Meet Incredible Programs Leaders

Alya Khan

  • Listen to Dr. Alya Khan share about her STEM journey, particularly her passion for genetics, sparked by a middle school lecture and nurtured by a dedicated high school biology teacher. She overcame challenges imposed by family expectations and a lack of guidance, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and purpose in combating burnout.

    In her current role, Dr. Khan trains residents, manages the program, and conducts research in occupational and environmental health. She's actively involved in education initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and integrating climate change education into medical training.

    Dr. Khan underscores education's role in addressing climate change, advocating for interactive learning, evidence-based research, and open conversations to combat misinformation. She's concerned about climate change's impact on her children's future but finds hope in the younger generation's enthusiasm.

    Dr. Khan urges teachers and students to explore climate change, take action, and engage in discussions to drive positive change. She believes that education, combined with individual efforts, can mitigate climate change's health and societal effects.

Chelsea Choudhary

  • Chelsea Choudhary plays a pivotal role in offering engineering consulting services to local businesses, concurrently training students in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainability. The primary objective of this program is to curtail energy consumption and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of practical energy assessments, along with equipping students with the expertise to identify and implement energy-efficient measures. Chelsea's professional journey was influenced by her passion for environmental studies, which led her to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Throughout her endeavors, she has ardently advocated for the adoption of diverse solutions to combat climate change, recognizing that the global challenge demands the collective efforts of varied technologies and innovative ideas. At the heart of the program's mission lies the commitment to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in reducing their energy consumption, thus making a significant contribution to the overarching goals of sustainability and environmental preservation. Furthermore, Chelsea emphasizes the role of education and awareness-raising among students with regard to climate change and sustainability, aiming to ignite inspiration for future generations to actively engage in crafting solutions to the pressing climate crisis. During her discussions, Chelsea underscored the remarkable motivation and dedication displayed by students at UCI, who are intrinsically driven to effect positive environmental change. To foster such attitudes from an early stage, she advocates for PK-12 educators to promote multidisciplinary thinking and encourage creative problem-solving approaches, thereby cultivating an integrative mindset necessary for tackling intricate environmental challenges effectively. In essence, Chelsea Choudhary's insights and contributions exemplify the program's commitment to promoting energy efficiency, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and nurturing a generation of climate-conscious individuals. By emphasizing the values of collaboration, awareness, and education, she reiterates the imperative of unified action in confronting the climate crisis and striving toward a sustainable future. Through her role and endeavors, Chelsea epitomizes the essence of academic and professional dedication to the preservation of our planet's ecological equilibrium.

Katie Gladych

  • The primary focus of the center revolves around the rigorous testing of plug-in devices, encompassing bench testing, in-field testing, and technology road mapping to explore a myriad of advancements. Moreover, the center actively engages in collaborative ventures with utilities, extending its expertise to offer consulting services on incentive programs tailored for both the commercial and residential sectors. Katie's journey to her current role was not conventional, as her academic background in music and political science took an intriguing turn during her graduate training in Germany, where her profound interest in energy policy emerged. During her insightful discussion, Katie emphasized the often-misunderstood concept of standby power, shedding light on the continuous energy consumption exhibited by devices even during periods of non-use. Drawing attention to the criticality of effective power management, she highlighted the potential of smart plugs and advanced power strips as viable solutions to curb unnecessary energy consumption. The significance of the center's research resonates beyond academia, as Katie elucidated how their findings significantly contribute to informing policy decisions that aim to enhance energy efficiency. Moreover, she emphasized the imperative of raising awareness and fostering educational initiatives focused on climate change and sustainability, envisioning an inspiring pathway toward innovative solutions for the future. Notably, Katie also underscored the unparalleled motivation and passion displayed by students at UCI, individuals who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to making a tangible positive impact on the environment. In this context, she ardently encourages PK-12 teachers to inculcate multidisciplinary thinking and cultivate creative problem-solving approaches among students, thereby fostering an integrative mindset vital for effectively addressing complex environmental challenges. In conclusion, Katie Gladych's insights exemplify the center's resolute commitment to promoting energy efficiency, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and inspiring forthcoming generations to actively partake in climate action. Her unwavering emphasis on the principles of collaboration, awareness, and education underscores their pivotal roles in navigating the intricacies of the climate crisis and fostering a sustainable future for all.

Dr. Mani Berenji

  • Mani Berenji is a Board-certified occupational and environmental medicine physician based in Long Beach, California. She is also a faculty member at UC Irvine's Schools of Medicine and public health within the divisions of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. Her journey into the field of occupational and environmental medicine stems from a childhood fascination with science and nature. Although she initially aspired to be a veterinarian, she later switched her focus to medicine with a desire to impact people's lives directly. Through her experiences, she developed a strong interest in occupational and environmental health, especially in supporting vulnerable communities and promoting health equity. Mani's work centers on climate, health, and equity. She is a lead for community and academic partnerships at the University of California Center for Climate, Health, and Equity. In this role, she connects researchers with community groups to ensure research is conducted in areas that need it most, particularly in vulnerable communities. She advocates for sustainable workplaces and corporate social responsibility, emphasizing that even small individual actions contribute to larger positive outcomes for the environment. Mani's advice to teachers is to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in students, encouraging them to stay curious and engaged in their communities. She believes that students' voices are crucial in raising awareness about climate change and its impacts. In light of recent legal decisions, she emphasizes the importance of using social media and storytelling to amplify young voices and advocate for positive change on environmental issues.