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Graduating Seniors Future Steps

Posted by on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in spotlight.

Ellie Allain

Major(s): Climate Studies

Minor(s): Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Future Steps: Ellie Allain majored in Climate Studies with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainability and climate resilience through her academic studies, research, and hands-on fieldwork. Ellie’s passion for marine conservation and climate policy has been shaped by her immersive research experiences. Through the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program, she worked with an international research team to collect data on whale shark migration patterns and the impacts of tourism. She also collaborated with local island communities to assess how tourism and climate change affect marine biodiversity. Building on this experience, Ellie undertook a second research internship with the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) in Utila, Honduras, where she focused on Caribbean reef ecosystems, lionfish containment, and coral health while also addressing critical questions about the effects of climate change on marine habitats. Following her graduation, Ellie will pursue a master’s degree in Design of Sustainable Tourism Systems at the University of Florence. Driven by a deep respect for culture, nature, and community, she hopes to explore how tourism can be a tool for ecological restoration, cultural preservation, and regenerative design. Her goal is to help reimagine tourism systems that not only minimize harm but actively contribute to the wellbeing of people and the planet.

 

Gabrielle Kaplan

Major(s): Climate and Environmental Studies

Minor(s): Business & Sociology

Future Steps: Gabrielle Kaplan graduated from Vanderbilt in May 2025 with a degree in Climate Studies with minors in Business and Sociology. During her time at Vanderbilt, Gabrielle served as a research assistant under Dr. Hess, where she investigated local opposition to pipelines in Latin America and explored community responses to solar farm development in the U.S. and the UK. In addition to her academic research, she gained professional experience as a sustainability intern with the Nashville Metro Government’s Division of Sustainability. There, she played a key role in organizing public outreach efforts for the MetroConnect program and contributed to reporting on the city’s sustainability initiatives. Gabrielle’s studies ignited her passion for accelerating the renewable energy transition and contributing to a more sustainable planet. Following graduation, she will bring this commitment to her role as a Field Engineer in Mortenson’s Electric Vehicle and Microgrid division.