GCSE is honored to bring a transdisciplinary and intergenerational delegation of global citizens working to advance GCSE's mission to "span boundaries of knowledge and decision-making to address environmental and sustainability challenges".
Our delegation members are scientists, activists and students that bring important perspectives to the COP28 gathering. To learn more about GCSE's work at COP28, please visit our COP28 webpage.
Ms. Laalitya Acharya
Founder, The Nereid Project
Based in the United States
Ms. Acharya is the Founder of the Nereid Project, an organization working to end the water crisis through research, advocacy and policy initiatives. She developed the Nereid research/device, which is a novel method to detect microbial contamination in water through artificial intelligence. She is currently implementing the device in her hometown in Ohio, in India and through Engineers Without Borders (EWB).
Ms. Rebecca Abitimo
Member, Rise Up Movement
Based in Uganda
Mr. A. Karim Ahmed, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor, University of Connecticut Health Center
Based in the United States
Dr. Ahmed is an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Previously, Ahmed was senior fellow and deputy director of the Program on Health, Environment, and Development at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, D.C. and research director and senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in New York City. Click here to learn more about Dr. Ahmed.
Ms. Crystal Chissell
Executive Director, Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE)
Based in the United States
Ms. Chissell, J.D., M.S., MBA, is Executive Director of the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE). Prior to joining GCSE, Chissell served as VP of Operations for two climate solutions nonprofits, Project Drawdown and Project Regeneration, and also served as Senior Director of Partnerships for Project Drawdown. Her state and local government experience includes serving as Chief Solicitor of the Baltimore City Law Department, as Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland Environmental Service, and as Mayor of Highland Beach, Maryland. Click here to learn more about Ms. Chissell.
Ms. Katherine Gerbode-Grant
Senior Associate, The New York Climate Exchange
Based in the United States
Ms. Gerbode-Grant is part of a team operationalizing the New York Climate Exchange, a consortium of more than 45 partner organizations working to implement innovative climate solutions in New York City and across the globe. She has an extensive background in higher education, non-profit organizations, and consulting.
Ms. Isabella Guinigundo
Student, The Ohio State University
Based in the United States
Mr. Stephen Hammer
Chief Executive Officer, The New York Climate Exchange
Based in the United States
Dr. Hammer is Chief Executive Officer of The New York Climate Exchange, a consortium of more than 45 partner organizations working to implement innovative climate solutions in New York City and across the globe. Before joining the Exchange, Dr. Hammer spent a decade as a senior policy advisor at the World Bank where he spearheaded key climate partnerships with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Secretary General’s team, and the G20, and supported efforts to mainstream climate change into all facets of the World Bank’s lending operations. Click here to learn more about Dr. Hammer.
Ms. Sagal Hashi
Student, The Ohio State University
Based in the United States
Sagal Hashi, a senior at The Ohio State University, pursues a Criminology/Criminal Justice degree with a Korean minor. Her interests and training span Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, climate action, and youth advocacy. Combining her passions for law, diplomacy, and the environment, Sagal aspires to leverage her skills to fight injustice and facilitate cooperation in our increasingly interconnected world.
Mr. Adrian Jeremiah Kaliisa
Local Coordinator, Rise Up Movement
Based in Uganda
Ms. Olivia Marrero
Student, The Ohio State University
Based in the United States
Ms. Olivia Marrero is a third-year Stamps Eminence Scholar attending The Ohio State University studying environmental molecular science, geochemistry, and hydrogeology with a focus on soil science and remediation, carbon sequestration, and regenerative agriculture. The Stamps Eminence Scholarship is the highest academic scholarship awarded to undergraduate students at Ohio State.
Mr. Léonard Mugisho
Climate Activist, Rise Up Movement - Democratic Republic of Congo
Based in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Mr. Mugisho is a climate activist and member of Rise Up Movement. He is a graduate in chemistry and educates children and students about climate change and its effects on the environment. He contributes to the development of his local community through climate awareness. He is French-speaking and hopes to change the world through his climate actions.
Ms. Liz Nelson
Program Manager, Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE)
Based in the United States
Ms. Nelson is Program Manager at the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE). With GCSE, Ms. Nelson manages the EnvironMentors program and supports international initiatives. She has previous experience serving the United States federal government and has studied topics including environmental policy, climate change and conservation. Click here to learn more about Ms. Nelson.
Ms. Esther Obonyo
Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Global Building Network, The Pennsylvania State University
Based in the United States
Dr. Obonyo is Associate Professor of Engineering Design and Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, is Director of the Global Building Network, a partnership between the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and Penn State. Previously, Dr. Obonyo served as a Jefferson Science Fellow and senior policy adviser for the teams managing the U.S. Agency for International Development portfolio for construction and university-based science partnerships. Click here to learn more about Dr. Obonyo.
Ms. Alex Ramey
Program Manager, Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE)
Based in the United States
Ms. Ramey is Program Manager at the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE). Ms. Ramey's previous experience is in global sustainability science and research on topics including socioeconomic dimensions of energy transitions in coal-dependent communities in the US and German, climate equity, environmental justice, and sustainability in higher education. Click here to learn more about Ms. Ramey.
Ms. Erica Smithwick
Director of Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute, The Pennsylvania State University
Based in the United States
Dr. Smithwick is Director of Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute and Distinguished Professor of Geography at Pennsylvania State University. As a landscape and ecosystem ecologist, Dr. Smithwick’s work is increasingly focused on problems that require inter- and trans-disciplinary teamwork to address complex environmental challenges. Click here to learn more about Dr. Smithwick.
Mr. Joseph Sserwadda
Accountant, Rise Up Movement
Based in Uganda
Ms. Cordelia Van der Veer
Student, The Ohio State University
Based in the United States
Ms. Van der Veer is a second-year student at The Ohio State University majoring in Public Policy Analysis and Political Science. She contributes to research projects at the Ohio Education Research Center and the Rea Environment and Society Lab. Cordelia serves on the executive boards for College Democrats, Model United Nations team, and Students Demand Action at Ohio State.
Mr. David Wamani
Member, Rise Up Movement
Based in Uganda