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The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) is thrilled to announce the selection of the second cohort of Columbia Global Energy Fellows. Following last year’s success of its inaugural group, this year-long program continues to provide 20 Columbia graduate students with unparalleled access to a diverse community of experts, professional development opportunities, and funding for summer internships, to help pave the way towards impactful careers focused on energy and climate issues.
Building on Columbia University’s rich interdisciplinary environment, the Columbia Global Energy Fellows program brings together students from various graduate schools within the university, including the Law School, the Engineering School, the Business School, and the Climate School. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, the program equips fellows with the critical thinking skills necessary to tackle global challenges in energy and climate policy.
“We cannot navigate today’s complex energy and climate crises without training younger generations and providing the leaders of the future the tools they need to address our evolving global energy transition,” said Jason Bordoff, Founding Director of CGEP. “Columbia University is known for academic excellence, and through the Global Energy Fellows program, students interact directly with experts, industry trailblazers, and former government officials to gain insights into the energy and climate landscape. We’re thrilled to see last year’s cohort already thriving in their new roles, and we can’t wait to see where this year’s group goes.”
The second cohort of Columbia Global Energy Fellows will participate in a range of activities, including luncheons with CGEP experts and Distinguished Visiting Fellows, career development workshops, networking events, and a field trip. Additionally, fellows will receive job search assistance and full funding for summer internships in the energy and climate sector.
“The fellowship was one of the most remarkable opportunities of my time at Columbia,” said Luma Dias, a Columbia SIPA student and member of the 2023 cohort. “Participating in this program granted me a unique chance to strategize the next steps of my career with the comprehensive and expert support of CGEP. I am eager to return to my country and apply what I have learned from the classes and technical visits which allow me to help contribute to the decarbonization of the Brazilian economy.”
“One of the most exciting aspects of the fellowship was the eight-week internship requirement,” said Frank Agwuncha, who has since completed his M.S. in Sustainability Management and is a native of Nigeria. “I was an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellow, where I worked with Vertical Bridge to develop their net-zero strategy. The experience allowed me to apply the knowledge gained from CGEP and Columbia University, and I was awarded the business case award by EDF for my work. The fellowship profoundly shaped my Columbia experience and my future career path. I sit on the EDF Climate Corps Alumni Advisory Board. I am immensely grateful to CGEP for investing in my future and exposing me to world-class research and networking opportunities. I am eager to pay forward this privilege in the future in various ways.”
“The Global Energy Fellowship was instrumental in my growth as an academic in the energy space,” said Kristina Nabayan, a current Ph.D candidate at Columbia Engineering. “As a scientist working on energy storage, I found it very helpful to be in a space with policy, law, and business students who could fill the gaps in my knowledge surrounding energy policy. The diversity of the group made the conversations and learning inclusive and relevant. In addition to all the knowledge I gained this year, a key takeaway from this fellowship was the friendships. This fellowship gave me a community of wholesome people who share my passions for justice and energy security. I have made deep, meaningful connections through this program that I know will last a lifetime.”
This year’s group of students are:
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