Curriculum to Career: Pathways in Sustainability Science

Hear from Columbia University's M.S. in Sustainability Science alumni and how they are applying their degree into practice.
About this Event

Panel: Climate Research

How does a graduate degree in sustainability science translate into a meaningful career?

Join alumni of Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Science (MoSSS) program for a candid conversation about their professional journeys and how they are applying scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary training to address real-world sustainability challenges.

Panelists will share how they navigated the transition from graduate school to the workforce, what their current roles entail, and the experiences and skills that have helped them build careers across the sustainability field. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and connect with alumni.

This event is part of "Curriculum to Career: Pathways in Sustainability Science," a series exploring the diverse professional pathways available to Sustainability Science students and graduates.

Registrants can attend virtually or in person, and registration is required.

Moderator:

Einat Lev

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Research Professor, Seismology, Geology and Tectonophysics Department

Lecturer in Professional Studies, Sustainability Science

Einat Lev is a Lamont Associate Research Professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, where she started as a Lamont-Doherty Postdoctoral Fellow in 2009. Einat holds a B.Sc. in Geophysics and Computer Science from Tel-Aviv University in Israel, and a Ph.D. in Geophysics from MIT. Her research is focused on the fluid mechanics and physical processes controlling volcanic eruptions. In particular, Einat studies how the complex properties of magma and lava, and the variable eruption conditions, play a role on the outcome of eruptions. Einat’s research relies on a range of methods, primarily numerical modeling, fluid mechanics experiments using materials analogous to magma and lava, field surveys, and aerial photography.

Einat has published many articles in scientific journals, as well as popular science blogs and radio interviews. In addition to volcanoes and geology, Einat is passionate about science education, and strives to bring the insights gained from basic research into applications that benefit society and to expand the reach of science education to all sections of society.

Panelists:

Madeleine Siegel

Doctoral Researcher

UCLA, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Madeleine is a doctoral researcher at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, where she studies climate adaptation, environmental policy, and community engagement. Drawing on qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews with community-based organizations, practitioners, and decision-makers, her work investigates how infrastructure investments can be designed to advance equity and long-term climate resilience.

Her research experience spans federal, state, and municipal levels. As a Water Policy Research Fellow with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), she synthesized technical data to assess climate adaptation implications and support resilience planning. At the New York State Attorney General’s Office, she authored policy memos analyzing state-level climate legislation and environmental regulation. At Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, she advanced research evaluating how federal environmental reviews incorporate climate adaptation and land use planning considerations.

Madeleine holds a Master of Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science with Honors from UC Berkeley. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Climate Currents, the publication of UCLA’s Center for Diverse Leadership in Science.

Jeff Fralick

Senior Program Manager

Refrigerant Emissions Elimination Forum (REEF)

Jeff is a climate scientist and environmental advocate with experience advancing international, federal, and state climate policy. As a Senior Program Manager at REEF, he will help develop and deliver new activities critical to REEF's support of refrigerant action by end-users and support the build out of REEF's international engagement. Prior to joining REEF, Jeff was a Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Fellow at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where he supported domestic and international HFC reduction strategies under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, respectively.

Jeff also worked at the Environmental Defense Fund, supporting research and policy analysis to help protect investors from climate-related financial risks. He holds a Master of Science in Sustainability Science from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Science from Cornell University. His work is driven by a commitment to translating complex science into practical solutions that advance climate action and environmental protection. After building much of his career in Washington, DC, Jeff recently relocated to Salt Lake City, where he enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time in nature.

Fia Hosque

Ph.D., Graduate Assistant

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Ms. Hoque is an Atmospheric Sciences Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa whose work focuses on climate modeling, refrigerants, and cooling energy. Her current research uses statistical and numerical models to assess the impacts of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other refrigerants on climate and atmospheric circulation as part of the NSF Engineering Research Center: Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH). Prior to joining the University of Hawaiʻi, Ms. Hoque worked as an Associate Chemist at Gradient, where she contributed to projects involving chemical fate and transport, contaminant modeling, environmental forensics, chemical compliance, litigation support, and read-across assessment.

She holds an M.S. in Sustainability Science from Columbia University, where she focused on climate modeling and geochemistry, and a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Marine Biology from the University of Washington, where she researched marine biological systems in the San Juan Islands.

Note:

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

For in person attendees, a QR code will be emailed to your email address the day before the event, which will grant you access to Morningside Campus where the event will take place. Please note that in person seating is limited.

For virtual attendees, the Zoom link will be shared on the day of the event.

For more information, please contact the event organizer, Cindy Ip, at [email protected]

To obtain additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at [email protected].

If you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation, or any other disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services, [email protected], at least 10 days in advance.

Please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness (https://preparedness.columbia.edu/) to stay up to date on the latest campus health and safety policies.

This event is open to individuals irrespective of identity and sex.