I am a postdoctoral researcher in renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental policy, specializing in energy transition, climate justice, and critical mineral resource strategies. My work bridges academic research, policy advisory, and international collaboration to drive low-carbon economic transformation and sustainable development.
My research examines how green and critical minerals drive the global shift toward a just energy transition, combining technology economics with the sustainability and geopolitical dynamics of transition minerals. I also explore how smart grids and sustainable transportation (i.e electric vehicles), enhanced by digital innovations such as AI, IoT, and blockchain, can be integrated into advanced decision-making and economic models to design energy systems that are economically viable, socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and politically feasible.

Dr. Alaina Kinol is a postdoctoral fellow with the Climate Transformations Lab, studying the impacts of data center and energy infrastructure buildout. Her research has explored intersections of energy and environmental justice, fossil fuel disinformation, and climate policies at various scales from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. She is interested in understanding how climate and energy politics and policies support or undermine equitable energy transitions and climate resilience, the efforts to obstruct these goals, and what action can overcome this obstruction. Alaina earned her PhD from Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy, her MSc from the London School of Economics, and her BA from McGill University. Prior to and alongside her PhD, Alaina worked on renewable resource valuation at a non-profit and on local climate action advocacy and implementation in state and local governments.

Tanya Jagdish is a PhD student in the Environmental Sciences & Society program at Emory University. Her research focuses on equitable climate change adaptation and resilience in the Global South, with a particular emphasis on South Asia. She is interested in how psychosocial, cultural, and economic factors shape decisions to relocate or remain in place in response to climate disasters, and how public policies and community structures can best support affected populations during and after these transitions.
Prior to starting her PhD, Tanya worked as a Climate Change and Sustainability Consultant at Ernst & Young (EY) in Denver, where she conducted climate risk assessments, modeled physical and transition risks, calculated corporate greenhouse gas emissions, and advised multinational clients on decarbonization strategies. She also contributed to climate action planning at the campus level through her undergraduate thesis.
With a background bridging quantitative methods, corporate consulting, and social science frameworks, Tanya brings an interdisciplinary lens to her work, aiming to connect theory with data-driven insights and applied policy solutions. Her broader goal is to inform national and international climate adaptation policies that center equity and justice for vulnerable communities.

Samuel C. Okorie is an Environment and Development professional working at the intersection of environmental justice, civic and political ecology, human geography, ecosystem-based early warning systems for disaster risk reduction, mixed methods, community-based participatory research, and the health outcomes of environmental harms. He is a graduate student of Development Practice in Environmental Sustainability at Emory University, with an MBA in Business Analytics and Sustainable Business and a B.Sc. in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Calabar.
His research examines how frontline communities, institutions, and governance systems understand, interpret, and respond to environmental harm, with attention to adaptation, resilience, participation, and equity. He applies mixed methods, community-based participatory research, GIS, and policy analysis across the Global South and Global North. As Pioneering Founder and Contact Point for Loss and Damage at YOUNGO-UNFCCC, he represented youth interests at COP26 through COP29 and contributed to the establishment of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage. He is a fellow of the UNICEF Innocenti Leading Minds on Climate Education, a BeVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellow, Cambridge Existential Risk Fellow, British Council Young Climate Connect fellow, and a Climate Pact Ambassador of the European Commission, among others

Daniel Hong is a sophomore at Emory University pursing a BS in Environmental Sciences (SSP) with a minor in data science. He is passionate about managed retreat and climate adaptation justice, especially for SIDS and particularly vulnerable countries. He is currently conducting an independent research on managed retreat in China.

Anissa Patel is a third-year undergraduate at Emory, where she studies Environmental Science and Global Development Studies as both a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar and a Udall Scholar. She is passionate about advancing equitable, effective climate policy and solutions that bridge institutions and communities. She plans to pursue a career as an international climate mitigation lawyer with a focus on facilitating a just transition. She has experience working with nationwide nonprofits, government agencies, and political campaigns, from Citizens’ Climate Lobby to the Massachusetts Water Resources Commission. She currently researches international environmental law and climate adaptation solutions under two professors, with multiple forthcoming publications on managed retreat and hazard mitigation. She’s also deeply involved in university-wide environmental governance initiatives through SGA and the University Senate, where she leads the MARTA Pass Subsidy Pilot Program and advocates for more renewable energy across the Emory Enterprise. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors in her hometown in the Boston suburbs and camping all over the East Coast.

Ayo Sanneh is a second-year undergraduate student at Emory University pursuing a B.S. In Environmental Science on the Social Science and Policy track, and a B.A. in African American Studies. Ayo has collaborated with local Atlanta climate justice groups to promote the importance of healthy and clean environments and hopes to continue advocating for environmental justice and shaping global public health and EJ policy post-graduation. Ayo is particularly interested in global environmental justice work in urban areas, as well as studying the labor-related impacts of living in environmentally degraded areas on marginalized groups. At Emory, Ayo is the Advocacy chair of the Black Student Alliance, a student intern for the Barkley Forum, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.

River Somerville is a first year at the Emory College of Arts and Sciences aiming to study Environmental Science and History. They are particularly interested in environmental justice as it pertains to community-based solutions that equitably tackle the climate crisis. Increasing access to organic farming/gardening, green spaces and everything in-between especially piques their fancy. Their biggest hopes, research-wise, include being mentored by more-seasoned, interdisciplinarity-oriented students and faculty and gaining the tools and positive attitude to continue such applicable studies for many years to come. They also excitedly anticipate merging academics with getting to know Atlanta and its people!

Andreea is a second-year undergraduate at Emory College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Science. Growing up in Alabama's Appalachian Valley, she has developed a strong passion for advocating for the environmental well-being of underserved communities in the Southern U.S. In the lab, Andreea is eager to explore the impacts of data centers on these communities while striving to promote lasting political & social change that prioritizes climate justice. In her free time, she loves playing tennis with friends, running outdoors, and expressing her creativity through art.

Liana Kressel is a second-year undergraduate at Emory University pursuing a B.A. in Human Health with a minor in Architectural Studies. She is fascinated by public health and the built environment and wants to learn how cities can be designed to be healthier and more equitable.
Having lived in Portland, Los Angeles, and now Atlanta, she is interested in how transportation, housing, and access to green space shape the quality of our lives. She hopes to use data and mapping to inform policies that can reduce health disparities and help cities become more climate resilient.
At Emory, she is a Flourishing Fellow, a co-leader of Adamah on Campus (a Jewish-environmental organization), serves on the Hillel service committee, and loves to cook and volunteer at farmers markets.

Maya Vizuete (Emory University 2028) is an undergraduate Woodruff Scholar studying Environmental Science and Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Urban & Architectural Studies. She is interested in the intersection of climate with the built urban environment, particularly urban planning and design, resilience planning, transit and housing, land use and public spaces, and environmental justice. At Emory, she serves as cofounder of Sunrise Movement Emory, Vice President of Emory Students for New Urbanism, and an editor for the Emory Political Review.

Lily Holt (Emory University 2028) is a junior studying Environmental Science and pursuing Emory’s Dual Degree Program with Georgia Tech on the Civil Engineering track. She is passionate about urban environments, which include her interests in Environmental Justice, food accessibility, green infrastructure, walkable cities, and public transportation. At Emory she is Co-President of Sunrise Movement Emory, a Zero Waste Ambassador, and on the Research Committee of Plastic Free Emory. Outside of Emory she is an Optical Specialist at Technica Fiber Optics and runs a small mending and upcycling business.

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.

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.

Wendy is a third-year undergraduate student and Golden Door Scholar in the Emory College of Arts and Sciences pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science on the Social Science and Policy (SSP) track. She is interested in international accountability systems change; particularly how developed countries can develop reparation techniques for displaced Indigenous people around the world. Her passion for social justice guides her independent area of research on how neocolonial expectations of work affect marginalized communities' economic legacies. She has previously worked as a student intern at PIRGS, where she petitioned local governments, news, and community in favor of the Affordable College Textbook Act. At Emory, she hopes her role as DEI Managing Editor on the Emory Wheel will encourage historically underrepresented voices in journalism to engage in the media and make it a more equitable atmosphere.

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.

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.

Ruth is a Master of Analytical Finance Candidate at Emory University, holding a Bachelor’s honor degree in Accounting. Prior to pursuing her masters degree, she worked as a sales and trading analyst at Bank of America, where she covered various institutional investors and got exposed to the sustainable finance space. Ruth research centers around quantifying company specific environmental, social, and governmental factors to help individual investors make a more informed investment decision. She is currently working on building a second sustainable finance dashboard that effectively tracks financial instruments that aligns with various ESG/ corporate social responsibility matrices. She enjoys staying active by playing tennis and spending time at the gym.

Research Interests: Climate impact quantification, Corporate Social Responsibilities, ESG disclosure standardization, Climate risk financial materiality, Biodiversity, Renewable energy sources, Greenhouse gas emissions, and Waste management.

Willow Newcomb is a master’s student at Emory University where she is studying International Development Practice with a concentration in Sustainable Environment and Livelihoods. Before that, she completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science and Human Services & Social Justice at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Willow’s professional background includes working at the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, and the Organization for World Peace. She is interested in the intersection between climate, migration, and health.

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.

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.