ABQ Times

The Grand Challenges Climate Science Communication Fellowship is actively recruiting undergraduate students who are passionate about climate science and effective communication. The fellowship aims to enlist 10 to 12 students for its upcoming cohort, set to begin in the spring.

Kamryn Zachek, a senior majoring in Economics and Philosophy at UNM, leads the fellowship alongside assistant program coordinator Sydney Donohue. The initiative is directed by Anjali Mulchandani, an Assistant Professor of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering. Mulchandani has been recognized as one of the 2024 Faculty Mentored Research Awardees, along with Jake Greenberg from the University College’s Foundational Math program.

Participants in the fellowship receive a $1,000 stipend and collaborate with mentors on communication projects that address climate science issues. These projects can be based on either the student's own research or their faculty mentor's work. Students choose their preferred communication medium, such as paintings, podcasts, or videos, and present their projects at the UNM Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference (UROC) in the spring semester. Completed projects are also shared on UNM websites.

"This program is important for not just UNM students and staff, but also the greater community of Albuquerque because it creates an opportunity for learning and interacting with the research that is working to address an issue that affects all New Mexicans: sustainable water resources and climate change on the whole,” said Kamryn Zachek.

Originally named the Water Science Communication Fellowship, the program expanded this year to include a broader range of climate-related work. "The program title changed this year because we wanted to make the program more inclusive for staff conducting important climate-related work," explained Zachek.

Zachek emphasized that no prior experience is necessary to apply for these fellowship positions. Any undergraduate student from any department is welcome to apply without prerequisites.

Students participating in this fellowship can acquire skills like professional communication, public speaking, technical writing, and time management while engaging with mentors researching various aspects of climate science. They rank their preferred mentors based on research topics they find intriguing.

Applications for prospective fellows are currently open and accessible through the Undergraduate Research, Arts, and Design Network (URAD) website until December 1st.