Meet the 2024 Sustainability Fellows

Wania Ahmed
New York University, M.A. Food Studies (Policy and Advocacy) ‘25
Host: NH Food Alliance 

Wania is working with NH Food Alliance to contribute to the development of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan, focusing on equity integration across the 28 briefs covering key products, markets, and issues essential for a thriving food system in New Hampshire. Each brief will examine farm viability and equity, address the current status, barriers, and opportunities, and provide 3-5 actionable recommendations. Wania's role includes leading the effort to identify and incorporate equity-related issues and research, and collaborating with NH Food Alliance staff, Equity Advisors, and consultants from Food Works Group. This includes assessing how various communities are disproportionately impacted, understanding different group experiences, and ensuring the inclusion of lived experiences alongside quantitative data. Her work will help create a roadmap for equitable and sustainable food systems, providing clear paths for action at national, regional, state, and local levels. Wania is applying her food studies expertise in real-world strategic planning, with the ultimate goal of fostering a fair and sustainable local food system in New Hampshire. 

Will Arent
Tufts University, M.A. Urban Environmental Policy & Planning '26; University of Minnesota, B.S. Geography & Geographic Information Science '24  
Host: New England Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership 

Will is working with the New England Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership (NEOETAP) to conduct research on state energy policies and programs that affect the rise of clean energy across New England. This research will inform private entities, local governments, and Department of Energy staff on the incentives and barriers towards clean energy technology adoption. Will is also collaborating with NEOETAP staff to develop a spatial database of energy policies and programs, which will support future analysis of New England’s energy policy landscape. This base research will serve as a blueprint for similar technical assistance partnerships around the United States. 

Olivia Audet
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Environmental Conservation and Sustainability '25 
Host: Scrapp 

Olivia is working with Scrapp on two initiatives; the first is researching Life Cycle Assessment methodology to help Scrapp calculate the greenhouse gas emissions linked with different recyclable materials. The second is helping Scrapp create an Ambassadors Program for colleges and organizations to adopt, which will allow students and staff to more actively engage in the waste management on their campuses. 

Riley Bishop
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Business Administration: International Business and Economics, Sustainability Dual Major '26 
Host: ReVision Energy 

Riley is working with a variety of teams at ReVision Energy focusing on two different projects. Her initial project partners her with the marketing team, where she is spearheading a competitive analysis. From this information, she will be able to pinpoint strategies for ReVision to improve from a marketing perspective. Halfway through the summer, Riley will pivot to work with the sustainability team and conduct a series of research projects with them. From carbon accounting to the B Impact Assessment, Riley will dive into multiple sustainability topics. 

Rae Breton
University of New Hampshire, M.S. Business Administration: Growth & Innovation '24  
Host: Bristol Seafood 

Rae is working with the Bristol Seafood team to gather the information needed to verify and deepen the subset of their B Impact Assessment focused on their supply chain (fisheries, transportation, storage) in preparation to recertify in 2025 and grow their impact. Rae is contributing to Bristol Seafood's sustainability goals and immersing in its rich history and vibrant culture.  

Rebecca Calzontzi
Johns Hopkins University, M.S. Energy Policy and Climate '25; Harvard Law School, J.D. '11; Barnard College, B.A. History '08 
Host: City of Bridgeport, CT, Office of Planning and Economic Development 

Rebecca is working with Bridgeport's Office of Planning and Economic Development (OPED) to develop building-based climate policy. Rebecca’s project focuses on creating comprehensive policy interventions at various building lifecycle phases, including construction, operation, and major renovation, to reduce building emissions and enhance climate resilience. This involves determining what types of policies are within the jurisdiction of a Connecticut municipality, conducting an examination of existing ordinances in other municipalities, drafting ordinances that align with OPED objectives, and identifying steps for implementation. This project addresses social justice considerations by incorporating equity elements, such as equity assessments and community engagement, into the ordinance framework. 

Divyaprabha Chandrasekar
The City College of New York, M.S Sustainability in Urban Environment '24G 
Host: Stibler Associates 

Divyaprabha is working with Stibler Associates in Bedford, NH to revamp their material library in alignment with their sustainability objectives. Divyaprabha is assessing the current material inventory, recommending sustainable alternatives, and developing a comprehensive standards and guidelines resource document. This document will ensure that all materials in the library comply with relevant sustainability standards, certifications, regulations, and PPP (People, Planet, Profit) goals. She is also creating a framework to guide designers in making choices that best support these sustainability goals. 

Nathan Chasse
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Analytics and Data Science, Philosophy Minor '25  
Host: St. Paul’s School 

Nathan is investigating place-based educational opportunities at St. Paul’s School to enrich the student outdoor experience, environmental education, ecological citizenship, community partnerships and service participation, and climate literacy. He is conducting an inventory of the existing environmental stewardship education programming, including creating an interactive digital campus trail map. He will synthesize his findings into a roadmap for developing future curricula and partnerships through engagement with campus lands. 

Aidan Chutkan
Arizona State University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability minor '23  
Host: Lindt & Sprungli (USA) 

Aidan is working to update and improve Lindt's energy usage models and develop new tools to predict and monitor savings from energy efficiency projects for their New Hampshire manufacturing plant. Aidan is looking at the entire manufacturing process to help determine ways in which energy can be conserved through better practices. 

Gabriella Coronado-Dodde
Tufts University, M.S. Sustainability 24, Saint Mary's College B.A. Political Science '17  
Host: Tom’s of Maine 

Gabriella is working with Tom’s of Maine and outside sustainability consultants to compile and synthesize sustainability and greenhouse gas emission data for the 2023 Goodness Report, helping the team set sustainability goals and targets for years to come. She is also conducting landscape and gap analyses of like-minded brands, identifying ways the brand can expand the reach of their sustainability communications.   

John DesRoches
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Forestry '24  
Host: City of Dover, NH 

John is working with the City of Dover to implement their Central Business District Street Tree Plan, which will improve both the aesthetics and resilience of Dover. This project will involve planting new trees and creating Miyawaki micro-forests, characterized by high planting density on small plots to greatly increase carbon sequestration and reduce runoff. He is also aiding in public outreach, increasing the visibility of the project and its many benefits. 

Elisabeth Drakatos
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Civil Engineering, Minor: Data Science ‘26 
Host: Shoal’s Marine Laboratory 

Elisabeth is working to optimize the efficiency of the Shoal's Marine Laboratory's additions to their renewable energy system. This will involve data analysis and research into three main areas. The first being to understand how to best orient the solar panels for the most optimal energy output. The second being an evaluation of theoretical versus actual output to determine the surplus power available to support the reverse osmosis water filtration system. The third being a large overview to understand the island's power needs based on the level of occupancy and the ability for the energy system to supply for the differing occupancy amounts. In order to best understand these areas, system vulnerabilities such as climate risks and varying weather patterns will be looked at. Optimizing the Shoal's Marine Laboratory's renewable energy system will provide crucial information and examples that can be used in other island communities or locations that want to implement renewable energy. 

Victoria Drake
University of New Hampshire, B.A. Political Science, B.S. Analytical Economics Dual Degree Candidate ‘25 

Kyle Manley
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Finance, Accounting minor ‘25 
Host: Prime Buchholz 

Victoria and Kyle are working with Prime Buchholz as an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) & DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) data collection fellows. In this role, they are collecting, organizing, analyzing, and scoring data and supporting documentation from investment managers and updating the firm’s central database. The Fellows will also be working as a part of Prime Buchholz’s Mission-Aligned Investment committee and on a firm-wide intern project to help further integrate ESG, DEI, and sustainability values into company operations. 

Olivia Elliott
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Nutritional Sciences '26 
Host: NH Department of Health and Human Services 

Olivia is working with the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Food Protection Section to conduct research on farmer’s markets within the state. She is conducting food safety field assessments at markets and communicating with the vendors. Her findings will then be analyzed to see if there are any major food safety gaps. The goal is to create recommendations for ways the NH DHHS can better educate the public on these topics, and for policy changes to increase food safety in NH. 

Jo Field
University of New Hampshire, PhD Natural Resources and Environmental Studies 
Host: New Hampshire Listens 

Jo is supporting New Hampshire Listen's ongoing engagement work for the NH Department of Environmental Services efforts to update the state's Climate Action Plan. She is working with the New Hampshire Listens team to design, deliver, and conduct data analysis on the outcomes of a series of stakeholder and community engagement efforts, with the goal of ensuring community needs, priorities, and barriers are incorporated into the final Climate Action Plan. Within this work, there is an emphasis to support and uplift the voices of Environmental Justice (EJ) communities and Low Income and Disadvantaged communities, in line with the federal Justice40 initiative goals. 

Isaiah Fowler
UC Santa Barbara's Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Master of Environmental Science and Management, specializing in Energy and Climate '24 
Host: Bristol Seafood 

Isaiah is working with Bristol Seafood to conduct a comprehensive life cycle assessment of select Bristol Seafood products to gain a deeper understanding of their impact in order to formulate and implement a plan to drive further improvement. Isaiah is immersed in the workings of a rapidly growing B Corp and will gain practical insights into sustainable business practices, certification processes, and the unique challenges and opportunities faced by such a rapidly growing B Corp. 

Honey Gala
Tufts University, M.S. Sustainability '25 
Host: Town of Amherst, MA 

Honey is working on a municipal fleet GHG Inventory and transition project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Town of Amherst, MA. The focus is on achieving ambitious targets for long-term environmental sustainability. This effort involves developing a detailed timeline for transitioning vehicles off fossil fuels and towards more sustainable alternatives. The town is dedicated to meeting its carbon reduction goals and advancing a sustainable and environmentally conscious future for the community. 

Alek Gasiel
Northern Illinois University, M.S. candidate, Geography ’24; Loyola University, M.B.A. Finance and Economics, ’00; Elmhurst College, B.S. Finance and Economics, ‘96 
Host: Wyman’s 

Alek is working to help Wyman’s pull together the GHG inventory for its U.S. operations (scope 1, 2, and upstream scope 3 emissions) and Canadian operations (scope 1 and 2 emissions). This effort aims to establish a comprehensive carbon footprint baseline. Additionally, Alek will develop methods to estimate downstream scope 3 emissions. Alek will draft a Climate Action Plan that proposes initiatives for reducing Wyman’s carbon footprint. 

Sophie Goodwin
University of New Hampshire, B.A. Sociology & Sustainability '24, M.A. Sociology '26  
Host: Town of Durham, NH 

Sophie is working with the Town of Durham, NH to update and implement the municipal Climate Action Plan for 2025-2030. Her work, which will continue through the academic year, involves leading meetings with the Climate Working Group as well as the Energy Committee, Conservation Commission, Agricultural Commission, Integrated Waste Management Advisory Committee, Town Council, and municipal department heads to foresee effective solutions and realistic goals. This will help the town prepare for and remediate climate impacts by providing capacity to plan, implement, and monitor municipal climate action goals. 

Prabhjot Grewal
Columbia University, B.A. Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, '21  
Host: Orvis

Prabhjot is analyzing Orvis's carbon footprint to help achieve the company’s goal of being carbon positive by 2030. She is focused on going more in depth into Orvis’s Scope 3 emissions to understand the hotspots, and using data to make informed, sustainability-oriented decisions for reduction. Additionally, the carbon reporting will be part of Orvis’s general impact report, and Prabhjot will assist in short-term and long-term climate action planning.

Bob Johnson
University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Master's in Sustainability Sciences: Environmental Quality, ‘24  
Host: Bangor Savings Bank 

Bob is working with the Strategic Initiatives group to research environmental management systems and create an Operational Sustainability Guidelines document.  As a regional mutual banking company, Bangor Savings Banks feels a responsibility to advance environmental quality, social equity, and economic opportunity on behalf of its stakeholders.  Bob's work is assisting the Strategic Initiative group document the many ways Bangor Savings is already achieving operational sustainability and to identify areas needing further development. 

Bailey Jones
University of New Hampshire, M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering ‘24 
Host: Unitil 

Bailey is assisting Unitil in their efforts to meet their 2030 carbon reduction goal by reducing emissions from their fleet. As a utility company, Unitil relies on their fleet to provide customer service and to respond to emergencies during storm events which means transitioning their fleet to one that relies on alternative fuels will be a major step forward for the company. Bailey will produce a fleet transition roadmap that makes clear the path Unitil must follow to meet their 2030 emission reduction goals for their fleet. 

Angie Kaufman
Yale University, Master of Environmental Management '26; Vermont Law & Graduate School, J.D. '27  
Host: The Climate Initiative 

Angie's work with The Climate Initiative (TCI) supports youth in engaging in local and tangible climate solutions. Through two main projects, she is furthering TCI's mission to educate, empower, and activate youth to take positive climate action. She is revising and adding to TCI's collection of state policy toolkits, which provide a landscape analysis of state climate policy and offer ways for youth to effectively engage with decision-makers. Angie is also crafting resources to support educators and students in developing plans at their schools to further climate initiatives. 

Judy Labib
Cambridge University (UK), MPhil of Engineering for Sustainable Development '25 
Host: Thornton Tomasetti 

Judy is working with Thornton Tomasetti to research lifecycle ethics in the built environment, encompassing material supply chains, life cycle analysis, and equitable construction practices. This involves tracing the journey of both interior and exterior materials from their raw state to applied construction and identifying stages where considerations regarding ethical labor and sourcing can be integrated. The often siloed AEC industry will benefit from Judy's work as she looks to other industries to study their approaches to similar issues. By conducting interviews with contractors and other professionals to gather data on the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting ethical practices, the goal is to develop a tangible and realistic plan to enhance the effectiveness of Thornton Tomasetti's mission to create a more sustainable and equitable built environment. 

Audrey Leong
University of Pittsburgh, B.S. Statistics, GIS Certificate '24 
Host: NH Department of Health and Human Services 

Audrey is working with the Division of Behavioral Health within New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to address long-term reductions in statewide behavioral health inequities among youth. Current disparities are evident in those experiencing substance misuse, mental health conditions, homelessness, and suicidal tendencies. By mapping existing prevention service regions alongside demographic risk data, Audrey will analyze where and what types of successful prevention strategies are in place and identify areas most in need of focused planning for future prevention resources. This project will help create a more equitable health landscape for youth in New Hampshire. 

Helen Liu
University of Rhode Island, Ph.D. Environmental & Natural Resource Economics '25; B.A. Environmental Analysis & Policy '17 
Host: Town of Concord, MA 

Helen is working with the Town of Concord, MA, to drive the expansion of public and municipal electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This involves reviewing policies from other municipalities, coordinating with various stakeholders and community members, and identifying locations and funding options to support the town’s EV infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Helen will also produce a report that outlines strategies and opportunities for municipal and public charging infrastructure. 

Ella Longacre
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Business Administration: Information Systems and Business Analytics, Sustainability Dual Major '26 
Host: Hypertherm Associates 

Ella is working with Hypertherm Associates on the Miyawaki Forest Plan and Implementation project. This initiative aims to demonstrate to both Hypertherm and the local community that creating a pocket forest is a cost-effective and impactful sustainability measure. It seeks to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity within the community. Ella is working with local groups and consultants who share similar interests to develop the project; she will also create internal communications to advocate and build support for the project's implementation. Ella is researching the resources required to create the forest and participate in the initial phases of the project’s implementation. The Miyawaki Forest will help bring awareness to a feasible sustainability solution for urban areas and serve as a model for other communities and organizations.  

Luiza Lucena
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, PhD Natural Resources Science and Management, minors in Business Administration and Development Studies & Social Change '26; MS Natural Resources Science and Management '23 Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, B.S. Forest Engineering  
Host: Low Impact Hydropower Institute 

Luiza is working to expand the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s (LIHI) certification program to include social and governance criteria. Her work involves conducting meta-analyses, gap analyses, reviews of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) international frameworks, and stakeholder interviews to recommend program enhancements. The overarching goal is to ensure hydropower projects protect the environment, support local communities, and uphold governance standards. This project aims to set a new benchmark for responsible energy production in the US. Luiza will develop a report presenting her findings and recommendations, contributing significantly to the hydropower industry. 

Amealia Maynard
University of Connecticut, Masters of Public Policy ’24; University of Connecticut, B.S. Applied and Resource Economics ‘23 
Host: Town of Groton, CT 

Amealia is creating a climate mitigation plan for local businesses under the guidance of the Town of Groton’s planning team. Amealia is researching climate hazards to which local businesses are vulnerable. As a coastal town, Groton businesses face climate challenges related to flooding due to sea level rise, along with increased storm surge. Amealia is communicating with key stakeholders and engaging local business owners to inform the final project: the strategy to mitigate climate hazards local businesses face in the Town of Groton. Amealia is assisting the town in sustaining the local business community, an integral part of their economy and culture. 

Molly Mikkonen
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Analytical Economics and B.A. International Affairs, ‘26 
Host: New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and Saint Anselm College Center for Ethics in Society  

Molly is working with the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and Saint Anselm College Center for Ethics in Society  to help bridge the gap in childcare available in New Hampshire. The organizations believe that home-based childcare can easily provide safe and affordable opportunities, particularly in small towns. The goal is to increase the number of childcare centers in New Hampshire and provide support to existing childcare providers and pinpoint the barriers they face. Molly is conducting a zoning analysis and identifying the legislative barriers home-based providers face. This will help provide more childcare options and reduce costs for working parents.  

Caitlin Mulcahey
UNH Law, J.D. '25; Arizona State University, M.A. History '21; California Polytechnic State University, B.A. Political Science, Pre-Law '18 
Host: NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence 

Caitlin is working with NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to observe trends in NH circuit courts and review protective order decisions from the NH Supreme Court to create a synthesized rule for when courts decide to grant both temporary and permanent protective orders. This information will guide Caitlin in creating a cohort of court advocates for survivors that will promote accessibility to the legal system in order to prevent violence and promote survivor safety. Drafting the advocate program includes determining what the advocates will need in order to do their job such as possible training and resources that will benefit both the advocates and the survivors as they navigate the legal process. 

Kamala Nasirova
University of New Hampshire, PhD Education: K12 Policy and Leadership ’25; MEd Saint Michael’s College, School Leadership ’20; B.A. Lankaran State University, Teaching English as a Foreign Language ‘11  
Host: New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility 

Kamala is working with NH Businesses for Social Responsibility to conduct research to understand how public-school funding inequities in New Hampshire have impacted educational outcomes and the skills available to build an innovation economy. She is collaborating with educational and fiscal policy organizations, as well as leading businesses, to generate research that can be used to build advocacy toolkits. This research aims to support the business case for changing the current inequitable education funding in the state, focusing on providing more support to school districts with greater needs. 

Justine Nwanakwere
University of New Hampshire, Ph.D. Economics: Environmental Economics (Sustainable Development of the Environment) '25 
Host: ReVision Energy 

Justine is working with ReVision Energy to develop predictive models for future EV charger utilization and cost projections. These models will support financial planning, enabling potential charging station owners in New England to make informed decisions and promote the electrification of transportation. 

Sam Nylen
University of Vermont, B.A. Economics: Environmental Economics, Political Science Dual Major '24  
Host: Piper Shores 

Sam is working with Piper Shores to make progress on its new sustainability plan. Sam is conducting a transportation survey to assess resident and staff travel habits that will provide insight into how to reduce carbon emissions in the sector. In addition, Sam is organizing an infrastructure waste audit to standardize collection, sorting, and disposal practices. He is working closely with Piper Shores' own Sustainability Collaborative to complete these studies and develop long-term strategies. Sam will summarize and produce a report on the methods, findings, and recommendations from both studies and present these to the community and senior leadership. 

Jennifer Punsalang-Cloutier
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Environmental Conservation & Sustainability '24  
Host: City of Concord, NH 

Jennifer is working with the City of Concord and the Concord Energy and Environment Advisory Committee to develop education and outreach materials regarding the upcoming community power and weatherize and solarize programs for Concord community members. Jennifer is also organizing various outreach and engagement events throughout the summer to roll out options and gather community feedback on the programs. Jennifer's work will aid Concord in meeting their goal of achieving 100% renewable energy for all electricity consumed in Concord by 2030. 

Durga Raja
University of New Hampshire, B.S Environmental and Resource Economics, Sustainability Dual Major '25  
Host: Placework 

Durga is using a case study approach to calculate the operational and embodied carbon of Placework's building designs. Durga's work aims to help Placework with their goal of net zero emissions in building projects, and the larger goal of eliminating carbon emissions in the built environment. The project includes applying the data and results found from the case study to create a tool that will inspire architects and designers to center impact reduction in their work. 

Margaret Rzucidlo
University of Massachusetts Amherst, M.S. Sustainability Science: Environmental Quality ’24; Fairfield University, B.S. Chemistry ‘23 
Host: Worthen Industries 

Margaret is calculating the Scope 3 carbon footprints for several individual products manufactured by Worthen Industries, a family-owned manufacturing company. The goal of this project is to calculate the indirect upstream and downstream emissions for several products and investigate ways to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency in the manufacturing process. The deliverables include an updated product carbon footprint spreadsheet tool and documentation on how to use it, along with cradle-to-gate carbon footprints for individual products with brief reports summarizing the methods. These tools and reports will be used in the future to continue calculating the carbon footprints of products and to communicate the results both internally and with customers. 

Jess Seibel
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Psychology, Sustainability Dual Major '24  
Host: Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee 

Jess is working on calculating Dean's Beans’ 2023 Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory. In addition to calculating their GHG Inventory, Jess will implement a Carbon Audit Framework that Dean's Beans can use in future years. Jess also will deliver actionable recommendations for Dean's Beans to lower their GHG emissions.

Assma Shabab
Johns Hopkins University, M.S. Environmental Science and Policy '25 
Host: Northeast Conservation Services 

Assma is working with Northeast Conservation Services to collect, attribute, and update new and existing land conservation records within New Hampshire’s coastal watershed. The data from this project will be incorporated into a statewide geospatial system. Assma’s work provides critical information to conservation organizations and planning entities to help decision-makers and stakeholders make informed conservation decisions and investments for the future. The information generated and produced from this project is invaluable to many business sectors in New Hampshire, including conservation, recreation, transportation, and economic development, among others. 

Maddie Smith
PhD Natural Resources and Earth Science Systems '25; Northeastern University, B.A. Photography with a Minor in Business Administration; University of New Hampshire, M.S. Outdoor Education '17  
Host: NH Community Development Finance Authority 

Maddie is continuing her summer 2023 work with NH CDFA, where she developed a methodology for conducting a statewide inventory of community centers as part of the Community facilities team. This summer, Maddie is building out the inventory of all of New Hampshire's community facilities and assessing their ability to meet the changing needs of the community. 

Jason Staples
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Analytics & Data Science, Sustainability Dual Major '25 
Host: City of Lebanon, NH 

Jason is working with the City of Lebanon, NH to create a database framework of their greenhouse gas footprint. In addition to a general understanding of the electricity and heating usage of the residents, Jason’s work is creating a better understanding of how income disparity has affected the ability of residents to update their heating systems to newer, more efficient options. This will enable the city to build a comprehensive plan to work with federal grant options to give these underprivileged residents more opportunities to replace outdated options with more efficient and sustainable ones. Jason will interact with the community to understand the circumstances and how to achieve a more equitable and sustainable future for Lebanon. 

Ellis Tonkin
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Business Administration: Management '25 
Host: Co-op Food Stores 

Ellis is working with Co-op Food Stores to create their first annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. Ellis is specifically focused on collecting data for the Co-op’s efforts in these three ESG categories, and creating a comprehensive report to display relevant information. Ellis is also working to make this report easily digestible to everyone both internally and externally, to paint a clear picture of the Co-op’s past, present, and future as a sustainable company. 

Pearl Tulay
Middlebury College, B.A. Environmental Writing, minor in Earth and Climate Sciences '24  
Host: Town of Lexington, MA 

Pearl is working with the town of Lexington, MA to create a public-facing online dashboard of sustainability data from Resilient Lexington, the town’s climate action and resilience plan. Currently the town does not have publicly available comprehensive data on its sustainability efforts. By creating an engaging and accessible website, this data will become easily available to the public, uplifting Lexington’s sustainability work from simple numbers on a graph into compelling narratives. The data dashboard will be an impactful capacity-building tool for current sustainability staff and volunteers in Lexington

Atchi Reddy Vemula
University of New Hampshire, MS: Business Analytics ’24; Goa Institute of Management, MBA: Big Data Analytics and Management ’21; K L University, Bachelor of Technology: Mechanical and Automobile ‘19  
Host: UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics 

Atchi is developing a Sustainability Analytics Datahub for UNH’s Paul College. Atchi is creating a comprehensive repository of sustainability-related data and resources for both research and teaching purposes. By compiling key performance indicators, corporate sustainability reports, and data from reputable organizations like the United Nations and World Bank, the project will support interdisciplinary faculty research and facilitate the integration of sustainability topics into courses. The datahub will focus on three main areas: environmental and natural resources, social equity and well-being, and the ethical implications of big data and AI. This initiative will enhance the understanding and application of sustainability principles within the academic community. 

MaryRose Wainaina
University of New Hampshire, B.A. Political Science and International Affairs Dual Major '25  
Host: Tavo Partners 

MaryRose is working with Tavo Partners to research a project focusing on two key areas: building a social franchise and promoting community wealth. Our goal is to create a sustainable entrepreneurial model that can be replicated to drive social impact and economic growth. MaryRose's research will also aid Tavo in understanding our role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, thus facilitating the development of their long-term vision. This work is crucial because it addresses social and equitable issues while being financially viable. Additionally, community wealth-building ensures economic development benefits everyone, particularly marginalized communities, fostering inclusivity and equity. 

Morgan Williams
University of New Hampshire, B.S Economics, Environment & Resource Economics, Sustainability Dual Major '24 
Host: Unitil 

Morgan is working with Unitil to conduct research on the electric sector as a whole with support from the Unitil team. With a primary focus on battery storage projects and other distributed energy projects, the goal is to give Unitil a business case for investing and supporting battery energy storage systems for consumers within the state. This includes a cost benefit analysis and supplementary materials. This project has potential to help support the portion of the distribution network that Unitil operates and the consumers who want to further their sustainability goals at home, or at the office. 

Natalie Young
University of New Hampshire, B.S. Equine Science: Pre-Vet, Sustainability Dual Major '25 
Host: Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership 

Natalie is working to optimize the food systems and composting facilities on Hurricane Island to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and maximize sustainability. Natalie is also partnering with the facilities, education, and research teams to support the island's educational value to island visitors and summer program participants. Additionally, Natalie is collaborating with the education team to develop new sustainability curriculum and co-leading an immersive sustainability leadership camp experience for high school students. 

Michal Zahorik
University of New Hampshire, Ph.D. Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science, ‘24
Host: Town of Eliot, ME 

Michal is helping the Town of Eliot to assess local vulnerability to climate change. With the support of the Community Action Grant, the town aims to address some of the most pressing issues related to climate change such as sea-level rise, riverine flooding, and re-occurring droughts. Michal’s main responsibility is to research potential resilience strategies, create GIS maps of climate-vulnerable areas, analyze surveys, and conduct stakeholder interviews.