Interviews with Experts
The Climate Catalyst Foundation is dedicated to improving resources and spreading awareness for students. That’s why we have begun interviewing experts in the field to ask them what they do, how they got there, and advice they have for high school students looking to go into similar fields. It is a great resource and gives high school students great opportunities to learn and guide their high school experience to target their field of pursuit. You can watch the interviews for more!
UCLA almuna Anika Agarwal
Anika Agarwal attended UCLA as an Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major. She discusses her passion for marine biology and the kinds of things she did in high school that led her to her major in college. Anika also mentions internships and extracurriculars she did in high school which helped her and gives advice to high schoolers who are looking to pursue this field.
Columbia K-12 Educator Laurel Zaima-Sheehy
Laurel Zaima-Sheehy works at the Columbia Climate School and her work is centered around educating K-12 students about climate change, as well as adults who are looking to change their career to a more climate oriented one. She gives a lot of good advice about how to pursue climate oriented fields outside of the classroom and deciding what you want to pursue. She also talks about many enriching programs that Columbia Climate School offers to high school students to nurture passion and interest in students.
Columbia Economics Major Sean Lee
Sean Lee is a sophomore at Columbia University studying Economics. Over the summer, he got involved with an initiative run by the Columbia Business School relating to climate change and sustainability. Sean talks about his biofuels project within this initiative and also offers advice for high school students who did not study climate in high school, yet still want to be exposed to it in college.
Columbia Climate School Professor Dr. Jason Smerdon
Dr. Jason Smerdon is a professor at the Columbia Climate School researching droughts and drought variability. Dr. Smerdon talks about how he landed in the climate research space after majoring in physics in undergrad. He suggests that high school students should pursue what they are passionate about and find some way to apply that to the climate change issue - it is an extremely interdisciplinary field and almost every subject has a role in it. He encourages high school students to take advantage of their resources and community in terms of learning more about climate change and making an impact.
EPA Research Scientist, Dr. Havala Pye
Dr. Havala Pye is a research scientist in the Environmental Protection Agency and works in research and development. Her projects often include using computer models to make predictions about things such as our climate, emissions, and air pollution levels. She discusses the projects and experiences that made an impact on her decision to move toward the EPA and emphasizes the importance of finding good mentors and asking for help when you need it.
Columbia PhD Laurel DiSera
Laurel DiSera is a PhD candidate at Columbia University. She is studying large modes of climate variability and how they impact each other and their impact on global rainfall, as well as the social side of climate, such as how farmers use climate information. She talks about her projects at Columbia as well as the path that she took to the PhD program. Her advice to high school students is to be prepared for life after undergrad by continuing to take core classes such as chemistry, physics, and math.
Columbia PhD Miriam Nielsen
Miriam Nielsen is a PhD candidate and Columbia University. Her project is centered around climate models and predicting droughts and floods. She talks about her journey in high school and college leading her to study climate modeling and some helpful mentors and academic experiences. She offers great advice to high school students and suggests that you should study whatever interests you - climate touches everything!
Climate Tech Cities Founder Alec Turnbull
Alec Turnbull is the founder of Climate Tech Cities and the Climate Film Festival. Alec discusses his experience working in the climate field, how he got there and what pushed him to found Climate Tech Cities. Despite not studying climate, he found that he was passionate about it and pursued it, and he gives advice for others who are going down a similar path.
NYU Economics Professor Viral Acharya
Professor Viral Acharya is a professor of economics and finance at NYU and has transitioned to climate finance and on the impacts of climate change in India. He discusses how finance was his calling, the tracks of research he does and how he decided to transition to climate finance. He also highlights the importance of having a cohesive team, especially with regards to the climate crisis and emphasizes the significance of following your passion.
Columbia Professor Josh DiVincenzo
Josh DeVincenzo is an adjunct professor at Columbia Climate School and also works at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP). He talks about his work, his experience with students, and more. His advice to high school students is to learn, not be afraid to ask for help, and remember that the fight against climate change is not a one versus all fight.
Columbia Lead Researcher Martin Dietrich Brauch
Martin Dietrich Brauch is a lead researcher at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), at Columbia University. He works in economics and international law, solving issues pertaining to the climate crisis. Martin discusses his work at Columbia, as well as his college experience in Brazil and his masters in New York. Martin's advice to high school students is to be persistent when pursuing higher education and to reach out to professionals in the field they aspire to go into. There is a lot of knowledge that those already in the field can pass down!