Connecting Changemakers: IonE welcomes 2023 class of affiliates
Embodying IonE’s ethos and approach to solving today’s complex environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research and partnerships, our Affiliates Program brings together individuals from various backgrounds and disciplines who are motivated to drive real-world solutions.
The diversity of our affiliates enrich and expand the IonE community; they serve as vital catalysts to advance our mission of leading the way towards a future where people and planet prosper together.
This year, we are excited to welcome 30 new Affiliates: 20 Fellows, senior researchers and thought-leaders established in their career, having demonstrated excellence in one or more disciplines related to environmental protection or sustainability; and nine Associates, early-career scholars interested in developing capacity in interdisciplinary engagement with great promise to become recognized for their environmental and sustainability research, and those most likely to affect transformative environmental outcomes. This year we also have one new Visiting Scholar, who expands IonE’s community of environmental research and education from outside the University.
“IonE’s Affiliate Program connects changemakers and professionals of all career stages, fostering collaborative work that has a positive impact in advancing a more just and sustainable future,” says Program Manager for Affiliate Impact Maggie McKenna.
"Affiliates are central to the IonE community; are part of changing the ways the university conducts scholarship; and, through collaboration, create tangible impact in the wider world."
Congratulations to our 2023 IonE Affiliates:
IonE Fellows
- Colin Agur, Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UMN–Twin Cities
- Sayan Biswas, Mechanical Engineering, UMN–Twin Cities
- Chan Lan Chun, Natural Resources Research Institute and Swenson College of Science and Engineering, UMN–Duluth
- Karen Donohue, Carlson School of Management, UMN–Twin Cities
- Ann DuHamel, Division of Humanities, Music, UMN–Morris
- Kirsten Fischer, College of Liberal Arts, UMN–Twin Cities
- Jennifer Frisch, College of Education and Human Service Professions, UMN–Duluth
- Chris “C.W” Johnson, College of Education and Human Service Professions, UMN–Duluth
- Rutherford Johnson, Business Department, UMN–Crookston
- Daniel Keefe, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, UMN–Twin Cities
- Athena Kildegaard, English/Environmental Studies/Honors, UMN–Morris
- Dan Larkin, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, UMN–Twin Cities
- Yuxin Miao, Precision Agriculture Center/Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, UMN–Twin Cities
- Hessam Mirgolbabaei, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UMN–Duluth
- Karthik Natarajan, Carlson School of Management, UMN–Twin Cities
- Crystal Ng, College of Science & Engineering, UMN–Twin Cities
- Elizabeth Sumida Huaman, College of Education and Human Development, Twin Cities
- Steve Sternberg, Swenson College of Science and Engineering, UMN–Duluth
- Michael Winikoff, MnDrive Environment, Twin Cities
- Wenqing Zhang, Labovitz School of Business and Economics, UMN–Duluth
IonE Associates
- Alex Bajcz, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, UMN–Twin Cities
- Elizabeth Boileau, College of Education and Human Service Professions, UMN–Duluth
- Nfamara K. Dampha, Institute on the Environment, UMN–Twin Cities
- An Garagiola, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa/College of Liberal Arts, UMN–Twin Cities
- Lucas Granholm, Theater Arts, UMN–Morris
- Kathryn Haglin, Political Science, UMN–Duluth
- Nick Kleese, Center for Climate Literacy, UMN–Twin Cities
- Suki Jones Mozenter, College of Education and Human Service Professions, UMN–Duluth
- Judy Q. Yang, Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, UMN–Twin Cities
IonE Visiting Scholar
Vanessa Casado-Pérez, Texas A&M School of Law, Fort Worth, TX