As a multi-disciplinary individual, Alanna also engages in Neuroscience research and is an avid marketer, creating video content for Emory’s social media channels. Alanna is driven by the desire to blend her diverse interests of neuroscience, environmental science, digital media, and business. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, interior decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Tim is a sophomore at Emory studying Environmental Sciences (EAS) and Philosophy, Politics, and Law. He is interested in studying intersections between anthropogenic noise, environmental justice, and policy. He is involved in Emory’s Ecological Society, plays trombone in the orchestra, and enjoys making music in his free time.

Darby Osborne is a third-year undergraduate student at Emory University. She is pursuing a B.S. In Environmental Science on the Social Science and Policy track. She has worked with local government in her home state of Alaska to create and pass climate policy and hopes to continue learning about and shaping climate policy after graduating. She is particularly interested in climate mitigation strategies for rural and coastal communities. At Emory she is a member of Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions Team.

Jake is in the class of 2025 from Washington, DC majoring in Environmental Sciences and History. He is deeply passionate about the relationship between sustainability, resilience, and the built urban environment. His work focuses on land use issues and their connection to United States History.

Sonya Doubledee is a third-year undergraduate Woodruff Scholar at Emory University pursuing a BS in Environmental Science and Political Science. Her research focuses primarily on natural disasters and their association with Superfund sites. As an intern, Sonya has worked with the Turner Environmental Law Clinic, drafting a legal toolkit for farmers and other stakeholders in the food system. She is currently working as a student intern for the Environmental Protection Agency, with a focus on water pollution. At Emory, she founded the Emory Environmental Report, a student-run environmental journal that serves to give students a voice to discuss their environmental concerns and research interests.

Ilka Tona (27C) is an undergraduate student at Emory University, pursuing a B.S in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology with a minor in Applied Mathematics. Initially, she was drawn to climate justice as an intersectional approach to understanding the climate crisis and its uneven impact on marginalized communities, particularly within the Global south as a first-generation immigrant from Rwanda. Ilka is also interested in climate-conscious urban-planning solutions and building environmental resilience in vulnerable communities. With a wide array of interests, Ilka also assists in neuroscience research, writes articles for the Emory Wheel and can often be spotted at Emory’s student-run bike shop, the Fixie, as part of Emory Bike Social.

Alexandra Friedman is a junior at Emory University, majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Management and minoring in Sociology. Growing up in Los Angeles, she witnessed firsthand the impacts of inadequate public transportation, environmental injustice, and natural disasters. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of urban planning, sustainability, and ESG with experiences interning for the Chair of the Planning, Land Use, and Management Committee of the Los Angeles City Council and an urban planning publication.

Catherine Wang is interested in climate resilience and is currently researching the effects of extreme heat on farmworkers. They are an Environmental Science major with minors in Philosophy and German. As an intern, Catherine has worked in the U.S. Senate and Acadia National Park. Catherine is also a student climate activist at Emory and served as the first VP of Sustainability in the student government and part of the Emory Climate Coalition.

Skyler Zou is a junior at Emory University, majoring in Environmental Science on the Social, Science, and Policy (SSP) track with a double major in Economics. Her academic interests center on the intersection of environmental and economic systems, with a focus on exploring sustainable solutions. She is particularly interested in the ways urban planning, environmental justice, and environmental management can be integrated to promote sustainability, striving to understand and address the complex challenges cities face in balancing economic development with ecological stewardship.