Graduating Seniors Future Steps
Major(s): Economics and History
Minor(s): Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Future Steps: Shaun Karakkattu majored in Economics and History, with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. One of his best memories in the department was presenting at COP28 in Dubai, where he represented Vanderbilt and the Nadam Foundation, and participated in discussions of the role of youth in climate education. He served as a Climate Leaders Academy Fellow and was deeply involved in international climate policy, focusing on climate finance and sustainable development.
Building on that experience, Shaun led the production of Imagine Land 2040, the first AI-generated short film for the United Nations, which will premiere at both COP16 in Riyadh and COP29 in Baku. The film blends climate education with youth imagination and has been supported by global organizations, including the G20 Global Land Initiative and the UNCCD. Shaun also served as the North American Youth Focal Point for the UNCCD Youth Caucus, helping connect youth across the region to high-level environmental forums. Additionally, through his work with the UN Foundation, he contributed to projects at the intersection of climate change and malaria, exploring the health impacts of environmental degradation and the role of youth in addressing them. After graduation, Shaun is co-founding Atlog, a Y Combinator-backed startup building AI-powered version tracking and knowledge tools to help teams manage information, reduce duplicative work, and unlock institutional memory across industries.
Keshab Gatehouse
Major(s): Chemical Engineering, Climate Studies
Future Steps: Keshab graduated with a B.A. in Climate Studies and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He is interested in using the social and political insights from his climate studies background and his engineering expertise to advance renewable energy and energy transition solutions. During his time in the Climate Studies program at Vanderbilt, he enjoyed a broad range of classes including Environmental Chemistry, Climate Fiction, and NGOs, Society, and Climate Change. He also helped grow the Energy Transition Society on campus as its president, connecting students interested in energy and sustainability with other like-minded students and alumni. Professionally, Keshab gained valuable experience working for a green hydrogen developer, an energy consulting company, and a global lithium producer serving the growing battery industry. Following graduation, he will be in New York City consulting energy providers and utilities to help them improve energy efficiency and meet sustainability goals. His long-term vision is to work on transformative energy projects that equitably shape the future of the global energy system.