Briana Castro

Lab Founder + Director

Brianna Castro is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Sociology and Climate and Environmental Studies at Vanderbilt University. She studies the social effects of climate change in everyday life and leads research projects on climate change adaptation, migration, and governance. Castro also researches how sustainability transitions impact individuals' daily adaptation decisions. Her work can be found in journals such as Global Environmental Change, Ecology and Society, and Qualitative Sociology. In addition to scholarly research, she partners with practitioners and offers technical advising on community engagement and climate communication. When not thinking about climate change, Professor Castro enjoys hiking, camping, gardening and all things outdoors. Her hometown is in rural North Carolina. 

Undergraduate Contributors

Lily York 

Majors: Environmental Sociology & Political Science Minor: Human and Organizational Development 

Lily is a junior at Vanderbilt from Louisville, KY combining her interests of climate policy and governance by studying Environmental Sociology, Political Science, and Human and Organizational Development. Her passion for climate solutions began in middle school when she first learned about waste in the food and fashion industries. Now her research interests lie in understanding how organizations are adapting to climate change, how this affects communities, and the intersection with policy.  

Nina Liu

Majors: Pubic Policy Studies & Sociology 

Nina Liu (She/Her) is a junior double majoring in Public Policy Studies and Sociology, with a minor in History of Art. She was born in Beijing, China, and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Beyond academics, she is a ballet dancer, and loves playing the piano!  

Anabel Wilson 

Majors: Public Policy & Sociology 

Anabel Wilson is a sophomore from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Though her interests lie in global studies, the Spanish language, and conflict resolution, she is most driven by her excitement about how intercultural perspectives can better enable real-world problem-solving. She is specifically drawn to understanding how the intersectionality of oppression and cooperation can help us imagine interconnected modes of liberation and progress. This interest in problem-solving and oppressive forces led to an interest in climate migrants and migration policy more generally. 

Bob Boyang Chen 

Majors: Environmental Engineering & Computer Science

Bob Chen is a freshman majoring in Environmental Engineering and Computer Science. Originally from Qingdao, China, Bob is also an active member of the Vanderbilt Men's Frosh Rowing Team. Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys playing soccer, running, and traveling, and has a passion for playing the oboe.

Ella Seo

Majors: Not yet declared 

Ella is a freshman from New Hampshire with a strong interest in sociology, environmental science, and biology. Passionate about interdisciplinary research, she is also deeply committed to advocacy, DEIJ, and community service. Outside of her academic and advocacy work, she enjoys ballet, reading poetry, taking walks, and visiting museums.

Alexandra Sheldon

Majors: Environmental Sociology & Economics, Minor: Business  

Alex is a sophomore at Vanderbilt from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is focusing on global food systems, innovative agriculture, and sustainable business practices. Outside of academics Alex is a student-athlete and is as a teaching assistant for the Biological Sciences Department. With a strong interest in graphic design Alex serving as the CLIMA Lab web developer. 

Klara Phillips 

Majors: Environmental Sociology, Minor: French 

Klara is a freshman from Phoenix, AZ, majoring in Environmental Sociology with a minor in French. In high school she worked for an environmental nonprofit, Earth Gives, and led her school's environmental activism club. At the same time, she was an avid member of her mock trial team. Combining these passions, Klara aspires to work in environmental law, with a specific focus on Indigenous land and water rights. Aside from academic pursuits, Klara enjoys dancing, listening to music, hiking, and trying new foods.