Climate Science & Policy Program

Abigail “Gail” Bova grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with her four siblings and two parents. She  graduated from The Ohio State University with her BA in International Studies in May 2020 and moved to San Diego in June 2020 with her now husband, Jeff. Together they live in Ocean Beach and enjoy surfing, freediving, listening to local music, and finding good food in their free time! A fun fact about Abigail is that she was a French minor and now speaks mediocre French and is always looking for people to practice with to get it back!

Abigail spent the last five years working in the refugee resettlement field, first locally in job readiness training and placement for refugee and immigrant women and youth and then with the State Department as a Functional Analyst.  She was exposed to aquaculture and climate applications in a developmental economics course her junior year of college and has been fascinated by the work ever since.  After being laid off due to the current administration's refugee policies, she found herself positioned for a career shift and decided to take the opportunity to dive back into education through the MAS CSP Program. Abigail looks forward to gaining practical skills in climate math and science and exploring climate applications in marine-based environments!

Adélka Hančová graduated in 2025 from the University of California, San Diego with a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in International Relations, minoring in Education and Environmental Studies. Adélka has a background in educating, facilitating and offering spaces to discuss and combat the climate crises. She has volunteered at San Diego 350 and organized the first Climate Uprising, then got hired as an Actions Team Intern facilitating and curating actionable projects for the youth in the community. As a Student Lead for a county supervisor she saw the importance of citizen participation and urged politicians to create sustainable and attainable measures in their communities.

Soon after visiting China and witnessing the firsthand effects of the polluting fast fashion industry, her hobby became a successful second-hand upcycling business, Delki.co. It emphasizes the importance of slow fashion, mending, and reusing clothing. This would later inspire Adelka’s founding of the UCSD Fashion Club that curated a platform for self expression with the mantra of not buying new—hosting clothing swaps, and informational seminars online. Her passion for the outdoors and sports led her to be a four-year Women’s Club Soccer player, Captain of the UCSD Ski and Snowboard Team, and an avid hiker and runner, all contributing her awareness of conserving our environment. Guided by her parents— immigrants from the Czech Republic who grew up under a communist regime— she was taught the importance of democracy, love for learning, arts and culture, and the belief in freedom to travel as education. Privileged enough to discover new parts of the world every year and understand the political climates across the globe heightened her interest in important, concerning topics. Adélka is excited to advance her studies in the interconnection between climate change and policy and thus establish her own part in the mission of preserving and protecting our earth. Joining the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and learning under its professors stands as another concrete step towards her goals.

Aidaly earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 2024, where she focused on climate justice and community activism. She is passionate about sustainability and the intersection of climate adaptation, justice, and policy. During Aidaly’s undergraduate years, she was an environmental educator at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. She led discussions regarding climate change and its effects on marine diversity and ecosystems. She also interned for a local small business called Sun and Swell Foods, which focuses on sustainable food production as a social media operations intern. Her roles included tracking compost impact reports from consumers and editing the company's podcast episodes that mainly focused on teaching viewers more circular and sustainable business strategies.

Post-grad, Aidaly participated in a two-week research program for the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program. This experience allowed her to assist marine biologists with measuring egg-laying sea turtle populations to gather data for the IUCN Sea Turtle Specialist Group and Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment. A unique aspect of Aidaly’s background is that she briefly pivoted her career for a bit and worked at a PR agency in Los Angeles to help designers reach exposure through celebrity and editorial placements and worked as a stylist advisor at Aritzia where these roles deepened her understanding of sustainability in the fashion industry which she loved!

Alex is an environmental filmmaker, wildlife photographer, and naturalist from Portland, OR. Growing up as a nature day camp teacher and outdoor adventure guide instilled in him a fervent love of sharing the magic of nature and the outdoors with kids and adults from around the world. Alex graduated from The George Washington University in 2018 with a degree in international affairs and minors in Arabic and film studies. For the last few years he has worked as a videographer, naturalist, and photo instructor on expedition passenger cruises with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, teaching natural history and nature photography to guests in wild and remote places including Alaska, Antarctica, Baja California, and across the Pacific Northwest. He is deeply passionate about environmental education, science communication, and conservation storytelling.

The CSP program excites Alex as he pivots his career to more impactful and hands-on work in climate advocacy, conservation communication, and wildlife protection to bridge the gap between the scientific community and policymakers. He is eager to grow his knowledge of how climate change is affecting fragile ecosystems, marine habitats, and most importantly, bird health and migration. Alex is looking forward to building a community with his classmates and other students at Scripps and learning from their extensive experiences and perspectives. He loves dinner parties, board games, basketball, trivia nights, hiking, sci-fi and epic fantasy, and of course, birds!

Brooke Parks graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning in Spring 2025. Growing up in Southern California Brooke witnessed the real-time consequences of climate change such as drastic coastal erosion, warmer temperatures and rampant wildfires. Alongside her love of nature, experiencing these effects of the climate crisis motivated her to get involved in the environmental field. From 2023 to 2025, Brooke worked with the Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior at UC Davis as a research associate, co-authoring two papers. The first examines policy entrepreneurship and advocacy related to unconventional oil and gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The second (funded by NSF) explores renewable hydrogen energy and what local governments in California are doing to pursue hydrogen-based initiatives. Studying environmental policy exposed Brooke to the challenges of the worsening climate crisis and inspired her to pursue higher education.

In the future she aspires to become an environmental lawyer to advocate for climate legislation focused on climate resilience, decarbonization and environmental justice in disadvantaged communities. Outside of her academics, she works as a nanny and a swim coach to young children. In her free time she can be found at the beach, camping or going on adventures with friends. While participating in the MAS CSP program Brooke hopes to gain valuable mentorship and insight into potential climate solutions.  She is excited to get involved, make a change, and be an active participant in the global scientific community.

Chrissy graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Geology, and continued her education at the University of New Mexico where she completed a Master’s degree with a paleoclimate-focused thesis. Her research involved reconstructing past climate variability in the Southwest using stalagmite samples. Since then, she has continued living in New Mexico and has worked in environmental consulting, primarily on the remediation of uranium-contaminated sites. Her first role out of graduate school involved working at abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, which helped shape her understanding of the intersection of environmental justice and policy.

Her interests have increasingly focused on the relationship between climate and society, and she is particularly interested in how policy at various levels can support the transition to a low carbon society in ways that are equitable and beneficial to communities. Chrissy chose to join the MAS CSP program because Scripps has always been at the forefront of climate research and she is excited about the opportunity to learn from climate and policy experts in the program. She is originally from Key West, Fl, and after living in the desert for 10 years she is also looking forward to living near the ocean again.

Christina Guerra is originally from a small coastal town on Long Island, NY. Most recently, Christina has been working as a Program Analyst at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she has developed and administered several funding programs under the Transportation and Climate Division. Christina earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Policy and a minor in Spanish from Northeastern University in Boston in 2017.

Christina’s experience during undergrad primarily included internships in cleantech and conservation organizations, in addition to grassroots campaign work. After graduation, she worked for a transportation policy and advocacy coalition in Massachusetts, before departing for rural Panama to serve in the Peace Corps as a Community Environmental Conservation volunteer until the COVID-19 evacuation in March 2020. Although Christina’s pathway to Scripps was slightly non-linear, she is beyond excited to be here during such a critical time for our environment. Christina chose the MAS CSP Program because she was drawn to the research-based program and the opportunity to study under leading climate scientists and policy experts at one of the most important centers for oceanography in the world. Outside of intersectional environmentalism and sustainable transportation, Christina’s passions are traveling, music, outdoor adventures (watersports, hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing, etc.), vegetarian food, literature, beach hangs, and exploring the world with her lovable Peace Corps pup, Kila.

Clara Arcaris-Weiss is from Northern Nevada, specifically theReno/Tahoe area. Growing up in this region allowed Clara to spend a large portion of her childhood outside, fostering a profound appreciation for nature and spending time outdoors. Some of Clara’s hobbies include hiking, camping and, in the winter, skiing! For her undergraduate degree she attended University of Nevada Reno (UNR) and received her BA in Political Science. Clara majored in environmental studies and Spanish which led her to realize that the area of policy she is most interested in is environmental policy.

Clara is more specifically interested in policies surrounding issues intensified by climate change such as wildfires, drought, and environmental justice. Since graduating from UNR, she has been working as a Staff Assistant for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, who represents Nevada. Clara worked in the Reno office and was able to grow professionally and gain valuable insight into the inner workings of a senate office. Clara is very excited to be able to apply this work experience into a masters degree and to learn more on topics she is passionate about. Clara chose this master program because, while her passion is policy based, she wants to develop her foundation in the science behind climate change, and believe her interests align well with this program. Lastly, Clara is also excited to be closer to the ocean and to learn more about San Diego!

Having the privilege to grow up in San Diego has shown Cole how truly beautiful it can be when nature is left protected and allowed to thrive amongst people that live in and around it. Cole Titus is a scientist with a background in biotechnology and research. Having spent years in various laboratories, Cole has learned the importance of diligent, methodical and ethical work. With a strong passion in nature conservation, Cole chose the MAS Climate Science & Policy to try to learn his role in helping keep California as idyllic as it is today, for generations to come. Having the ability to travel to many of our State Parks and picturesque landmarks, makes Cole grateful for those who have given us the freedom to see nature in its most pristine form. Cole’s hope is to continue to be a voice for climate positive social and policy change, and use his studies to accompany him in stepping into a bigger role. Fun facts about Cole are that he just got married in La Jolla in the month of June 2025, he loves his wife a lot, and he has been obsessed with goats milk greek yogurt with honey since he returned from his honeymoon in Greece!

Colleen is a senior sustainability consultant, community organizer, and activist based in New York City. Colleen has been a consultant at Agendi for three years, where she works with organizations across industries to develop and implement sustainability strategies. Colleen specializes in fashion, sports and entertainment, transportation, and alternative fuels, and contributes to expert working groups on carbon accounting and climate targets. Previously, Colleen worked at ICF, advising public sector agencies on climate, energy, and transportation. Outside of consulting, Colleen volunteers with Remake to advocate for fair pay and climate justice in the fashion industry.

Colleen served as the NYC community organizer for two years, promoting campaigns, building community, and supporting policy efforts. She has been a climate activist and scientist for over ten years, producing research publications in ecology and environmental policy. Colleen is also passionate about waste management, holding certifications as a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor and Master Composter.

Colleen graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in Economics and minors in environmental studies and sustainable business. While at Fordham, she founded a climate group focused on catalyzing sustainable solutions on campus. From European to U.S. state-level, policy has increasingly influenced her professional and activist work, leading Colleen to seek a deeper understanding of climate policy. Concurrently, Colleen believes scientific research should be at the foundation of climate decision-making. Colleen chose the MAS CSP program because of its intersectional focus on both the policy and science that underpins voluntary and regulatory climate goals.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Ella attended UC San Diego from 2021 to 2025, earning a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Marine Science and Climate Change Studies. Throughout her undergraduate career, she developed a strong interest in environmental law and the political dynamics surrounding climate change, as well as the science behind these complex issues. Ella felt drawn to Scripps as a place where she could study the climate and its real-world applications, to best prepare her to promote meaningful environmental change through political action. Ella wrote for the UC publication known as the Climate Change Review, covering topics in marine science and climate change politics.

For her undergraduate research capstone, she explored the policy implications of marine carbon dioxide removal strategies, with a focus on seaweed cultivation in California. She continued her seaweed pursuits as an undergraduate researcher at the Smith Lab at Scripps, studying methane inhibitors in red seaweed. Interning for WILDCOAST, a San Diego nonprofit focused on coastal and marine conservation, Ella learned about the importance of community engagement, cross-border collaboration, and natural-based solutions for protecting marine ecosystems. Her time at the Scripps Office of Government Relations allowed her to work alongside an exceptional team dedicated to securing critical funding for Scripps research initiatives, advocating for atmospheric and oceanic science at federal and state levels. Ella’s main climate interests lie in marine policy, fisheries management, and marine carbon sequestration, with a focus on tackling these environmental challenges through bipartisan efforts. Ella is honored to be pursuing her dream master’s program alongside this year’s incredible cohort. 

Greta Schultz grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where her fascination with weather developed from experiencing severe weather, while her passion for climate change sparked during family road trips out west where they explored national parks and witnessed changing landscapes firsthand.

She began studying Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma where she chased far too many tornadoes during her freshman year. She felt that studying just weather wasn't fulfilling enough and ultimately decided to transfer to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to focus more on Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences with an emphasis on climate research. Over those three years, she contributed to diverse projects, from working in a paleoclimatology lab, to conducting air quality research at Harvard, and interning at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where she focused on remote sensing to analyze the Earth's polar climate.

Upon graduating in May of 2025, Greta decided to pursue her master’s in Climate Science and Policy here at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. With this master's, she aims to combine scientific research with raising public awareness in hopes to help bridge the gap between scientists and the public and inspire action on climate change. Aside from academics, Greta enjoys spending her time outdoors. Whether hiking or swimming in the ocean, as long as she is soaking up some sun, she's a happy camper. She also enjoys painting and it's always been a meaningful part of her life since she was a kid. But she can never go wrong with spending some good ol' quality time with her friends and family!

Henry Chen graduated from UC San Diego in Spring 2025 with a degree in Environmental Systems Policy. During his time at UCSD, Henry also studied Global Health and Japanese Studies. He is also a fluent Cantonese speaker. Passionate about the intersections of environmental justice, public health, and culture, their interest in water conservation stems from a desire to ensure equitable access to clean water for all communities. Drawn to the MAS Climate Science and Policy program for its practical, interdisciplinary training, they’re excited to build the skills needed to create lasting impact in the climate and water sectors. In their free time, you can find them doing weightlifting/calisthenics or relaxing in a hot tub—fun fact: they can squat 365 pounds, one for every day of the year!

Lainey Bloom graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, where she first discovered a passion for engaging communities in environmental awareness and action. Lainey worked as an outdoor educator at summer camps and led field trips to UCSB’s wetland restoration site, experiences that deepened her commitment to environmental education and justice. Currently, Lainey serves as a CivicSpark Fellow with the City of La Mesa, supporting Climate Action Plan implementation and community outreach. In this role, Lainey has contributed to equity-focused climate planning, green business engagement, and environmental events, which has affirmed her interest in bridging policy and on-the-ground impact. This experience has also sparked a strong interest in advancing environmental action through local government, where Lainey sees opportunities to directly support communities and implement meaningful change. Lainey is especially passionate about food sustainability, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and urban agriculture. Lainey believes that growing food locally and equitably is a powerful tool for both community resilience and climate adaptation. She chose the MAS CSP Program to strengthen her understanding of climate science while honing project management and policy implementation skills. Lainey is excited to work alongside others who care deeply about environmental solutions and community well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, dancing, and spending time in botanical gardens. Lainey is excited to meet everyone and learn from others' interests and experiences!

Raised in San Clemente, just north of Camp Pendleton, Lang developed a lifelong appreciation for the ocean and the environment from an early age. Lang’s academic journey took her to UC Berkeley, where she earned a B.S. in Society and Environment and completed a minor in Public Policy. This educational background provided Lang with a solid grounding in environmental science, policy analysis, and community engagement. While at Berkeley, Lang balanced her studies with athletics as a member of the water polo team—a passion she looked forward to continuing with the club team at UCSD. Lang’s professional experience most recently includes working with the Development team at the Ocean Institute. There, she focused on grant applications, fundraising, and donor communications, all aimed at securing essential resources for marine education and research. In addition to her time at the Ocean Institute, Lang has contributed to the Surfrider Foundation, led political canvassing teams, and gained experience in environmental technology sales. When she’s not immersed in nonprofit work, you’ll often find her serving, hosting, or teaching swim lessons—roles she truly enjoys. Throughout her career, Lang has remained dedicated to advancing environmental healing and equity. She is excited to embark on this new program, eager to expand her knowledge, tackle fresh challenges, and apply her skills to protect the oceans that have always inspired her.

Marina Minic graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. During her undergraduate career, Marina was actively involved in student organizations advocating for the university’s transition to renewable energy and divestment from fossil fuels. Marina also interned with the Office of Sustainability, where she worked to improve energy efficiency in campus laboratories. In her third year, Marina conducted research in an atmospheric chemistry lab on ozone measurement devices, a project that highlighted the power of data in driving policy change. This experience sparked Marina’s commitment to integrating science with advocacy. After graduation, she worked as a lab intern at a winery in Napa Valley before joining the Citizens Utility Board of Illinois (a utility watchdog). There, she focused on solar programs and policies, analyzing solar adoption through a consumer protection lens.

Marina’s unique path helped shape her people-first approach to climate issues. She chose the MAS in Climate Science and Policy program to bridge gaps in her knowledge and explore ways to combine data-driven and people-centered work. Marina is especially interested in how solar energy, electrification, and utility bill literacy can help reduce household energy burdens while advancing the transition away from fossil fuels. Outside of work and study, Marina enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring new cuisines. She is looking forward to doing both in La Jolla, while also learning more about climate science and policy alongside her cohort.

Mia is an avid surfer and marine enthusiast. Mia’s passion for environmentalism began at a young age due to her love for the ocean; she started volunteering with the Surfrider Foundation, helped build and support a sustainable school in Ghana, and aided sea turtle conservation in Baja. In 2024, Mia graduated from UCLA with a double major in Environmental Science and Spanish, and a minor in Conservation Biology. During a field biology quarter, she had the opportunity to conduct a research project which connected seagrass abundance and diminished plastics to the success of Marine Protected Areas. Mia also did a year-long project with the Nature Conservancy, working with a group to combat wastewater pollution in coral reefs in Hawaii. Simultaneously studying Spanish, Mia became fluent in the language and dived into cultural studies. Mia studied and saw how human and environmental justice and health are intrinsically tied. Upon graduating, she worked for an environmental law firm that targets corporations which produce goods containing carcinogenic and toxic chemicals that harm consumers and pollute the environment. Mia gained a deeper understanding of the correlation between human and environmental health, and she sees the absolute necessity for management, policy, and innovation to combat the many harms, often anthropogenic, that threaten humans and the environment alike. Mia chose the MAS CSP program because she aims to deepen her studies of oceanography, while also continuing to explore the intersection of community and culture, the environment and anthropocene, and policy, in order to protect marine and coastal ecosystems.

Michael Stevens chose the MAS CSP program because Scripps has been his dream school for pursuing a graduate degree in atmospheric science ever since he originally became an Atmospheric and Ocean Science major. The program’s compact 11 month course structure and focus on the intersection between policy and climate change made it the ideal way to combine his interest in politics and passion for sustainability. When Michael first entered high school, his Academic Decathlon teacher showed him a video called “The Accidental Sea” about California’s eutrophied Salton Sea. The video's apocalyptic imagery of beaches made of fish bones and toxic waste pits at what was once a thriving resort area kickstarted his passion for conservation and fighting global warming. This led to Michael eventually graduating with a Bachelor’s in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science (AOS) from UCLA last June. The AOS department at UCLA was small but tight-knit, and Michael had many exciting research opportunities including going out on the department speedboat for data collection on the waters and sea life in Santa Monica Bay. This June, Michael will be embarking on a research trip to Honduras through Loma Linda University, where he will be tagging sea turtles and scuba diving to collect data on them and their migration patterns. Professionally, Michael has been working as an electrician inventorying electrical panels for Southern California West Coast Electric at their clients’ buildings since November. One thing Michael thinks his colleagues would find fun is that he is a huge fan of The Offspring and Black Sabbath!

Naomi Howard graduated in June 2025, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. During undergraduate, Naomi discovered her passion for climate science and policy from work experience in marine conservation and research.

In the summer of 2023, Naomi attended an abroad program in French Polynesia, where she learned first hand about the challenges of protecting coral reef ecosystems in the face of climate change. Naomi went on to become an AAUS research diver during her senior year, further exploring the Santa Barbara kelp forests through monitoring and surveying in California kelp forests. Throughout junior and senior year of college, Naomi additionally worked with the UCSB Ocean and Coastal Policy Center to make information about sea level rise and adaptation planning more accessible and engaging to affected communities through community engagement plans, coastal mapping and digital media.

Her passion for diving, ocean protection, and environmental affairs makes Naomi extremely excited to explore San Diego and all that the Climate Science and Policy program has to offer.

Ryan is graduating from UC San Diego with a BA in Anthropology: Concentration Climate Change and Human Solutions in June 2025. Coming from a social science background, her studies have emphasized community action and small-scale solutions. Ryan is looking forward to learning how to apply those ideas on a larger scale. Ryan chose the MAS CSP Program because he wants to expand his knowledge of climate solutions into the STEM world while maintaining a holistic approach to the climate crisis. There is no better place to do so than at Scripps Institute. Ryan hopes to make connections with scholars from multiple disciplines and grow her network of climate activists across various industries. Ryan was born and raised in San Diego and very much loves Southern California life. Growing up surrounded by beautiful landscapes has shaped her desire to protect the environment. She has been fortunate to have had the chance to travel and have visited four countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Someday she hopes to have a job that allows her to see the world while making a positive impact on it. She absolutely loves swimming and has been doing so competitively since she was eight years old. Ryan has been a member of the UCSD Club Swim team for the last three years and plans on continuing for as long as she is able to. Ryan has had a great experience at UC San Diego, and is thrilled to continue here.

Soraya is originally from Washington D.C. She has always had a passion for repurposement, which has evolved into a passion for sustainability and waste diversion. Soraya is particularly fascinated by policies that aim to achieve circular economies, those in which materials and resources are continuously reused and repurposed to minimize waste, contrasting from traditional economies with an extraction, production, discardment pipeline. Soraya moved to San Diego in 2021 to pursue a B.A. in Environmental Systems/Policy at UCSD, as well as minors in Spanish Literature and Political Science. For her ESYS (Environmental Systems) senior internship project, Soraya worked at Plastic Beach, a San Diego-based non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating and promoting the responsible recycling of soft plastic packaging waste. Since Soraya had been diverting soft plastic waste on a personal scale for a decade by looming it into cushions, she wanted to expand her impact and be involved with soft plastic waste reduction on a larger scale. The focus of Soraya’s project was to raise awareness about soft plastic recycling and promote its implementation at UCSD through outreach events with pilot soft plastic drop-off bins. Soraya chose the MAS CSP program because she wanted to further understand the intersection and bridge the gap between climate science research and real-life policy actions to prepare herself for a career related to environmental policy. Soraya is also drawn to the program’s connections to industries, corporations, businesses, and government and non-government agencies, which will provide invaluable networking opportunities and real-world insights.

Zane Heather is interested in studying the practical policy solutions driving our society’s just transition to clean energy. Prior to his time in the CSP program, Zane managed FEMA’s National Hurricane Program (NHP), based at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. In that role, Zane led the development and implementation of hurricane preparedness tools and strategies at a national scale, administering and executing the program’s seven distinct components. Before that, he worked in FEMA’s National Integration Center, supporting state and local partners with evacuation and shelter-in-place planning and technical assistance. Zane began his FEMA career in 2020. Prior to FEMA, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica for three years. He spent two years working on community economic development in a rural coffee village, followed by a year with the Costa Rica-USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA), supporting community investment initiatives. He is always happy to share Costa Rica travel tips!

Zane is passionate about continuous learning and has completed courses at the Naval Postgraduate School, UC Davis, and the Project Management Institute.  Zane studied International Economics and Business at Hendrix College, where he also played baseball. In his free time, he enjoys getting outside however he can with his partner, Maddy, and pooch, Maizy: hiking, camping, climbing, paddling, running, beaching, etc.! Zane hopes to focus on clean energy policy while in the CSP program. He looks forward to deepening his understanding of the intersection between climate, energy systems, and resilience—and contributing to sustainable, forward-looking solutions.

Zihan Wang is deeply passionate about developing practical solutions for companies under the current climate crisis. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University (NCSU), followed by a Master's in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University. This foundation propelled Zihan into the ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) field, where he spent over three years as an ESG Consultant at PwC China, advising clients on sustainability strategy and reporting across diverse industries.

Seeking broader impact and switching his perspectives in the ESG sector, Zihan transitioned to Meituan as an ESG Specialist for almost a year, focusing on integrating ESG strategy into the company's operations. However, Zihan realized that analyzing and addressing climate impacts for companies requires deeper understanding of climate science, regulatory trends, and most recent climate transformation tools. Zihan is eager to collaborate with the cohort - sharing insights from corporate ESG realities while learning from their diverse perspectives. Zihan is ready to leverage this program with his cohort to become the next generation of climate leaders.