Meet the Current NREP Students

Ella Baldwin

Education: Brigham Young University, B.A., Middle East Studies & Arabic,  2022.

Interests:I am interested in building localized strategies for water security and energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa. I will also add a Resource Commodity Analytics Certificate to build my quantitative credentials.

Career Goals: I am open-minded about my career goals but would ultimately like to work internationally on high-impact solutions to pressing global issues. My “dream jobs” currently include consulting, analysis, and diplomacy.

Work Experience: I have worked as an Arabic instructor, international volunteer, research assistant, pastry chef, and talent acquisition specialist.

Personal interests: I enjoy traveling (both domestically and abroad), cooking, camping, skiing, and spending time with my family

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Francis Gyamfi Boateng

Education: University of Geneva: MA Sustainability (Environmental) (August 2024); University of Ghana: BA Sociology (May 2013)

Interests: Environmental research (extractive and production sector), sustainability, climate change mitigation, impact assessment, data analysis

Career Goals: I want to pursue a career in sustainability and environmental policy, with a focus on extractives, climate change mitigation and impact assessment.

Work Experience: UN Climate Change (UNFCCC): Impact Assessment Intern (May 2024 – Present); Ajocin Group: Administrative Intern (January to March 2023); Ville de Geneve & Uni of Geneva: Research Assistant (February to June 2023); Weitwet Co. Ltd: Health & Safety Officer (May 2020 – August 2022); Ghana Forestry Commission: Environmental Specialist (January 2017 to March 2020); Twin Project Africa Foundation: Youth Coordinator (June 2013 to December 2016)

Personal interests: Environmental conservation, sustainable development, youth education and mentoring in STEM fields, outdoor activities related to forestry and ecosystem health

Christian Cerne

Education: Geosciences (B.S.), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2023)

Interest: International Energy Security, Sustainable Development, Global Security, Community Livelihoods, International Organizations, Critical Mineral/ Rare Earth Metal Supply Chains​

Career Goals: Upon graduating from Mines, I intend to pursue my PhD in international relations. In the long term, I aspire to work in the U.S. government or for international organizations in the global security and diplomacy spheres.

Hobbies: Volleyball, Traveling, Cultural Exploration, Creative Writing, Rehoming stray cats

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Ethan Cornell

Education: Undergraduate Degree: BA International Affairs, Environmental Studies at Wofford College

Interests: The intersection of renewable energies, sustainable development, and environmental policy. I am particularly interested in how these fields can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Work Experience: Environmental Law firm, Judges, Congressman in DC

Personal interests: Playing golf, fly fishing, hiking, anything outside!

Majok Deng

Undergraduate Education and Degree:  Pepperdine University, B.S. in Economics 2023

Academic and Professional Interests: My professional interests are immigration law and understanding energy policies and geopolitics

Work Experience: I’ve worked in Retail, Athletics Game Day Operations, and The Sudreau Global Justice Institute. 

Career Goals:  I want to work with youth in East Africa and provide them with opportunities for a better education and learning environment. Also, I would love to work at The United Nations and be part of the policy process that deals with refugees. 

Hobbies: I love basketball (I am currently on the Mines Basketball Team), reading, playing saxophone, and acting (although I don’t like do it!). 

James Floyd

Education: Environmental Engineering (B.S.), Colorado School of Mines (2023)

Interests: Advancing Environmental Justice, Sustainability, Corporate Accountability, Environmental and Energy Policy/Decision Making

Career Goals: I would like to work in the government either creating or assessing environmental policy to further the goal of environmental justice. If I could choose a “dream job” it would be as a Criminal Investigator with the EPA, investigating environmental crimes.

Personal Interests: Hiking/Backpacking, Reading, Boardgames, Snowboarding, Photography and Golf

Samuel Freedman

Undergraduate Degree and Major:  Sewanee–The University of the South, B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biodiversity and Ecology, 2022

Academic and Professional Interests:  My interests include becoming proficient with GIS, learning how to create and understand the policy process, and having a strong grasp of current environmental challenges and opportunities.

Career Goals:  Want to pursue a career with the government or companies/NGOs with a commitment to environmental protection and regulation.

 Personal hobbies: Hiking, meditation, biking, and rock-hounding.

Henry Novicki

Education: B.S. Environmental Engineering from Bucknell University, May of 2023

Interests: Play varsity baseball in an amazing setting while pursuing a great degree

Career Goals: To have an opportunity where I can make an impact on the environment in order to conserve it for future generations

Work Experience: 7 years of laying tile in construction during the summers and winters for my father’s business

Personal Interests: Archery, hunting, fishing, hiking, German Shepherds

Eric Payne

Education: Genetics & Microbiology (B.S.), Purdue University, 2003. MBA, Regis University, 2011. Registration to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office, 2005.

Interests: Renewable energy, innovation policy, economic development, public-private partnerships, the Bayh-Dole Act.

Career Goals: To leverage policy analysis with techno-economics to accelerate the energy transition in a way that leverages existing infrastructure.

Personal interests: Road and mountain biking, Colorado history, hiking with my family.

Professional Headshot of Geoffrey Pott

Geoffrey Pott

Education: BS Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Interests: Nuclear Power, Robust Energy Security, Intercultural Encounters, Far and Near East Asian Society and Culture, Global Cultures and Transnational Studies

Work Experience: Internships with Energy Based EPC Engineering Contractors and Public Transportation with the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Transit

Career Goals: Long Term, I plan to join the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer as an Economics Officer. I am currently working to pursue further education in Transnational and Cultural Studies or work in an intercultural space focusing on Communications. 

Personal interests: Snowboarding, Languages, Travel, Coffee and Tea, Photography

Maria Saavedra

Education: University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2015-2019. B.A. in Political Sciences. Concentration: Global Affairs

Interests: The intersection of renewable energies, sustainable development, and environmental policy. I am particularly interested in how these fields can be used to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Work Experience: Energy Research Specialist for the private sector focusing on Renewable Energy and Natural Resources investments based on international trends, regulations, and macroeconomics.

Career Goals: After I finish my studies, I intend to contribute to carrying out projects on renewable energies both from the private and public sectors. In the private sector, I would like to contribute as a driver of projects for reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energies that are compatible with the local realities of different countries. In the public sector, I would like to work with national or local governments in designing the regulations and incentives necessary to comply with the commitments that Latin American countries have made in international forums.

Personal interests: I love to spend my free time reading, cooking, riding my bike, and spending time with my family and friends in the outdoors. On a typical weekend, I might start my morning by drinking mate and reading the news. Then, I might go for a bike ride with my husband. In the afternoon, I might cook dinner for my family and friends. And in the evening, we might watch a movie together or read. My hobbies help me to relax, stay active, and connect with the people I care about.

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Myah Tatay

Education: Communication Studies (B.S.) and Minors in Marketing and Environmental Studies, Northern Michigan University (2019)

Interests: Sustainable mining and policy communication

Work Experience: Business Development at Beck Venture Center with 4+ years of professional selling experience

Career Goals: I would like to work with mining companies on governance and community relations.

Personal interests: Skiing, dogs, live music, and traveling to all 50 states (currently 34/50)

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Molly G. Watkins

Education: B.A. in Political Science from Colorado Mesa University

Interests: Water rights, natural resource protection, geopolitics.

Work Experience: Water rights, natural resource protection, geopolitics.

Career Goals: I want to connect state and local governments with private firms to leverage technology for environmental remediation, natural resource protection, and the implementation of renewable energy policies.

Personal interests:Skiing, camping, embroidery, and most importantly – my 12 year old cocker spaniel named Remington.