ESE Student Profiles
Ecological Sciences and Engineering

I hold a bachelor’s in Biology from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. I am originally from the rural region of Silvania, a small town near Bogota, the capital of my country. I am a fan of orchids, hiking, and world history.

Home Department: Political Sciences
Mentor / Lab: Leigh Raymond and Rosalee Clawson
Specific Research Area / Project: The Environmental Justice Movement
Kaleigh Karageorge is a PhD candidate at Purdue University as well as a Smithsonian Environmental Justice Fellow at the Anacostia Community Museum. Her research interests broadly include the Environmental Justice Movement and coalition-building strategies, relying on community engaged research practices.
Kaleigh’s current research project focuses on local autonomy in the Environmental Justice Movement, especially as it relates to partnerships between Mainstream environmental organizations and grassroots groups. In addition to her research, Kaleigh is passionate about teaching and finding new ways to integrate learner-centered principles into the classroom. In her free time, you can find Kaleigh camping, hiking, hosting her friends, or enjoying a large serving of pasta.

Home Department: Forestry & Natural Resources
Mentor / Lab: Zhao Ma
Specific Research Area / Project: Barriers to and Opportunities for Conservation-oriented Adaptation in Rhode Island
Lab / Personal work-related websites:
I am a PhD Candidate at Purdue University under Dr. Zhao Ma and a NOAA Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow with the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Rhode Island. My current research aims to understand how perceptions of climate change impact the opinions of and engagement with organizations and agencies implementing climate change adaptations throughout Rhode Island. Prior to my PhD, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Wildlife at Purdue University in 2013 and my Master of Science in Biology at Georgia Southern University in 2015. After completing my MS, I worked as a biologist for 5 years in various states across the United States on both flora and fauna species. After completion of my PhD, I want to continue my work in the Northeast United States to help vulnerable communities manage climate change impacts. In my free time, I continue to work with my community by volunteering at the local animal shelter and supporting native plant programs.
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Home Department: Forestry & Natural Resources
Mentor / Lab: Bryan Pijanowski
Specific Research Area / Project: Using acoustics to assess rangeland condition in a coproduced project in Arkhangai, Mongolia
Lab / Personal work-related websites: Lab Website
My name is Sam! I am a fourth year PhD student in ESE. I love being outside and exploring Lafayette. One of my favorite activities is visiting the farmers market in the summer with friends. I love to travel and enjoy going to new places for conferences, field work, or really any other reason! I also enjoy a quiet night in reading or playing video games with my two cats at home.

Home Department: Civil Engineering
Mentor / Lab: David J. Yu and Yan Cong
Specific Research Area / Project: Risk Assessment Using NLP
Lab / Personal work-related websites: Lab Website
I am Sukrati Gautam, a PhD student at Purdue University specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Outside of my academic pursuits, I am an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. My passion for nature complements my involvement in the Ecological Science & Engineering Graduate Student Organization (ESE GSO), where I actively participate in organizing events and networking with ESE alumni. This role allows me to foster community and connections within the field, blending my love for the outdoors with professional development and collaboration.