Meet Our 2024-2025 Student Scholars
Our student scholars drive innovation and research across diverse fields of sustainability. From Chevron Energy Fellows pioneering energy solutions to Fondren Fellows advancing environmental research and dedicated interns tackling real-world challenges, these students are the next generation of sustainability leaders. Explore their impactful work and contributions that are shaping a more sustainable future.
Rice Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows
The Rice Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship, established through a partnership between the Rice Sustainability Institute and Chevron, supports ten graduate students with $10,000 each for the 2024-25 academic year. These fellows are engaged in pioneering research addressing critical energy challenges, including sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling, green hydrogen production, and carbon capture technologies.
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2024-25 Fondren Fellows
The Fondren Fellows are delving into creosote's environmental and health impacts, a common industrial wood preservative, through research that addresses historical pollution in local communities. Their work aims to shed light on the legacy of creosote contamination and explore pathways toward remediation and environmental justice.
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- Fondren Fellows Project
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The Creosote Contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward project, mentored by Carrie Masiello and Lisa Spiro, led by Fondren Fellows, aims to create a comprehensive, accessible collection of documents and narratives surrounding the environmental and health crisis in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens. These areas, designated as cancer clusters by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), suffer from contamination due to decades of creosote and other chemical usage. This project will assemble, describe, and preserve historical documents, community stories, and other resources to aid future research and public awareness. The collection will be available through Rice’s digital repository, with additional contributions like videos, oral histories, and explainers.
- Fondren Fellows Mentors
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Lisa Spiro
The "Creosote Contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward" project is also mentored by Dr. Lisa Spiro, Executive Director of Digital Scholarship Services at Rice University. Her expertise in digital scholarship and archiving enriches the project, guiding students in the collection, organization, and accessibility of valuable historical and environmental data for future research and public access.
Qilin Li
Dr. Qilin Li, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, serves as a mentor for the "Creosote Contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward" project. With expertise in environmental engineering and water quality, Dr. Li guides students in understanding the scientific aspects of creosote contamination, helping them analyze the environmental impacts and health implications for affected communities.
Carrie Masiello
The "Creosote Contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward" project is mentored by Dr. Carrie Masiello, Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and Director of the Rice Sustainability Institute. Her guidance ensures that the project aligns with scientific rigor and community-focused sustainability goals, providing students with expert mentorship as they navigate environmental science, public policy, and community engagement.
Weston Twardoswki
Dr. Weston Twardowski, Associate Director of both the Center for Environmental Studies and the Rice Sustainability Institute’s EcoStudio, mentors the "Creosote Contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward" project by guiding students in effective environmental storytelling. His dual roles support fellows in crafting narratives that connect scientific insights with community experiences, fostering broader awareness of environmental justice issues.