2022 Clean Energy Mentees
Meet this year’s cohort of Clean Energy Mentees!
Jennifer Duong
Jennifer is a rising senior at the City College of New York majoring in environmental engineering and minoring in economics. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and enjoys spending her free time exploring the city with friends and family. She loves trying new foods, biking, and painting. Jennifer’s one-on-one mentor is Patrick Owusu.
Alexander Ellis
Alexander is a rising junior at Cornell University, majoring in Operations Research Engineering with a minor in Law and Society. From a very young age, he's been driven to do something about climate change. Even when his aspirations changed, from Materials Science to Politics, that desire to make the world better remained his foundation. He loves dancing, singing, long walks on the beach, and non-specific hangouts with his friends. Alexander's one-on-one mentor is Nick Cavallo.
Noemi Florea
Noemi Florea is a rising fifth-year student in The New School's five-year dual-degree BA/BFA program. She is receiving a BFA from Parsons School of Design in Integrated Design and Sustainable Cities, and a BA from Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts in Environmental Studies and Economics. Her studies coalesce into “sustainable design,” in which she applies ecological considerations, such as life cycle analyses and material composition, to well-designed products that function within equitable social systems. Noemi’s one-on-one mentor is Zineb Bouzoubaa.
Osvaldo Garcia
Osvaldo is a senior at Baruch College studying Public Affairs with minor in Journalism and Communications. He grew up in the South Bronx and is determined to create more sustainable cities with a focus on environmental justice. In his free-time he plays the ukulele and loves exploring the city. Osvaldo’s one-on-one mentor is Tobi Koyejo.
Scarlet Gonzalez
Scarlett is a rising senior at New York University studying Environmental Studies and Public Policy. She was raised in rural Indiana and is passionate about developing renewable energy policy that centers justice and accessibility. In her free time, she enjoys film photography, reading, and knitting. Scarlett’s one-on-one mentor is Jessamine de Ocampo.
Palak Jauhari
Palak is a rising senior at New York University studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Sustainable Urban Environments. Her research focus at NYU is solar cells and optoelectronic materials. She was born in India and spent most of her life in Oman before moving to the United States for high school. In her free time, Palak enjoys walking the Brooklyn Bridge and learning French. Palak’s one-on-one mentor is Ankit Kalanki.
Isabel Leslie
Issy is a rising senior at the University of Rochester studying Anthropology and Economics. She grew up in the Lower Hudson Valley and is especially interested in energy development and financing, specifically sustainable early development practices and equitable and effective placement of energy-related machinery. Outside of academics, she enjoys hosting her weekly radio show, Medieval Hazmat Suit, and curating fun but unusual playlists. Isabel’s one-on-one mentor is Walter Alarkon.
Julie Margolin
Julie is a senior at Baruch College majoring in Statistics & Quantitative Modeling with minors in Business Law and NYC Studies. She is a proud Brooklyn native and wants her career to benefit the over-burdened communities in the five boroughs. She is passionate about driving sustainability utilizing the financial sector and hopes to pursue a career in energy markets. Julie’s one-on-one mentor is William Layden.
Esmirna Mateo
Esmirna is a rising senior at the City College of New York, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Earth Systems Science. She was raised in The Bronx where she became aware of the connection's environmental racism is in low-income neighborhoods through a political lens. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, acting, and playing video games. Esmirna’s one-on-one mentor is Gretchen Bradley.
Jonathan Smilovich
Jonathan is a Senior majoring in Environmental Engineering with a double minor in both Economics and Administration Management at the City College of New York. He was born and raised in Long Island and is extremely passionate about decarbonizing our current infrastructure here in NYC. Jonathan loves to connect with people, make new relationships, and bring awareness towards climate issues plaguing our planet. Jonathan’s one-on-one mentor is Fatou Jabbie.
Niccolo Valente
Nicco is a senior at CCNY where he studies Environmental Engineering. He is pursuing minors in mathematics and public policy and hopes to work in the public sector when he graduates. His non-academic interests include cycling, reading, and hiking. Nicco’s one-on-one mentor is Isabelle Branco-Lo.
Brian Xu
Brian is a rising junior at New York University Stern School of Business concentrating in Finance and Sustainable Business. He currently lives in Long Island City is passionate about anything related to investing in and financing the energy transition. In his free time, he loves cooking and biking around the city. Brian’s one-on-one mentor is Goksenin Ozturkeri.
Check out the cohort of 2022 Mentors and Career Specialists here.