Graduating Seniors Future Steps
Maya Maciel-Seidman
Major(s): Earth and Environmental Sciences
Minor(s): Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Data Science
Future Steps: Maya Maciel-Seidman majored in Earth and Environmental Sciences and minored in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Data Science. During her time at Vanderbilt, she conducted research in the Climate, Health, and Energy Equity Lab (CHEEL), culminating in “Mobilizing carbon offsetting to reduce energy cost burdens: a new approach for calculating and monetizing the offset value of energy efficiency upgrades to low-income housing,” a first-authored publication in Frontiers in Energy Research. Her CHEEL research led to some of her most influential learning experiences and fostered some of her closest friendships at Vanderbilt. In addition to CHEEL, Maya has conducted research on the response of ice wedge polygons to climate change in arctic Alaska at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Remote Sensing Division. After graduation, Maya will be returning to the Naval Research Lab and conducting fieldwork in Alaska during the summer of 2025. Beginning in the fall of 2025, she will be pursuing a PhD in Earth and Climate Sciences at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, to study satellite remote sensing of the Greenland ice sheet. She is excited for this next chapter but will greatly miss her Climate and Environmental Studies friends and professors.
Sarah Driscoll
Major(s): Chemical Engineering; Climate Studies
Minor(s): Chemistry
Future Steps: Sarah Driscoll graduated with a double major in Chemical Engineering and Climate Studies and a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in clean energy and its role in creating a more sustainable future. Her interest in energy has led her to work in several research labs on campus and pursue internships at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she learned about new avenues of clean energy. One of her favorite experiences as a Climate Studies major was having the ability to go abroad to Copenhagen, Denmark, in her junior year to learn about a European approach to decarbonizing the economy. Through her research and coursework, Sarah developed a strong interest in nuclear energy. After graduation, Sarah will begin a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where she hopes to continue advancing clean energy technologies.
Pragya Shah
Major(s): Climate Studies
Minor(s): Data Science
Future Steps: Pragya Shah graduated with a major in Climate Studies and a minor in Data Science. During her time at Vanderbilt, she served as the Climate Studies Ambassador, helping her fellow students navigate the sustainability and environmental space. In addition, she worked as an undergraduate researcher for the Climate, Health, and Energy Equity Lab under Dr. Tzankova, exploring the viability of secondhand retail markets in reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Following graduation, Pragya will be pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at Duke University to continue building on her interest in climate and energy policy and sustainable transitions. She is truly grateful for all the support and guidance of the professors in the Climate and Environmental Studies department.