Project Staff
Solar Street
Dan Mathis, Solar Street Project Leader
Dan Mathis hails from St. Louis, Missouri and is Science, Technology and International Affairs major in the School of Foreign Service concentrating in Energy and Environment, class of 2013. Dan spent the fall semester of his junior year abroad in Amman, Jordan but is excited to be back at Georgetown Energy. During his sophomore year, Dan became interested in renewable energy and large-scale applications of renewable technology, which eventually led him to develop a deep interest in Georgetown Energy’s mission. It wasn’t until Dan met Pete Nulsen at an event in New York City at a bar and they bonded over their love for canoeing the border waters of Minnesota that Dan knew he wanted to join the GE team.
After his sophomore year, Dan interned at the Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, giving him exposure to the Department of Energy and to universities’ green initiatives across the country. He also spent a semester interning for Honua Solutions, a solar PV consulting firm based out of Honolulu. On campus, Dan is involved with Compass Partners, the Hilltop Microfinance Initiative and the Kairos Society, as well as being a tour guide for Blue and Gray. Currently, he is working on the Solar Ovens project for GE and is excited to see GE’s influence grow.
Patricia Cipollitti, Project Leader
Patricia Cipollitti is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service with a passion for the environment. She was raised an international citizen, having been born in Venezuela and lived all over the world, and this has made her develop a sensitivity not only to the world’s environmental issues but also to individual cultural habits and attitudes toward the environment. She realizes that the path that modern globalised civilization is on is not sustainable, and so she is dedicated to change mindsets and attitudes, and also to seek and implement solutions through technology. A member of the group that is in charge of the Townhouse photovoltaic project, she channels her enthusiasm to do just this on the Georgetown campus. Patricia is also involved in Eco-Action, Georgetown’s environmental activism group and The Voice, one of the university’s newspapers. In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book, the theatre, learning new languages, hiking and Twitter.
Richard Kim
Richard Kim is a sophomore in Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and is majoring in Finance and Marketing. He was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia before moving to South Korea for Middle School and High School. At Georgetown, he has been involved in various investing clubs such as GUSIF and GCI, and human rights groups such as UNICEF. Last Summer, he interned at the think tank, Korea Institute of Economic Policy and at the INP Consulting Group, in which he researched the effects of the 3/11 Tsunami in Japan on the Nuclear Energy Industry around Asia. He is excited to join the Solar Street Team and the Marketing Team, and hopes to apply some of his business-school background to GE.
Denis Peskov
Denis Peskov is studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. He was born in Russia and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. Staying true to his roots, Denis enjoys reading Nabokov and Dostoevsky.
Denis is on the Solar Street team and is responsible for outfitting Georgetown townhouses with solar panels. Outside of Georgetown Energy, Denis has been a member of the Varsity Lightweight Crew Team, a coordinator for DC Reads, the Director of Business for the National Collegiate Security Council, an intramural champion, a New Student Orientation Advisor, the class representative for the School of Foreign Service, and a competitor for the Ballroom Dance Team. On weekends, you can find him giving tours of Georgetown to prospective students.
His interest centers on finding solutions to energy problems that are both politically and economically viable.
Solar Thermal
Jessica Yun, Solar Thermal Project Leader
Jessica is a junior in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy & Environment. Her main interests lie in building efficiency and reducing energy waste. Jessica enjoys video production, K-pop, and bossa nova. She currently interns at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Stowe McMurry
Stowe McMurry is a freshman in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and is considering majoring in International Political Economy. In 2010, Stowe worked as a research assistant at China Greentech Initiative – a Beijing-based firm that advises international companies on how to enter the Chinese green-tech market. In 2011, Stowe returned to her home state of New Mexico and worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a research assistant in energy security. Stowe is fascinated by the dynamic relationship between energy resources and politics and plans to continue studying the issue throughout college. Stowe studied abroad in China during her junior year of high school – she loves to travel, go on runs along the Potomac, and take photographs.
Yates Project
Sam Apgar, Project Leader
Samantha Apgar is a senior in Georgetown University’s College of Arts and Sciences studying Environmental Biology. Last spring she studied abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies through Duke University. This intensive and challenging three month course allowed Samantha to strengthen her research and ecology skills as well as utilize her strong Spanish language skills. The past two summers Samantha has interned with the NJDEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Sedge Island Natural Resource Center in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, serving as a mentor and educator to New Jersey’s youth. The Land Conservancy of New Jersey recently awarded Samantha for her work within the field of environmental conservation with their 2012 Russell W. Meyers Academic Scholarship for $7,750. Currently Samantha is not only working for Georgetown Energy, but also working for the Entrepreneurship Initiative in the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and also the Class of 2013 Fund. She is preparing for graduation and the transition from full time student to full time model, as she has been represented by Ford Models NYC for the past four years. She plans to utilize her connections within the fashion industry and night life industry of New York to pursue sustainability projects and other green business ventures.
Colin Doyle, Project Leader
James Davis
James Davis is a freshman in the Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences. He is from Gainesville, Florida and is majoring in biology on a pre-medical track. Over the course of the past year, he has spent time researching technologies and strategies for utilizing hydrokinetic energy in both marine and freshwater environments. This interest among others has given him a passion for renewable energy and sustainability. Aside from his involvement with Georgetown Energy, James races with the Georgetown Running Club, is a member of the Pre-Medical Society, and will be travelling to Panama this spring break with the Global Medical Brigades. He also enjoys playing piano and soccer, eating Chipotle, and rooting for the Florida Gators.
Cam Molis
Alejandro Neira
Alejandro Neira is a senior in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, majoring in Science, Technology and International Affairs, with a concentration in Business, Growth and Development. A native of Quito – Ecuador, Alejandro has been interested in sustainability issues and renewable energies for many years. During his time in high school in Quito, Alejandro was an active member of the Eco-Action student movement and created the battery recycling program in his school. During the summer between his sophomore and junior year, Alejandro worked at the American Council on Renewable Energy, conducting research on wind and solar projects in Latin America, as well as sourcing and contacting foreign renewable energy companies to join ACORE. He enjoys learning languages, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity (Ecuador), traveling and playing piano. On campus, Alejandro works for Students of Georgetown Inc., he is part of the Community Service and Outreach Committee, and the Latin American Student Association. Currently, he is working on the Yates Initiative project for Georgetown Energy.
Townhouse Efficiency
Harrison Gale, Project Leader
Evan Israel
Evan is a senior in the School of Foreign Service who is working towards a degree in Science, Technology, and International Affairs. Originally hailing from San Francisco, CA, he is a lifelong Giants fan whose favorite activity in high school was snowboarding up in Lake Tahoe. Nowadays, he is putting in parttime at Pogoplug while completing his senior coursework and participating as a member of Georgetown’s Magis Row. He is incredibly excited to work with both the Townhouse Energy Efficiency team and the Community Consulting team as they expand GE’s environmental impact into local elementary schools throughout the DC area.
Community Consulting
Shabab Hussain
Shabab Hussain is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service. A native of sunny Santa Clara, California, he is studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs, with a concentration in Energy & the Environment. He currently leads the Community Consulting team, which is working to expand renewable energy usage and energy efficiency around the local neighborhood. Shabab spent his 2012 summer interning with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a non-profit engaging businesses, including Google, Facebook, and Apple, on corporate citizenship issues. While with the SVLG, Shabab researched energy and environmental public policy issues and potential solutions in the state of California, with a particular focus on the state’s water supply and infrastructure. He hopes to apply his work and classroom experience to advancing Georgetown Energy’s mission.
Caroline Palmer
Caroline is a senior in the SFS, studying Science, Technology and International Affairs with a concentration in Environment and Energy. A childhood full of family trips to US National Parks instilled Caroline with a love of hiking, rock climbing and being outdoors. This translated to a deep passion for conservation and resource awareness, specifically around renewable energy and its implementation. She spent the past year abroad, first studying renewable energy in context in Copenhagen, Denmark, and then conducting independent research on energy development in Laos, Cambodia and China. She serves on the Community Consulting team at GE, is an intern at the Georgetown Center for the Environment, and TA’s the course Georgetown Ecology. She worked at the demand management company EnerNOC and most recently, at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center as a Solar Fellow, managing state-level solar incentives. Caroline is very interested in connecting consumers with their energy use and believes everyone should know where his or her gas, heat and electricity come from.
Meaghan Keefe
Meaghan Keefe is a sophomore studying Environmental Biology in Georgetown’s College of Arts and Sciences. Her long-time love of the outdoors and the environment led her to develop a strong interest in sustainable energy in high school where she participated in the Power Puzzle Challenge for FIRST’s (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League robotics competition. As a member of Community Consulting team, she is eager to help educate the Georgetown population and the surrounding neighborhood about the benefits of renewable energy solutions. Meaghan is also a member of the Georgetown Women’s Crew Team and in her free time enjoys reading and photography.
Microsolar
Naman Trivedi
Naman Trivedi is a freshman in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, looking to major in Science, Technology, and International Affairs. His passion for energy solutions & security began when he researched California’s Cap and Trade program as well as other domestic and federal energy policies as an energy policy intern at a think tank in his hometown of San Jose, California. He is working on Microsolar International with Georgetown Energy. In addition to working with GE, Naman is a member of Georgetown’s Mock Trial team and also works in the Academic Resource Center. In his free time he enjoys watching heist movies and playing ping pong.
Martin Hussey
Martin Hussey is a junior majoring in Science, Technology and International Affairs, with a concentration in energy and the environment. Martin is a member of the international microsolar team, and was inspired to join the team by his freshman proseminar taught by Prof. Joanna Lewis. He is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew interested in sustainable energy projects during internships at Sandia National Laboratories, where he was a market research assistant focusing on alternative energy, notably smart grid and microgrid projects. Aside from his work at Georgetown Energy, Martin is the deputy editor of The Hoya’s blog, The Fourth Edition, and works at the Career Education Center. This past summer, Martin interned at the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and was tasked with organizing and promoting National Pollution Prevention Week. In his free time, Martin enjoys running along D.C.’s many running trails and cheering on the Denver Broncos or St. Louis Cardinals.
Caroline James
Caroline is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences from Atlanta, Georgia thinking of majoring in Government with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is interested in developing partnerships with corporations to help them adopt more environmentally progressive practices, and she is excited to explore this interest by working with the International Microsolar team for Georgetown Energy. Caroline’s background in environmental activism spans from teaching environmental education to elementary, middle, and high school students to planning environmental awareness events throughout her high school career. She also served as student representation to faculty and staff on environmental issues.
Caroline’s other passions lie in the humanities, especially music, and she would love to pursue a minor in music while at Georgetown. If she isn’t in class or in meetings, Caroline can be found playing the piano, singing, and arranging music for a cappella groups on campus. She spends copious amounts of time drinking tea and wishes she could spend more time than she gets to kayaking, reading, and writing.
Charlotte Cherry
Charlotte Cherry is a freshman in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, interested in studying energy and development. She has a passion for water security and the way in which it affects everyone on a basic level. Thus far her exposer to these issues has been through a number of environmental conferences and working with The Building Goodness Foundation, a nonprofit that builds sustainable community buildings in Haiti. She hopes to use her international travel experience and excitement for working with groups of people from very different backgrounds to find effective solutions for global communities. Charlotte is also involved in The Triple Helix magazine and video-marketing for The Hoya, Georgetown’s main student newspaper and she enjoys filmmaking, traveling, and meeting new people. Through International Microsolar, she hopes to empower entrepreneurs to be able to impact their communities for the better.
Alex Koeberle
Alex Koeberle is a junior in Georgetown College majoring in Economics with minors in Environmental Science and History. He first become interested in community based aid projects in his junior year of high school, when he was project lead in the development of a program to introduce more local children, particularly from low-income families to the outdoors. At Georgetown, in addition to his work with Georgetown Energy, Alex is the Portfolio Manager of the Natural Resources sector of the Georgetown University Investment Fund and Director of Logistics for the Georgetown Stock Pitch Conference. He also enjoys rock climbing, mountaineering, playing guitar, and cooking.
International Consulting
Rajiv Rao
Rajiv Rao is a junior in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs. He is currently a member of Georgetown Energy’s Research lab. In addition to his duties with GE, Rajiv is also involved with the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund as a senior analyst in the Technology and Telecommunications sector, Compass Partners, and DC Reads. Rajiv spent his 2011 summer interning for a start up tech company, ZoomSafer, and working as an associate for Kosovo-Addis, a consulting firm for non-profit organizations. He also enjoys entrepreneurial pursuits, such as his personal internet start-up company, BiiG Applications, which he started with some of his friends from high school. BiiG utilizes internet technologies to provide effective solutions to various problems in education. Through his experiences with entrepreneurship, Rajiv believes that many of our world’s most pressing issues, such as energy consumption, can be solved with innovative thinking and motivated individuals. Rajiv enjoys playing guitar, filmmaking and travelling in his spare time.
Daniel Watson
Daniel Watson is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service and has a prospective major of International Political Economy. He is interested in economic development and sustainable methods of encouraging growth. Daniel is involved with several organizations on campus including the Georgetown College Democrats, DC Reads, and the Running Club. Originally from Edmond, Oklahoma, he enjoys tractor rides and cow tipping during his free time. When he’s not out doing that, he likes to play soccer and basketball as well as relax with long Netflix sessions.
Daniel is working on the International Consulting project with the goal of making Malawi into a haven in Africa for renewable energy technologies and successful development. He hopes to continue with the project over the next several years and to see it expand to include many countries throughout the globe. He aims to turn this experience working with different parts of the world into a successful career in the fields of consulting and politics.
Nancy Hinojos
Nancy Hinojos is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She is majoring in Science, Technology & International Affairs with a concentration in Security. She is also working towards earning a certificate in International Development. This past summer Nancy interned with Northrop Grumman under both Aerospace and Information Systems. She not only supported configuration management for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (Hubble’s successor) but also supported business acquisition for the Information Systems sector. She is most interested in defense business and the role that security plays in international development. Outside of academics and professional development, Nancy is on Georgetown’s Groove Theory dance team, plays the flute, and enjoys exploring the Smithsonian.
Emily Harris
Emily Harris is a junior studying Science, Technology and International Affairs in the School of Foreign Service. Emily is serving on the International Consulting team this year after serving on the Solar Ovens team last year. She is particularly interested in energy, health and development and is excited to work with the rest of the international consulting team.
Nick DeLessio is a sophomore in the College from Bettendorf, Iowa who is very excited about being a part of Georgetown Energy’s new International Consulting team! If you ask him what he’s majoring in, he’ll tell you Economics, Political Economy, or Computer Science, depending on the day. In addition to being a member of Georgetown Energy, he works in The Hoya’s tech department, is a commissioner on the GUSA Fund, and is involved with GlobeMed and the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund. He has interned at the House of Representatives and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, but still has no idea what he’s going to do with his life. In his free time, Nick enjoys watching movies and eating caprese sandwiches from the Corp.
Education
Kate Hale
Kate Hale is a junior Environmental Biology major from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Growing up in the Northwoods, Kate developed a liking for the environment and its well-being. She spends her summers leading canoeing and backpacking trips in the Northern arctic provinces of Canada. Her interest and constant experience in this area has led her to pursue research and educational tactics in agriculture and energy sustainability. She hopes to further this passion as she continues to learn, study and explore. At Georgetown, she is currently an outdoor leader for Georgetown Outdoor Education, a founding fellow for Outdoor Nation’s campus club program, and an overall environmental enthusiast! Besides adventuring, Kate enjoys country music, Packer football, and having excellent conversations. In the future, Kate plans on continuing to lead expeditions and obtaining a teaching degree to spend the rest of her life exploring and teaching these different concentrations.