Twenty-seven UChicago undergraduates will hone their research skills this summer as the first cohort of Polsky Research Fellows. The new program, sponsored by the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy, is the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth’s first large-scale initiative providing full-time, paid research opportunities to University of Chicago undergraduates.
Polsky Research Fellowships will provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects in the disciplines of microbiology, data science, economics, environmental humanities, and more. In supporting faculty on their research, student research assistants will gain valuable understanding of the research process. They will also gain deep insight into critical climate, energy and environmental topics being explored by faculty across the University of Chicago.
“We have been blown away by the number of students interested in participating in Institute research,” says Michael Greenstone, director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth and the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics. “The Polsky Research Fellows program allows them to contribute to research that is producing new insights about the world. I can hardly wait to see how these experiences shape these future leaders.”
In addition to working closely with faculty as research assistants, Polsky Research Fellows will participate in lunch workshops to learn about other UChicago research, as well as social events to foster connections with their peers.
“Through this program, we’re helping to train a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will be at the forefront of the global energy transition,” says Michael Polsky, MBA ’87, Founder and CEO of Invenergy. “By combining education, hands-on research, and meaningful mentorship, we’re equipping students not just to understand the challenges ahead — but to lead the way in solving them.”
Read more about the first cohort of Polsky Research Fellows below.
Sumiye Allen
Mentor: Elisabeth Moyer, Associate Professor, Atmospheric Science
Sumiye Allen is an incoming second-year undergraduate interested in pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and the Geophysical Sciences. Her interests include the atmosphere, climate change, and climate and energy policy. Currently, she serves as a research assistant for Professor Elisabeth Moyer, working to quantify and visualize the history of energy use in the US.
Isabella Alnemri
Mentor: Luella Allen-Waller, Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecology & Evolution
Isabella Alnemri is a rising second-year in the College planning to major in Molecular Engineering. She is interested in exploring new solutions to increase the resilience of the natural world to the effects of climate change. She first became engaged with climate issues during her time at the Shedd Aquarium where she served as a Research Intern conducting experiments to understand how coral’s relationship with its symbiotic algae is impacted by ocean warming. Through her time at the University of Chicago, Isabella has worked to improve sustainability both on campus and throughout Chicago. Isabella is part of the Undergraduate Student Government’s Committee on Campus Sustainability (CCS) where she advocates for student concerns on campus transportation, water quality, and excess waste through data collection and conversations with University faculty. In CCS she has served as the project lead to implement composting in the dorm buildings beginning in Spring 2025. She has also worked on the Environmental Research Group’s research project on Transportation in Chicago, to provide policy recommendations to increase public transit ridership and accessibility in Chicago.
Henry Baldwin
Mentor: Benjamin Morgan, Associate Professor, English
Henry Baldwin is a rising fourth-year undergraduate studying Environment, Geography, & Urbanization (CEGU), as well as Linguistics. His past research interests have primarily involved place-making narratives in Chicago and elsewhere, with a particular focus on historic preservation of vulnerable sites on the South and West Sides. He has previously worked with visual and literary archival sources, and is currently pursuing a BA Thesis in Urban Environmental Studies, focused on economic and discourse-based approaches to the problems of gentrification. During the Summer Quarter, he is serving as an assistant to Dr. Benjamin Morgan, honing previous archival and humanistic skills in the realm of speculative climate and energy fiction.
Oscar Barnes
Mentor: Fiona Burlig, Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy
Oscar Barnes is a rising third year seeking a BA in Economics (with a specialization in Data Science) and a BS in Statistics at the College. Currently, he is serving as a research assistant under Assistant Professor Fiona Burlig and Executive Director Olga Rostapshova, contributing to the research initiatives at the Energy & Environment Lab for Summer 2025.
Constantino-Daniel Boscu
Mentor: Dorian Abbot, Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Constantino-Daniel Boscu is a rising second year studying Computational And Applied Mathematics (CAAM). He is deeply interested in modeling extreme weather events using generative machine learning algorithms and how such models can be implemented in the real world. Currently, he is a Research Assistant under Professor Dorian Abbot, developing AI emulators for the stratospheric polar vortex with Variational Auto-Encoders (VAE) in the upper atmosphere.
Haley Breslin
Mentor: Pedro Lopes, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Haley Breslin is a rising fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago, pursuing a joint major in Media Arts and Design (MADD) and Computer Science. Her work centers on user experience and sustainable computing. She is currently serving as a Research assistant in Professor Pedro Lopes’s Human-Computer Integration Lab, where she is contributing to a project aimed at making technology repair more accessible.
Yorik Chuang
Mentor: Dakota McCoy, Assistant Professor, Ecology & Evolution
Yorik Chuang is a rising second year from Taipei planning on studying Data Science and Political Science. He is passionate about effective government communication, environmental law and using quantitative methods to demonstrate the importance of policy-making. His research interests include the effects and efficacy of environmental policy, and the role of such regulations in international relations.
Yunah Chung
Mentor: Hyuk-soo Kwon, Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy
Yunah Chung is a rising second-year undergraduate pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Business Economics with a minor in Cognitive Science. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of technology and environmental sustainability, a focus shaped by her experience working with nonprofits addressing food waste and composting. Yunah will join the University of Chicago’s Institute of Climate and Sustainability this summer as a research assistant, where she will study how federal and state-level electric vehicle (EV) policies interact and assess how Hyundai’s influence over South Korea’s used-vehicle market may impact EV adoption.
Azeem Currah
Mentor: John Anderson, Professor, Chemistry
Azeem Currah is a rising junior chemistry student with a deep commitment to scientific innovation regarding environmental sustainability. His academic and career aspirations focus on addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable development through materials chemistry and catalysis. Azeem is particularly interested in the development of scalable clean energy solutions and innovative approaches to greenhouse gas management, as well as materials for heavy metal sensing applications. Azeem’s long-term goal is to foster innovative solutions that harmonize technological progress with environmental stewardship, aligning closely with the mission of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth.
Francesca Gossett
Mentor: Chibueze Amanchukwu, Assistant Professor, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Francesca Gossett is a rising fourth-year Molecular Engineering student on the Chemical track with a specialization in Renewable Energy and Water Resources Engineering. Her current research focuses on using novel electrochemical techniques to degrade PFAS “forever chemicals” as part of Dr. Chibueze Amanchukwu’s battery technology lab. Her background in sustainability and passion for ameliorating ecosystem and human health fuel her research and studies in the College.
Daniel Hernandez
Mentor: Dorian Abbot, Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Daniel Hernandez is a rising second-year Computer Science major specializing in machine learning, with a minor in data science, and a member of the UChicago track and field team. He also plans to pursue the CS BS/Mx program at UChicago. As a summer research assistant for Professor Abbot, he will conduct research on developing AI-driven emulation tools for extreme climate events. In this role, he is excited to gain hands-on experience with scalable machine‐learning frameworks and exploring the intersection of AI and climate science, all while contributing to methods that inform resilient policy and adaptation strategies.
Caroline Hou
Mentor: Anna Wuttig, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Caroline Hou is a rising third-year undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry at the University of Chicago. Her strong interest in catalyst and energy research has inspired her previous research on photocatalysis for carbon dioxide reduction and noble active electrode materials for sodium batteries. She is now focused on the study of self-assembly electrocatalysts with the application of small molecule reduction reaction, such as ORR. Currently, she is working as an undergraduate student research assistant in Professor Anna Wuttig’s lab under the Department of Chemistry.
Laura Husband
Mentor: Eyal Frank, Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy
Laura Husband is a recent graduate from the College studying Economics and Environmental Science. Her research interests lie at the intersection of energy, climate policy, and environmental economics, with a focus on clean energy transitions. She will be working with Professor Eyal Frank on a research project estimating methane emissions from factory farms and evaluating the impact of anaerobic digesters.
Luke von Kapff
Mentor: B.B. Cael, Assistant Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Luke von Kapff graduated from The College in the Spring double-majoring in Physics and Data Science. He has experience using data analysis to drive decision-making in both the public and private sectors. Most recently he worked on implementing deep learning image segmentation models to microscopy data. Interdisciplinary approaches particularly excite Luke, especially using data science to answer questions about Earth’s physical processes. This summer he will be working with Professor B.B. Cael to model wildfire size distribution using empirical data.
Hazal Kara
Mentors: B.B. Cael, Assistant Professor, Geophysical Sciences, and Mary Silber, Professor, Statistics
Hazal Kara is a rising fourth year in the College, majoring in mathematics. Hazal’s main research interest is in dynamical systems applied to ecological models, using numerical and analytical methods. They have been working with Prof. Mary Silber in the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics (CCAM) since June 2024 and have presented a poster on a random kick-flow model of a savanna-wildfire system at the SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems in May 2025.
Rafe Knight
Mentor: B.B. Cael, Assistant Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Rafe Knight is rising fourth year in the college studying Math and Geophysical Sciences. His interests involve applying idealized mathematical models to paleoclimate. He is particularly interested in the dynamics of the carbon cycle when perturbed from steady state and the carbonate buffer system. He is working with Professor B.B. Cael to constrain the weathering sensitivity over the Cenozoic and the broader Phanerozoic.
Wael Kouki
Mentor: Linta Reji, Assistant Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Wael Kouki is a rising third-year Geophysics major driven by a deep interest in understanding and addressing climate-related challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. His academic focus bridges geophysics, biology, and applied mathematics to model complex environmental systems. He is especially drawn to extreme environments and the dynamic interplay between organic and inorganic systems that shape them. Wael’s scientific foundation includes experience in genetic analysis and molecular phylogenetics through his work on the Plant and Fungal Trees of Life Project (PAFTOL) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There, he resolved the taxonomy of multiple species endemic to Madagascar, with findings that directly supported IUPAC red listing efforts, contributing to global conservation assessments. Wael is passionate about applying scientific theory to real-world challenges, particularly those related to environmental change. This summer, Wael will be working with Dr. Linta Reji to study how hydrological fluctuations shape microbial communities aiming to better understand the sensitivity and resilience of wetland ecosystems to changing water levels. A firm believer in the power of cross-disciplinary thinking, Wael brings a systems-level approach to tackling some of the most urgent environmental problems of our time.
Maya Martinez
Mentor: Laura Gagliardi, Professor, Chemistry
Maya Martinez is a rising third-year undergraduate student at The University of Chicago studying chemistry and business economics. She is passionate about renewable energy and learning how to prioritize economic growth while developing clean energy solutions. Maya interned last summer at the Marine Biological Laboratory as a research assistant where she developed and tested kelp-based biofuels. On campus, she is a member of the Energy and Climate Club and varsity softball team.
Rudra Patel
Mentor: Elisabeth Moyer, Associate Professor, Atmospheric Science
Rudra Patel is a rising third-year student majoring in Economics and Data Science with a minor in chemistry. He is passionate about data-driven research, particularly in the areas of energy, sustainability, and environmental policy. On campus, he is an active member of the Phoenix Sustainability Initiative, where he works with a team to promote sustainable practices, and the Environmental Research Group, with whom he co-authored a paper on optimal transport in Chicago. He also has a strong personal interest in animal conservation and recently completed an internship with the Illinois Environmental Council, where he assessed the impact of conservation legislation in the Chicago area. This summer, Rudra will be a research assistant for Professor Liz Moyer, contributing to Mapping the Energy Use of the USA.
Harmonie Ramsden
Mentor: Emily Talen, Professor, Division of the Social Sciences
Harmonie Ramsden is a rising third-year student at the College, majoring in Environment, Geography, & Urbanization and minoring in Architectural Studies. Harmonie has a background in communications and planning. This past summer, she worked as a Transit Planning Intern at the Town of Chapel Hill. Harmonie is currently working with the Black Southland cohort, researching the history of Black Chicagolanders in the 20th century. Harmonie is passionate about building livable, accessible, and sustainable communities.
Jay Shen
Mentor: Dorian Abbot, Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Jay Shen is a rising fourth-year physics and computer science major at the University of Chicago. His background is highly quantitative and research-intensive, with an emphasis on math, physics, and computer science. Currently, Jay is designing deep learning models to accomplish tasks in a drug-design workflow, whether that be property prediction or candidate generation. Jay is also interested in physics for dynamical systems, especially as relevant to topics in physics and geophysics.
Zoe Springsteen
Mentor: Eric Richert, Assistant Professor, Economics
Zoe Springsteen, from Anchorage, Alaska, is a rising third-year undergraduate pursuing a B.A. in Economics and Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU). She has professional experience with Strategy North Group, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, and ClearView Energy Partners, focusing on energy markets, grid reliability, Arctic policy, and renewable energy. Zoe serves as Director of Partnerships for the Energy Terminal and Co-Director of Professional Development for the UChicago Energy and Climate Club (ECC), in addition to her role as Head of The Economic Weekly Podcast at the Chicago Economics Forum. This summer, Zoe will pursue energy market research with Assistant Professor Eric Richert at the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, further developing her skills in data science and rigorous analysis of industry trends.
Elena Tiedens
Mentor: Elizabeth Chatterjee, Assistant Professor, History
Elena Tiedens is a recent graduate from the College with a major in History with a concentration in Environmental History, and a minor in Russian and Eastern European Studies. She is particularly interested in energy history and so is excited to work for Professor Elizabeth Chatterjee on her project on the 1970s oil shocks. Elena has also held internships in domestic and international environmental policy and law at the Wilderness Society and the Earth Law Center. Following her time at UChicago, Elena has been selected as a Gates Cambridge scholar to study the environmental and energy history of the Arctic.
McKenzie Toomey
Mentor: Raymond Lodato, Associate Instructional Professor, Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization
McKenzie Toomey is a rising third-year student majoring in Chemistry and Business Economics. She has previously worked as a Climate Action Planning intern with a non-profit named Sustainability Ambassadors, where she designed a video series on the City of Bellevue’s Environmental Stewardship Plan and executed an additional series on green building practices like geothermal ground loops and air-source heat pumps. McKenzie is excited to continue her work with Professor Lodato by supporting his research and preparation of an Environmental Policy textbook this summer. She plans to carry the research skills and environmental knowledge gained into her future career at the intersection of sustainability and finance.
Fabio Ventura
Mentor: Dorian Abbot, Professor, Geophysical Sciences
Fabio Ventura is a rising second-year Computer Science student pursuing a BA in Computer Science. For the past year, Ventura has been engaged in research under the guidance of Professor Dorian Abbot, focusing on the emulation of climate models using artificial intelligence. Through his work, Ventura has developed experience in scientific computing, AI model development, software engineering and climate systems analysis. In the Summer of 2025, Ventura will continue to serve as a Student Research Assistant at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, where he will be contributing to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of climate science and machine learning.
Mel Xiao
Mentor: Hajin Kim, Assistant Professor, Law School
Mel Xiao is a rising second-year Mathematics student at the University of Chicago. Previously, Mel worked as a research intern at the University of Calgary’s Mathematical and Computational Finance Lab, studying the application of stochastic processes to wind derivative pricing. Mel also worked as a research assistant at the Werklund School of Education, contributing to a literature review examining girls’ performance in standardized math testing. Mel is passionate about researching the use of complex models to model real-world problems in the sustainability sector.
William Zheng
Mentor: Da Yang, Assistant Professor, Geophysical Sciences
William Zheng is a rising third-year undergraduate majoring in Physics and Statistics. He has a strong interest in machine learning and reinforcement learning, particularly in their applications to physics research. This summer, he will be conducting research in Professor Da Yang’s group, focusing on the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). His work will involve using machine learning techniques to forecast the MJO and interpreting the models to uncover patterns and underlying mechanisms of this complex weather system.