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 UChicago’s Offices of Facilities Services and Campus Sustainability, the Program on the Global Environment, and the Center for Robust Decision-making on Climate and Energy Policy (RDCEP) on projects analyzing energy system data to consider opportunities to create energy-savings and reduce excess consumption on campus and beyond.
Jesse Altman
Graduate Student Lead
Jesse Altman is a second-year MPP candidate at the Harris School of Public Policy. He graduated in 2016 with an economics and international relations degree from Tufts University. Prior to coming to UChicago, Jesse spent two years working at a literacy mentorship non-profit in Chicago and, before that, two years serving in Peace Corps Morocco in the youth development sector. Jesse believes evidence-based, sustainable energy and environmental policies are critical in creating a more equitable world and is dedicated to pursuing that goal. Jesse is from Chicago and enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with his foster dog, Ruby.
Shweta Nanda
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Sustainability Dashboards Analysis and Design
Shweta is a third-year majoring in public policy and sociology interested in international development. In particular, Shweta is focused on development economics including strategies to reduce poverty and bridge inequalities in urban areas. Shweta has previously worked with non-profits and ESG investing firms. She is looking forward to building her data analysis skills while researching sustainability at UChicago.
Izzy Romanucci
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Sustainability Dashboards Analysis and Design
Izzy Romanucci is a fourth-year Environmental Science major. She is interested in applying her data analysis and problem-solving skills to support institutions’ sustainable strategies. In Summer 2021, Izzy served as a Data Analyst Intern with Water for Good, an NGO focused on supplying clean water to the Central African Republic. She utilized several sources of data to advance efficient distribution and long-term access to this basic necessity. With a demonstrated enthusiasm for environmental causes, she was also invited to participate in the Aspen Institute’s inaugural Future Leaders Climate Summit. There, she collaborated on innovative solutions to the climate crisis and designed an action-plan for her community. Izzy looks forward to building upon these skills and interests with EFCampus this summer.
Mark Siedentopf
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Sustainability Dashboards Analysis and Design
Mark is a rising fourth year majoring in Public Policy Studies and Urban Studies. As a member of the Environmental Research Group’s policy team on UChicago’s campus, he enjoys looking at the effectiveness of global climate agreements as well as how different policies affect sustainability. Mark is excited to engage with other students and use their input to continue helping the University reach its sustainability goals that will benefit the entire College community. In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling, biking, and watching baseball.
Will Harding
Laboratory Building Energy Analysis and Sustainability Dashboards Analysis and Design
Will is a rising third-year undergraduate majoring in Environmental and Urban Studies, Public Policy, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Global Studies. He is particularly interested in urban policy and the ways in which sustainability can be implemented effectively and equitably. Will has previously worked with environmental nonprofits, environmental justice organizations in Chicago, and sustainability-focused student organizations on campus. He’s looking forward to applying his academic interests to tangible sustainability research regarding university systems at UChicago.