In 2022, the Environmental Institute launched a program to bring postdoctoral researchers focused on climate change, its impacts on people and environments, and solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation to the University of Virginia. These scholars, called “Climate Fellows,” have enriched UVA’s understanding of climate and related research.

Since inception, the Institute has hosted 17 fellows from 16 universities and 10 countries and, in a few short years, launched five fellows into prestigious positions to continue their contributions to local, national, and international climate research. Climate Fellows participate in interdisciplinary research teams across UVA to advance solutions and innovation.

"When people think about environmental issues they probably don't think of Mechanical Engineers,” shared previous Climate Fellow Daniel Rau. “The reality is modern problems are extremely complex, and they require an ‘all hands-on deck’ approach to solving them. My time at the Environmental Institute opened my eyes to this approach -- people from all backgrounds and perspectives are needed. I, a Mechanical Engineer, came together at the EI with researchers who had backgrounds ranging from urban planners to political scientists to work together on these issues."

While at the University, each Fellow is mentored by a cross-disciplinary team of at least two faculty members affiliated with the Institute. The faculty mentors are selected from 30 departments in 12 schools. The Fellows bring a new dimension to the work of their mentors while also deepening their own research portfolio.

“Sergio [Casas] played an important role in working across research groups at UVA, building bridges and connections across projects,” shared Jon Goodall, Casas’ mentor. “For example, Sergio’s research contributed to two different NSF Coastlines and People grants awarded to UVA by building water resource models of both groundwater systems in the Eastern Shore of Virginia and rainfall/runoff processes for urbanized watersheds in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He was also an important member of my research group in engineering, providing leadership in graduate student mentoring and helping to prepare proposals to external funding opportunities.”

The Climate Fellows program has offered various kinds of support beyond research work. Fellows attended courses on new research technologies, workshops on interdisciplinary research skills, and were given professional development opportunities (such as interviewing, presenting a job talk, and preparing a professional resume). The Fellows also engaged in social events, including an evening at a pinball arcade, a visit to a popular apple orchard, and a special tour of UVA’s historic Grounds.

Fangfang Yao, a Climate Fellow since 2023 who will be leaving in early 2025, shared, “I had opportunities to work with great colleagues, attend many professional activities, and teach courses in water resources. I also had some fun time with fellow postdocs! All of these are important for my career development.”

“I am particularly grateful for the support from my mentor Professor Larry Band,” Yao added. “For example, I reached out him regarding to a letter for my application to the Early Career Scholars Award in Remote Sensing by American Association of Geographers (AAG), and he immediately provided me all his support. Later, I was selected as the recipient of this award!”

As they transition out the program, the Climate Fellows will bring what they have learned at UVA to other organizations and academic institutions to continue their work.

The Institute is proud to announce the recent job placements of the following Fellows:

“I am very pleased about the successes of the Environmental Institute’s Climate Fellows both here at UVA and in securing exciting new positions that advance their careers,” said Karen McGlathery, director of the Environmental Institute. “Their work showcases how the Institute is training the next generation of leaders in climate research and translation to action at local to global scales.”