Interns
Sean Harris
Sean earned his MPA in Leadership of Public Organizations from Rutgers SPAA in May 2025. Before joining RCEI, Sean served as a Program Analyst with the U.S Department of the Interior, where he evaluated offshore energy projects and advanced national security priorities in critical mineral mining. He also served as a U.S Army Officer, were he led logistics and infantry operations with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. Sean is passionate about political economy strategies that connect public policy frameworks with market profit motives.
Parie K. Patel
Majoring in Mechanical Engineering & Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior
Parie K. Patel is a current undergraduate student double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior. She is also an active member of Omega Phi Alpha - the national service sorority. In her spare time she can be found reading, playing video games, or painting. Parie is particularly interested in human-environment relations and their impacts on climate adaptation strategies.
Kenneth Tam
PhD Student in Atmospheric Science
Kenneth Tam is a 3rd year Ph.D student at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. His current research focus is on how polar meltwater can affect midlatitude and tropical cyclones. Outside of research, Kenneth enjoys composing music and performing jazz.
Mia Vaccarella
Majoring in Public Policy
Mia Vaccarella is an undergraduate student at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, majoring in Public Policy with a concentration in environmental policy. She enjoys reading, baking, and watching movies. Mia is particularly interested in sustainability, environmental justice, and the role of public policy in addressing climate change for vulnerable communities.
Edith Zhao
Edith Zhao is an undergraduate student at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, currently planning to major in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources. Outside of class, she deeply enjoys poetry, theater, film, bouldering/rock climbing, and just being outdoors. She is very passionate about nature and loves learning about new developments in the environmental sector.