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Study of the U.S. Institute on Global Environmental Issues

Honolulu, Hawaii | Boulder, Colorado | Washington, DC

June 28, 2015 – August 1, 2015

Participant Biographies

Mr. Paulo Ximenes Moreira NOBRE International Relations, University of Brasilia, Brazil Mr. Paulo Ximenes Moreira Nobre is studying International Relations at the University of Brasília. Mr. Nobre has obtained knowledge and skills from different experiences such as being chosen to participate in the Domani International Consultancy – Junior Enterprise of International Relations, and participating in the "Ambassadors CHOICE" program, by a Brazilian NGO, promoting the concept of "Social Business" in the academic environment. Most recently, he has been contributing in a book publication writing a chapter about climate change and the 21st Conference of the Parties, and the changings in the global energy mix with the inclusion of renewable sources. In addition, as an enthusiast of foreign trade, Mr. Nobre is currently interning at Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

Ms. Kaori SHIOHARA Law, Soka University, Japan Ms. Kaori Shiohara is studying public policy at Soka University in Japan. She is also part of the Global Citizenship Program. As a member (now a vice-representative) of a youth-led climate NGO based in Japan, she attended the UN conference on climate change (COP19 and 20) as a youth delegate and engaged in dialogue among civil society while expanding the network of youth participants from Asia. Currently she is working on a project focused on youth and civil participation on climate policy process and dialogue.

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Ms. Xi CHEN (Alice) Public Administration, Central China Normal University Ms. Xi Chen is majoring in public administration at Central China Normal University. She is interested in environmental management and is very involved in school organizations including the student government and Springfield Environmental Protection Association. Here she leads a School-Community Environmental Protection Project that focuses on environmental education and pollution control actions in the community. She also participated in Earth Hour activities to advocate reducing energy consumption and the Blue Sky Project, which works with the local government to deal with air pollution (haze). She was awarded the Honor of Merit Students and the Bo Ya scholarship. She is interested in exploring the role of Non-governmental organizations in environmental protection and improving her leadership skills.

Ms. Anastasia BELOVA (Nastya) Ecology, Yaroslavl State University, Russia Ms. Anastasia Belova is studying Ecology and nature use at Yaroslavl State University. Ms. Belova is dedicated to educating the younger generations on environmental issues. She is head of the volunteer movement "EKObox", and she and her team are trying to increase the environmental awareness of local communities. This movement collects used batteries and enlightens people in the proper disposal of hazardous waste. Ms. Belova hopes to put into practice the theories learned in the classroom by working in the Department of Environmental Protection upon graduation. Ms. Belova believes that she can instill in people respect for nature. Currently, Ms. Belova hones her skills by conducting environmental activities and workshops for school children in her region.

Ms. Olívia BONAN COSTA (Olívia) Law, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil Ms. Olívia Bonan Costa is a Law student at University of São Paulo. Her interest in environmental issues is due to her family, among others. They founded a cooperative to market their small-scale organic produce in fair-trade conditions. She has been involved in volunteer projects that provide free legal assistance for the underprivileged and has been awarded a scholarship by the Brazilian Ministry of Education to research topics on social and economical development, public policies and human rights. As a leader, Olívia hopes to encourage women to lead pioneering business models and to engage in the policymaking process, in order to improve the Brazilian economic potential in an egalitarian and sustainable way.

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Mr. Junhao ZHU (Jun-ho) Public Administration, Sanya University, China Mr. Junhao Zhu is studying Public Administration at Sanya University and has a passion for marine protection. In 2012, Mr. Zhu joined the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Society Volunteer Group of Sanya University and has organized more than 100 beach cleanups since he joined. In addition, Mr. Zhu is also a Guardian Volunteer with the China Mangrove Conservation network and he has organized over 50 events around mangrove protection; including working in primary schools around the mangrove reservations and mangrove population investigation activities. In June 2014, he successfully applied for a 5,000 yuan grant for Sanya mangrove protection work. His hope for the SUSI program is that all participants from different countries can have an exchange of ideas and learn “best practices” from each other. He then wants to take these good ideas and implement them upon his return home.

Mr. Arthur Almeida CAMPANHA Mechanical Engneering, UNI University Center, Brazil Mr. Campanha is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the UNA University Center and has completed 1.5 year study of Aircraft Maintenance. He demonstrates leadership skills and has a general interest in several topics although he is enrolled in a very technical course (aircraft maintenance). He took part in the USBE Alumni Day – edition 2014 as one of the coordinators of the project "Vamos brincar de ler" ("Let’s play to read"). As an engineering student and an aircraft lover, his aim is to further his study of new sustainable technologies to solve aviation issues; like, alternatives to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from aircraft engines and improve air quality.

Ms. Gülşah KUZUCUOGLU (Gülşah) Meteorological Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey Ms. Gulsah Kuzucuoglu just completed her third year at Istanbul Technical University where she is doing a double major in Meteorological and Astronautical Engineering. Many of her courses focus on global climate change, air pollution control, water source management, energy meteorology, which developed her deep concern and interest in environmental issues. She was very active in her school volunteer programs and clubs. In 2008, she participated in a project focused on recycling. Moreover, the project was in cooperation with students from both the Czech Republic and Finland. Ms. Kuzucuoglu also participated in an internship focused on water source management and renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is her passion and she hopes to pursue a career in that field.

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Mr. Ramazan Oğuz TOSUN (Oğuz) Environmental Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Turkey Mr. Ramazan Oguz Tosun completed his third year studying Environmental Engineering at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. His freshman year he became involved with the European Students’ Forum (AEGEE), which changed his life and set him on his current path. Through this organization he has participated in several international youth programs with different foci including topics on environment and democracy. He was elected as one of the board members of AEGEE at the European Working level. Academically, he has focused on “Climate and Rural Ecology” and is focused on finding a position in the environmental sector as a policy maker upon his graduation.

Ms. Angelina VLADIMIRSKAYA (Angelina) Social work, Far Eastern Federal University, Russia Ms. Angelina Vladimirskaya completed her third year in Social Work at Far Eastern Federal University. She is very interested in environmental issues and takes every opportunity to participate in environmental programs at her university. Currently she is an online activist with organizations like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. Ms. Vladimirskaya is also passionate about global ecological problems with a focus on trash waste. Through this program at the East-West Center, she wants to take the knowledge and skills gained back to her community and focus on community engagement activities, specifically trash waste reduction and recycling.

Mr. Soki Ampuku International Liberal Studies, Waseda University, Japan Mr. Soki Ampuku majors in International Liberal Studies, and completed his 1st year at Waseda University. He is deeply interested in the relationship between politics and environmental issues. At his university, he has participated in a conference about sustainable energy sources. He was granted the Okuma Memorial Scholarship for his outstanding academic records in his faculty, School of Liberal Studies. He believes that the SUSI program will be a special opportunity for him not only to further develop his leadership skill but also to learn environmental issues through theories and practical experiences.

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Ms. Yanan HE (Holly) Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, China Ms. Yanan He is studying Architecture at Harbin Institute of Technology. Her passion is focused on how the built environment should minimize its affect on the natural environment. Her design philosophy focuses on sustainable building design and reduced energy consumption, reduced pollution and natural resources protection. In 2012, she won an Excellence Award in China’s National Green Buildings Design Competition. She recently designed a high-rise building named Air Monument Building to have buildings reduce contributions to air pollution. It received an honorable mentioned in 2015 eVolo Skyscraper Competition. Ms. He would love to learn from American successes during the SUSI program and then propose adaptive solutions to her home country's environmental problems.

Mr. Pavel A. DOBROLYUBOV (Pasha) Petroleum Engineering, Polytechnic Institute (Branch) of North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) in Mirny, Russia Mr. Pavel A. Dobroliubov is studying Petroleum Engineering at the North-Eastern Federal University. He is focused on projects that are related to the ecological situation after Soviet nuclear tests in 1970-1980s in Western Yakutia. He is also committed to the environmental protection of the Russian Far East. Mr. Pavel Dobroliubov is dedicated to gathering and analyzing data from the Central Botuoba oil and gas field through experiential learning. He has actively participated and has held leadership positions on the 56th London International Youth Science Forum and Moscow International Model of UN. He hopes to improve his skills in building relationships with other people who aspire change and to learn more about global environmental issues.

Ms. Fabiane dos Reis VIEIRA Environmental Engineering, University of São Paulo, Brazil Ms. Fabiane dos Reis Vieira is a fourth year Environmental Engineering student at the University of São Paulo. She desires to make a positive impact regarding environmental protection, this desire fuels her passion to learn more about current and future conservation techniques. She is an active participant in several environmental related projects including helping to organize three different Environmental Engineering Weeks - events that aim to instigate and enhance a critical view on environmental issues, and training of bank employees to monitor urban rivers and streams in the HSBC Water Program in partnership with Earthwatch Institute.

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Ms. Busra Senel EGILMEZ Computer Engineering, Cukurova University, Turkey Ms. Busra Senel Egilmez is studying Computer Engineering at Cukurova University. Ms. Egilmez currently volunteers for many projects, most of which focus on her passion for working with children, the elderly and stray animals. She also works with a project focused on the cultivation of healthy and GMO-free fruits and vegetables. She wants to create positive changes in society and does this through her volunteer efforts. She is also passionate about writing and has received many awards and honors for her short stories and poetry. Ms. Egilmez’s future goal is to write instructive works about environmental issues to help guide and influence people from all over world.

Mr. Mingtao LIN English, Yunnan University, China Mr. Mingtao Lin is studying English at Yunnan University and he is a member of the environmental community of his college. He is very concerned about animals in the environment and has participated in many different animal-protection activities. He has especially focused on the protection of the Larus Ridibundus (Black-headed Gull) because it is the main kind of migrant bird in Kunming during the autumn and winter periods and is susceptible to environmental degradation. His interest is also on the waste recycling process of his campus and he just completed the ‘No Trash on the Ground Activity’ with other members of the campus community. Mr. Lin is excited to learn about environmental protection in the U.S to apply back home in China.

Mr. Gorkem SAHIN Medicine, Cukurova University, Turkey Mr. Gorkem Sahin has completed his third year as a Medical Student at Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine. Mr. Sahin sees strong correlation between public health and global environmental issues and this has made him strive to be an oncologist. In his opinion the results of environmental problems such as air pollution, water pollution and acid rains, etc. are related to the development of cancer, especially lung and skin cancers. Finding solutions for environmental issues will help cure many patients and also will help doctors treat the others. He is a volunteer with TEMA (The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats). Additionally, he is curious to learn new models related to global environmental debates.

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Ms. Polina ANTONOVA Environmental Safety, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia Ms. Polina Antonova is an Environmental Safety student at Saint Petersburg State University. She is interested in the mechanisms of leading and promoting the ecological way of life and her area of research at her university is in Ecological Management. Ms. Antonova is researching the benefits of applying ecological policy to the Russian corporate management system and investigating the output of corporations in Russia. Currently she is a member of the Ecological Public Control of Russia and during the summer 2015, she practiced on how to audit the Enterprise’s Ecological Management System.

Ms. Misato OI Economics and Management, Kyoto University, Japan Ms. Misato Oi is studying Economics and Management at Kyoto University. Ms. Oi is keenly interested in advancing gender equality in business and economy and has been actively involved with a number of programs related to women’s leadership and entrepreneurship. She has an impressive track record of leadership. She also has a strong interest in environmental issues; she developed and presented a business plan to promote ecotourism in Guam at the FedEx Express Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge. She is also recognized as one of Japan’s rising female leaders, having represented her country overseas at the G(irls)20 Summit in Australia in 2014. Her goal is to make a difference in other’s lives by combining her two passions: culture and gender equality in the economy. !

Ms. Kana TAKAGI Political Science, Keio University, Japan Ms. Kana Takagi is currently studying Political Science at Keio University. Last year, Ms. Takagi participated in the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program which is a mentorship program designed to establish a network of a select corps of Japanese professional women and highly-motivated university students who show promise as Japan’s next generation of leaders. Last summer, she participated in the three-day AIT Environmental Leadership Camp in Taiwan where students from Taiwan and Japan learned and discussed environmental issues together. Her future goal is to work at the United Nation Environmental Program, since, much like SUSI, the UN is a place where people from all over the world gather trying to make a difference.