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Building Careers in Sustainability: Highlights from CU Boulder’s First Career in the Environment Fair

Liz Holland — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:20:48 +0000

Building Careers in Sustainability: Highlights from CU Boulder’s First Career in the Environment Fair Liz Holland Mon, 03/17/2025 - 10:20

Two Fridays ago, the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) hosted its first-ever Career in the Environment Fair, an exciting and impactful event designed to connect undergraduate and graduate students with professionals working in environmental science, sustainability, and conservation. The event provided a unique opportunity for students in ENVS and the Masters of the Environment (MENV) Graduate Program to engage with industry leaders, gain valuable career insights, and explore internships and job opportunities in the growing field of environmental sustainability.

State of the Field Panel: Insights from Industry Experts

The day kicked off with an engaging State of the Field panel discussion, where students heard directly from top professionals working across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The panelists included:

Carlos Fernández – Colorado State Director at The Nature Conservancy
Erin Decker – Director of Renewable Energy at Schneider Electric
Jennifer Gimbel – Senior Water Policy Scholar at Colorado Water Center
Matt Abbott – Corporate Sustainability Senior Manager at VF Corporation (Apparel and Footwear)
Sarah R. Horn – Senior City Planner at the City of Boulder

These industry leaders tackled important questions from students, such as:

How has the environmental field evolved over the past decade?
What skills are essential for a career in sustainability today?
How do professionals manage self-care and prevent burnout while working on urgent environmental challenges?

From climate policy and corporate sustainability to renewable energy solutions and urban planning, each panelist shared personal experiences, career advice, and insights on navigating a constantly evolving field.

Career Exploration Expo: Connecting Students with

Opportunities

Following the panel, students had the chance to network with professionals during the Career Exploration Expo, where 18 organizations were present to discuss internships, jobs, and career pathways. Employers and organizations in attendance included:

The Nature Conservancy
Schneider Electric
City of Boulder
Growing Gardens
Colorado Energy Office
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary
Garden to Table
Lincoln Hills Care
Design Workshop
CU Environmental Center
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)
Cal-Wood Education Center
Resource Central
OneEnergy Renewables
Friends of Coal Creek
Colorado Parks & Wildlife

It was inspiring to see students engaging in meaningful conversations with employers, environmental advocates, and sustainability experts, all working toward building a greener and more resilient future.

A Huge Thank You to Our Participants!

We extend our deepest gratitude to our panelists, employer representatives, students, and staff who made this event such a success. The Career in the Environment Fair was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from professionals, explore career opportunities, and build connections in the sustainability sector.

As environmental and sustainability careers continue to expand, events like this are essential in helping students gain industry knowledge, develop professional networks, and prepare for impactful careers in environmental science, policy, and conservation.

We look forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better! If you're interested in learning more about career opportunities in sustainability or staying updated on future events, be sure to follow CU Boulder ENVS and MENV on social media.

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ENVS PhD Candidate and Associate Professor Publish Paper on Thailand’s Role in the Future of Alternative Proteins

Liz Holland — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:45:49 +0000

ENVS PhD Candidate and Associate Professor Publish Paper on Thailand’s Role in the Future of Alternative Proteins Liz Holland Thu, 02/20/2025 - 09:45

Thailand’s Role in the Future of Alternative Proteins

The global food system is undergoing a transformation, and alternative proteins—such as plant-based, insect-based, and cultured (lab-grown) proteins—are at the forefront of this shift. As concerns over environmental sustainability, food security, and ethical food production grow, many countries are exploring their role in shaping the future of protein production. A new study by ENVS PhD candidate Waverly Eichhorst and ENVS Associate Professor Peter Newton, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, examines Thailand’s potential as a leader in producing cultured protein (CP).

Why Thailand?

Thailand has a rapidly industrializing economy, a strong presence in global food production, and an interest in sustainability. However, the development of cultured protein technologies in middle- and low-income countries remains largely unexplored. This research seeks to understand how Thailand can foster an innovation system that supports cultured protein production.

Key Findings from the Study

Eichhorst and Newton used a technological innovation systems framework to assess Thailand’s current landscape for CP development. Their mixed-methods approach included a qualitative document review and semi-structured interviews with 17 industry experts. Their findings highlight both opportunities and challenges in the country’s path to becoming a leader in alternative proteins.

Opportunities for Growth

Initial Industry Engagement: Various actors, including government agencies, private companies, and research institutions, are beginning to explore CP technologies.
Sustainability & Food Security Benefits: Cultured protein could reduce environmental pressures from traditional agriculture while improving food security.
Transnational Collaboration Potential: Leveraging global expertise could help Thailand build its CP sector.

Challenges to Overcome

Regulatory Approval: Thailand lacks clear regulations for CP products, which could slow innovation.
Manufacturing & Technical Expertise: The country needs more specialized knowledge and infrastructure to scale CP production.
Consumer Acceptance: Widespread adoption of CP products will depend on cultural perceptions and market demand.

What’s Next?

A couple of years ago, and before the paper was published, Waverly travelled to the Netherlands to share the team's preliminary findings with a diverse audience at the International Scientific Conference on Cultured Meat in Maastricht, the Netherlands. They received some great feedback on their work during the conference, and Waverly was also able connect with other researchers conducting research on cultured proteins from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

For Thailand to establish itself as a leader in cultured protein, stronger stakeholder engagement is needed. The study suggests that transnational partnerships could help bridge gaps in expertise and resources, while further research into consumer attitudes and market potential will be essential.

As global food systems evolve, Thailand has the opportunity to position itself at the cutting edge of sustainable protein production. With strategic investment and collaboration, the country could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food.

🔗 Read the full paper here: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

A new study by ENVS PhD candidate Waverly Eichhorst and ENVS Associate Professor Peter Newton, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, explores Thailand’s potential as a leader in cultured protein (CP) production. As the global food system undergoes transformation, alternative proteins—including plant-based, insect-based, and lab-grown options—are gaining prominence due to concerns over environmental sustainability, food security, and ethical food production. The study examines how Thailand, with its strong agricultural sector and emerging food technology landscape, could play a key role in shaping the future of protein production.

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Undergraduate Chair Selected for RIO Fellows Research Leadership Cohort

Liz Holland — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:49:10 +0000

Undergraduate Chair Selected for RIO Fellows Research Leadership Cohort Liz Holland Fri, 12/06/2024 - 13:49

We are thrilled to announce that Undergraduate Chair and Professor Peter Newton has been selected for the 2025 Research and Innovation Office (RIO) Fellows Research Leadership cohort! This prestigious program recognizes exceptional faculty members who are eager to expand their leadership skills, foster professional growth, and make an impactful contribution to the university community. Being accepted into this program is a testament to his dedication to both his own academic pursuits and the broader goals of our campus community.

The 2025 RIO Fellows Research Leadership cohort offers an exciting opportunity for faculty to engage in three multiday retreats, where they will receive training in leadership development, research strategies, and collaborative skills. Fellows also gain access to individualized coaching, helping them achieve personal and professional milestones. These retreats are designed to support long-term career goals while strengthening the cohesion of the faculty network.

Professor Newton shared his excitement about the program: “I'm honored to be selected for the 2025 cohort of RIO Faculty Fellows. I am looking forward to building my leadership skills through this professional development opportunity, and to building meaningful connections with other faculty across campus.”

We couldn’t be more excited for Professor Newton to join this dynamic group of colleagues. His participation in the 2025 cohort will undoubtedly strengthen both his leadership potential and the impact he can have across our department and across campus. Congratulations again, Professor Newton—we look forward to seeing all the amazing ways you will grow through this opportunity!

We are excited to announce that Professor Pete Newton has been selected for the 2025 RIO Fellows Research Leadership cohort. This prestigious program offers a unique opportunity for faculty to enhance their leadership skills, engage in professional development, and build connections across campus.

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Introducing Dr. Vasco Chavez-Molina

Liz Holland — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:18:17 +0000

Introducing Dr. Vasco Chavez-Molina Liz Holland Fri, 09/27/2024 - 11:18

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Environmental Studies is thrilled to congratulate Dr. Vasco Chavez-Molina after successfully defending his dissertation this week!

Dr. Chavez-Molina’s upbringing in Perú deeply influenced his academic and professional path. Born and raised in one of the world’s most vibrant ecosystems, Dr. Chavez-Molina understood the importance of conservation and sought to have experiences in higher education that would allow him to be a leader in that space. Dr. Chavez-Molina earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science at the College of Holy Cross before making his way to Boulder. Dr. Chavez-Molina first joined us here at the University of Colorado as a student in our Masters of the Environment (MENV) Graduate Program. During his time in MENV, Dr. Chavez-Molina worked with the Governor’s Climate and Forest Task Force where he developed investment strategies aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural supply chains in the Amazon rainforest. As a student in MENV, he also met Dr. Cassandra Brooks. After completing his master’s degree, he joined the Brooks Lab as a full-time researcher, focusing on policy analysis and fisheries management in the Southern Ocean. This role eventually opened the door to his PhD studies, where Dr. Chavez-Molina studied the intricate governance challenges involved in managing marine resources across local, regional, and international levels.

On Wednesday, Dr. Chavez-Molina defended his dissertation in a presentation titled “In search of solutions for international conservation: Analyzing the governance complexities of managing marine resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction”. The guiding questions: “How can we legally protect marine ecosystems in the areas beyond national jurisdiction? How can we manage natural resources across the fragmented frameworks that make up the high seas? And how can we better govern marine resources within this critical region?” were addressed in Dr. Chavez-Molina's work. Throughout the four-part presentation, Dr. Chavez-Molina shared information about the nuances of agency oversight at the international, regional, and national level; the actors and institutions at play in this area of natural resources conservation and management; and the ways in which global politics and policy play a crucial role in accomplishing this important work and recommendations for the future.

If you are interested in reading more from Dr. Chavez-Molina's portfolio of published works, click the links below:

Chavez-Molina, V., Wagner, D., Nocito, E. S., Benedum, M., Gaymer, C. F., Currie, D., Beam, E. G., & Brooks, C. M. (2023b). Protecting the Salas y Gomez and Nazca Ridges: A review of policy pathways for creating conservation measures in the international waters of the Southeast Pacific. Marine Policy, 152(March), 105594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105594

Chavez-Molina, V., Becker, S. L., Carr, E., Cavanagh, R. D., Dorman, D., Nocito, E., Sylvester, Z., Wallace, B., White, C., & Brooks, C. M. (2023a). Managing for Climate Resilient Fisheries: Applications to the Southern Ocean. Ocean and Coastal Management, 239 (March), 106580. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4149306

Brooks, C.M., D.G. Ainley, J. Jacquet, S.L. Chown, L.R. Pertierra, E. Francis, A. Rogers, Chavez-Molina, V., L. Teh, U.R. Sumaila. (2022). Protect global values of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Science, 378: 477-479.

Kiffner, C., Baylis, J., Beckwith, C., Brunner, C., Burns, C., Chavez-Molina, V., Cotton, S., Glazik L., Loftis, E., Morgan, M., O’Neill, C., Theisinger, O., Kioko, J. & Kissui B. (2020) Long-term persistence of wildlife populations in a pastoral area. Ecology and Evolution 10: 10000-10016, https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6658

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Chavez-Molina on his great work and successful defense! Way to go!

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Environmental Studies congratulates Dr. Vasco Chavez-Molina on successfully defending his dissertation on marine resource governance. His dissertation addressed the governance complexities of managing marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction, exploring legal protections and policy solutions for high seas conservation.

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Graduate Students at CU Boulder Leading the Future of Environmental Research

Liz Holland — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:21:06 +0000

Graduate Students at CU Boulder Leading the Future of Environmental Research Liz Holland Thu, 09/12/2024 - 13:21

Graduate students at CU Boulder’s Environmental Studies department are leading research on critical global challenges like species conservation, ecological economics, and food security. Researchers like Christian Suarez, Waverly Eichhorst, and Margaret Hegwood are tackling today’s most pressing environmental issues, shaping the future of food policy and environmental conservation efforts worldwide.

The Environmental Studies Colloquium Series plays an important role in this process, providing a platform for students to present their work, gain feedback, and collaborate with peers and experts. This exchange of ideas helps refine research and drives real-world impact, ensuring that CU Boulder’s graduate students remain at the forefront of sustainable policy development.

Christian Suarez: Exploring the Economics of Conservation

Christian Suarez, a second-year PhD student at CU Boulder, is focusing on the intersection of economics and environmental conservation. With a background in economics and political science, Christian’s academic journey into environmental studies began in 2020.

Christian’s current research investigates the role of ecological economics in shaping conservation policies. He explores concepts like contingent valuation, willingness to pay, and the economic trade-offs in species reintroduction. One of his first jumping-off points is examining Colorado's grey wolf reintroduction, the first democratically elected species reintroduction in world history.

As Christian refines his research going forward, one thing that remains vital is understanding how public perception drives conservation policy, and how economic reasoning helps incentivize policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts within a budget-constrained framework.

Waverly Eichorst: Addressing Food Security through Singapore’s 30 by 30 Initiative

Waverly, another talented graduate student at CU Boulder, is researching Singapore’s "30 by 30" initiative, which aims to locally produce 30% of the country’s food by 2030. Singapore imports over 90% of its food and has less than 1% of land available for agriculture, making this initiative a crucial case study for global food production/security policies.

Supported by NIFA and USDA, Waverly is investigating the real-world impacts of Singapore's policies on agricultural productivity. Through on-site farm visits and interviews, she is assessing the technical, financial, and regulatory challenges that Singapore’s agricultural sector faces, such as high production costs and a lack of consumer demand for local produce. Her research aims to uncover strategies for Singapore to overcome these challenges through innovation, R&D, and diversified agricultural products.

Waverly’s findings could have far-reaching implications, not only for Singapore but for global efforts to enhance food security.

Margaret Hegwood: U.S. Food System Regulation

Margaret Hegwood, a fifth-year PhD student in CU Boulder’s Environmental Studies department, is researching food system regulation in the United States. Supported by the USDA and CIRES’ Center for Social and Environmental Futures (C-SEF), part of Margaret’s dissertation is centered on the regulatory frameworks that shape the U.S. food system.

Margaret delved into the intricacies of the U.S. regulatory system, discussing what regulations are, who enforces them, and the pros and cons of the current framework for food systems. Margaret’s research sheds light on differences in how regulations impact low-emission versus high-emission food industries, offering insights into the effectiveness of environmental policies.

The insights gained from her work could have significant implications for the future of food system regulation and policy in the U.S.

Leading the Charge in Environmental Policy

These graduate students at CU Boulder demonstrate the department's commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research. From the economics of species reintroduction to global food security and U.S. food system regulation, their work is laying the groundwork for sustainable, impactful environmental policies. Stay tuned for updates on their progress and learn how their research is driving change for a more sustainable future.

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Emma Galofré García selected as a Gilliam fellow

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:06:03 +0000

Emma Galofré García selected as a Gilliam fellow Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:06

We are thrilled to announce that Emma Galofré García, a PhD student in ENVS, has been selected as a Gilliam Fellow, along with her advisor, Dr. Karen Bailey! The Gilliam Fellows Program financially supports each student-adviser pair for up to three years of the student’s dissertation research. For Emma, the fellowship will support her ongoing research in ecology.

This year's cohort of 50 exceptional student-adviser pairs were selected from a field of over 700 applications, the most in the program’s history! Hailing from a record 43 institutions – ten of which are receiving a Gilliam Fellowship for the first time – these students and faculty reflect the incredible breadth of scientific talent that exists throughout our country.

Congratulations Emma and Karen!

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Dr. Lambert and Rosie Sanchez interviewed featured in film about the Colorado wolf reintroduction initiative

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 18:24:18 +0000

Dr. Lambert and Rosie Sanchez interviewed featured in film about the Colorado wolf reintroduction initiative Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 07/20/2024 - 12:24

Dr. Joanna Lambert and current PhD Student, Alma "Rosie" Sanchez have been working for years on the Colorado wolf reintroduction initiative. Now, a film series tells the success story of this initiaitve, which is the first time a federally protected endangered species has been reintroduced via a democratic vote/ballot initiative. The first film of the series features both Dr. Lambert and Rosie! It premiered on July 18, and was followed by a speaker panel in which Dr. Lambert participated (as shown in image).

See the film trailer below and learn more about this incredible iniative here.

[video:https://vimeo.com/979366728]

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How cattle ranchers in Brazil could help reduce carbon emissions

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0000

How cattle ranchers in Brazil could help reduce carbon emissions Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/17/2022 - 00:00

Providing customized training to Brazilian ranchers can not only help keep carbon in the ground, but improve their livelihoods and mitigate climate change, according to new research from CU Boulder and the Climate Policy Initiative / PUC-Rio.

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A Successful Inaugural Patricia Sheffels Visiting Scholar Keynote Speaker

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 23:05:50 +0000

A Successful Inaugural Patricia Sheffels Visiting Scholar Keynote Speaker Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/15/2022 - 17:05

Diana Dorman

“Migwetch,” the Potawatomi word for thank you, was uttered confidently and humbly by Professor Kyle Powys Whyte as he closed the inaugural Patricia Sheffels Visiting Scholar Keynote Speaker talk ‘Against Crisis Science: Research Futures for Climate and Energy Justice.’ This word not only queued the crowd of over 100 people to applaud, but is a distillation of the insightful themes considered. Professor Whyte, an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, discussed the crisis of climate change from his perspective as an indigenous person, “for me, the climate change crisis is better understood as a kinship crisis.” Professor Whyte reframed the climate crisis as a crisis of relationships, urging the audience to reconsider the roots of climate change.

A new addition to the Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS), the Patricia Sheffels Visiting Scholar Keynote Speaker series was made possible through the generosity of Patricia Sheffels and her family. A graduate of the Geography Department at University of Colorado Boulder (class of ’58), Patricia started the speaker series motivated by love of her family and the environment. The Patricia Sheffels Speaker series will bring top interdisciplinary environmental scholars to ENVS to discuss the world’s most pressing environmental challenges and how we may solve them. Professor Whyte’s expertise and personal perspective made him the perfect scholar to give the inaugural speech.

Mrs. Sheffels, who attended the lecture with her family, explained, “We all know that there is not one answer to solving climate change. I hoped for a visiting scholar who would not only show us some of the problems and solutions, but also to inspire the CU community to search for the answers. Kyle Whyte was available to students, the lecture attendees, and the community and he did an admirable job. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the inaugural event and the speaker.”

The daughter of a former dean in the California university system, who became a teacher as her first career, Pat has a lifelong relationship with education. Her love of the environment also started at a young age, hiking and skiing as much as possible throughout her time at CU Boulder. After graduating from CU, Pat moved to Montana with her husband where they ranched and raised a family.

Pat moved to Seattle once her children were grown and put her CU Geography degree to work as a Bellevue City Planner. Now retired, she has made donating her time, expertise, and resources an integral part of her life, working with many organizations and causes near to her heart, including the working with the hearing impaired, her church and helping disadvantaged people in developing countries. The Department of Environmental Studies is grateful for her support, and is excited for the next Visiting Scholar Keynote in 2023!

If you want to learn more about how you can support students and programs in ENVS now and in the future, contact the Department of Environmental Studies Chair, Max Boykoff, or donate now.

(Pictured from left to right: Professor Kyle Powys Whyte, Patricia Sheffels, and Chair Max Boykoff)

The ENVS Department hosted a successful inaugural Patricia Sheffels Visiting Scholar Keynote Speaker talk by Professor Kyle Powys Whyte (left). The lecture titled ‘Against Crisis Science: Research Futures for Climate and Energy Justice’, inspired the crowd, which included donor Patricia Sheffels (middle) and Chair Max Boykoff (right), to think of our climate crisis through the lens of indigenous peoples.

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Wildlife commissioner strives to listen to all voices

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:51:56 +0000

Wildlife commissioner strives to listen to all voices Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/15/2022 - 09:51

CU Boulder ecologist Karen Bailey, who serves on the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission, aims to listen to advocates for predators and also ranchers and farmers

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