Meet the EFCampus Research Assistants. EFCampus is the campus-based component of the Environmental Frontiers initiative, enabling students to use campus data as a case study for understanding a path to a more sustainable future. Undergraduate Research Assistants will work remotely in partnership with the University of Chicago’s Facilities Services’ Office of Sustainability, the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU), the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP), and the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation on projects analyzing energy system data to consider opportunities to create energy-savings and reduce excess consumption on campus and beyond.
Urvaj Shah
Graduate Student Lead
Urvaj Shah is a candidate in the Master’s in Applied Data Science program at the University of Chicago and the graduate student lead for EF Campus, working on data and project management. Leading a team of undergraduate research assistants, Urvaj aims to foster innovative thinking and create a brighter future by adopting a dynamic approach to harnessing the abundance of available data and introducing sustainable and energy-efficient systems to the university.
Ellen Ma
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis
Ellen is a third-year majoring in Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies. She is interested in urban development and sustainable building design, and she is also looking into agrotech and sustainable food innovation. Ellen is currently co-president of the Phoenix Sustainability Initiative and has fulfilled service and leadership roles within the organization for the past three years. Having worked in numerous labs, Ellen has observed inefficient and wasteful laboratory practices and hopes to mitigate them through the Lab Project.
Raghav Pardasani
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis
Raghav is a third-year majoring in Economics and Environmental Studies. Raghav is part of the Phoenix Sustainability Initiative, the founder of the newly-formed Energy & Climate Club, and has participated in various climate conferences and treks, including COP27 in Egypt. Raghav is also working at the Illinois Environmental Council this summer and previously worked at Calvert Impact Capital, an impact investing firm. He wishes to pursue a career in the energy industry to accelerate the transition to a greener grid. He is excited to work with his peers and a variety of stakeholders to contribute to efforts to reduce the University’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Julie Pichonnat
Booth School of Business Air Travel Emissions Analysis
Julie is a second-year majoring in environmental science and environment, geography, and urbanization. Specifically, she is interested in studying sustainable infrastructure design that addresses climate resiliency and social inequity. Julie has previously worked with environmental advocacy groups and has spent her first year at UChicago developing her skills in spatial data analysis. This Summer, she is looking forward to collaborating with other RAs and contributing to sustainability efforts at UChicago while further growing her skills in research
Will Sampson
Will is a fourth-year in The College pursuing majors in Economics and Environmental Studies. From Houston, Texas he has strong interests in the energy industry, specifically surrounding the renewable and clean energy space. On campus, Will has been involved in the UChicago Socially Responsible Investing Group and is a member of the Varsity Swim Team. This summer, Will looks forward to working alongside peers and stakeholders to apply quantitative and qualitative analytical skills furthering a green future for the University.