Climate and Health Research Fellowship

Reach Center climate and health research fellowship

2025 program dates:

May 27, 2025 - December 8, 2025

Meet Our 2025 Fellows

REACH Center Overview

The Research and Engagement for Action on Climate and Health (REACH) Center is a multi-institutional, NIH-funded exploratory center led in partnership by George Washington University, George Mason University, Howard University, and the Environmental Defense Fund. The REACH Center aims to bridge big data to climate solutions that advance health and environmental justice. Specifically, the Center leverages the power of novel geospatial datasets and research co-generation with governmental and nongovernmental partners to research health and equity impacts of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions from local to global scales.

Fellowship Program Overview

The REACH Center Climate and Health Research Fellowship Program will cultivate a collaborative cohort of three student fellows across REACH institutions, empowering them to engage effectively with community partners in identifying and implementing solutions to climate change and health challenges. Through this initiative, fellows and community partners will enhance their capacity for engagement and climate research, fostering connections that strengthen institutional collaboration and lay the groundwork for future research proposals.

This cohort of students, composed of one student from each partner institution (i.e., GWU, GMU, HU), will work collectively on an assigned project that is responsive to a selected community partner’s needs. Supported projects will be aligned with REACH Center goals to leverage the power of big data for climate solutions that advance health and environmental justice. Fellows may be asked to assist with data collection, interpret large datasets for applications to local concerns, write reports, conduct literature reviews, prepare policy briefs, and assist with outreach and education such as community events, stakeholder meetings, town halls and community listening sessions.

What Kinds of Projects Will the Cohort Engage in?

Assigned projects will be aligned with REACH Center goals to leverage the power of big data for climate solutions that advance health and environmental justice. Fellows may be asked to assist with data collection, interpret large datasets for applications to local concerns, write reports, conduct literature reviews, prepare policy briefs, and assist with outreach and education such as community events, stakeholder meetings, town halls and community listening sessions.

Sample Project on Air Quality Monitoring: Fellows could work with community partners who are conducting air quality monitoring with low-cost sensors that measure particulate matter (PM) pollution. These sensors have been used in many citizen science applications around the country to understand how PM varies.
Fellows may be asked to assist community partners with the installation of monitors, conduct data analysis and interpretation, and estimate impacts on human health. They could also translate these findings into educational materials, publications, and/or policy documents together with community partners.

Sample Project on Health: There is evidence linking health conditions such as asthma to environmental factors and climate change. Fellows could assist community partners to better understand these health risks as a prerequisite for developing mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The cohort of fellows may be asked to work with community partners to identify stakeholders, translate data into accessible language for community members, and incorporate climate science into health promotion activities.

Sample Project providing Technical Support to Organizations in the Community: The cohort of fellows may be asked to identify and interpret data that explores the relationship between climate change and urban heat, local flooding, or access to green and blue space, and could work to explore mitigation and adaptation measures to improve the resilience of communities along the Anacostia River.

Role of Community Partners

The REACH Center will identify a community partner who will work with the fellowship cohort to design a project that is responsive to and reflects community concerns, with the expectation that the collaboration occurs in all steps of the project, from design and implementation to follow-up and dissemination of key findings. Community partners are also encouraged to participate in REACH activities, e.g. seminars and workshops, and to work with REACH principal investigators on sponsored research projects that are relevant to their concerns.

Through this initiative, fellows and community partners will enhance their capacity for engagement and climate research, fostering connections that strengthen institutional collaboration and lay the groundwork for future research proposals.

Fellowship Director: Dr. Janet Phoenix

Fellowship Admin Support: Katie O'Donnell

Who Should Apply?

Applicants must be currently enrolled as a graduate student at the master’s or doctoral level at one of the REACH Center academic partner institutions (i.e., George Washington, Howard, and George Mason universities). This fellowship is open to graduate students in any discipline. One student from each of the REACH Center partner institutions (i.e., GW, HU, GMU) will be selected for the fellowship program.

This fellowship is designed to support outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, have a strong interest in community-engaged work, and show a deep commitment to advancing health and environmental justice through equitable climate solutions. The program provides an enriching experience that includes mentorship, professional development, and financial support to help students achieve their goals.

Fellowship Benefits & Expectations

Fellows are expected to:

Spend approximately 120 hours engaged with the fellowship program
Participate in REACH Center activities (e.g. seminars, trainings, and workshops)
Prepare and present a summary of their fellowship work at the end of the term

Selected fellows will receive:

A stipend of $2,000 to be paid out in monthly installments throughout the course of the fellowship
Access to mentorship opportunities with community organizations and faculty members
Networking opportunities with peers and professionals in the field

2026 Fellowship Application details will be shared late Fall 2025!

View 2025 Fellowship Call for Applications

Application Content/Instructions

Interested applicants must submit the following materials:

Applicant Information
Resume or CV
Current Transcript (Official or Unofficial)
Reference Letter (note: must be from a faculty member at one of the partnering institutions)
Responses to Essay Questions (note: response limit to 1500 characters per question; questions are provided in the Appendix of the Call for Applications)

Scoring Criteria and Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by a panel representing REACH institutions and scored based on the following criteria:

Community Engagement Experience
Research Experience (e.g. projects and work history)
Academic Record (e.g. academic performance and achievements)
Commitment to Focus Area and Experience with Climate Science
Cross Disciplinary Goals and Problem Solving/Consensus Building Ability

2025 Fellowship Project

The 2025 cohort of students, composed of one student from each academic partner institution (i.e., GW, GMU, HU), will work collectively to support the DC Health Office of Environmental Protection's Climate Adaptation and Heat Health Resiliency programs. Focus areas include the development and implementation of the Division of Outdoor Environment’s Climate Adaptation program. The cohort will also collaborate with other Administrations within the agency, including the Community Health Administration and the Office of Health Equity. The selected fellows will focus on meeting program objectives and deliverables to ensure their effectiveness, efficiency, and impact on residents and visitors concerning Climate Change and Heat Health impacts. This role involves collaborating with program staff, stakeholders, and community partners to collect and analyze data, report findings, and recommend strategies and interventions to best support public health outcomes in the District of Columbia.

2025 Fellows

This exceptional group of fellows was carefully selected to bring a balanced mix of skills and experiences in public health and climate data, positioning them to effectively and collaboratively engage during their placement with DC Health:

Hoda Hallaji, PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering, George Mason University

Hoda Hallaji is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering at George Mason University, where her research focuses on high-resolution air quality modeling to support equitable and science-based environmental policies. As part of an NIH-funded initiative through the REACH Center, she investigates the health and equity impacts of transportation-related emissions and road pricing strategies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Her work integrates cutting-edge modeling tools—including the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the SMOKE emissions processing system—to simulate pollution at the neighborhood level with 1 km² resolution. By linking emissions, meteorology, and health data, she helps quantify disparities in exposure to pollutants such as NO₂ and PM₂.₅, particularly in low-income and racially marginalized communities.

Hoda earned her Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tehran. Her current research applies advanced atmospheric models and geospatial data analysis to explore how transportation policies can reduce air pollution, mitigate climate change, and improve public health outcomes. Through her work, she aims to inform policies that are not only effective but also just—ensuring cleaner air and healthier environments for all communities, especially those historically overburdened by environmental risk.

Jie Min, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate, George Washington University

Jie Min holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington. His interdisciplinary career journey bridges environmental science, public health policy, and infectious disease clinical research. Currently, Jie supports the research and educational mission of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program at the Uniformed Services University, where he facilitates programmatic and scientific advancements that aim to improve the health and readiness of U.S. service members and beneficiaries. Jie is also a Doctor of Public Health student at the GWU. His dissertation, titled “Spatiotemporal Distribution of Mosquito-Borne Pathogens in Response to Climate Change and Human Displacement in South America,” explores the complex interplay between climate change, forced migration, and infectious disease dynamics, with a focus on flaviviruses and bunyaviruses in South America. The research applies spatiotemporal modeling, epidemiological data, and environmental surveillance to inform adaptive public health strategies.

Driven by a strong commitment to evidence-based decision-making and with aspirations to become a leader in managing scientists and guiding future research portfolios, Jie is poised to become a catalyst for innovation in public health, leveraging his technical expertise and leadership to drive strategic planning and advance population health outcomes.

Alycia Triplett, PhD candidate in Atmospheric Sciences, Howard University

Alycia Triplett is a Ph.D. student in the Atmospheric Sciences program at Howard University, where she explores the intersections of severe weather communication, risk perception, and decision-making, particularly for socially vulnerable communities. She has had a diverse range of research experiences ranging from storm surge modeling and severe thunderstorm analysis to qualitative data collection and enhancing decision support for a variety of end-users. Alycia is also deeply committed to service and representation, currently holding leadership roles in the Howard University Graduate Student Assembly and having previously served in student government at Jackson State University, where she earned her B.S. in Meteorology summa cum laude.

Through the REACH Center Fellowship, Alycia aims to apply her interdisciplinary background to the escalating threat of climate change on human health and to make atmospheric science more accessible and equitable. Ultimately, Alycia strives to bridge the gap between weather, climate, and community resilience, ensuring that critical weather and climate information is effectively communicated to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?: Applicants must be currently enrolled as a graduate student at the master’s or doctoral level at one of the REACH Center partner institutions (e.g., George Washington, Howard, and George Mason universities). This fellowship is open to graduate students in any discipline.
Are graduate students enrolled in online programs eligible to apply?: Yes, graduate students enrolled in online programs at REACH partner institutions are eligible to apply. However, the nature of the fellowship requires in-person engagement so you would have to be local and able to participate directly.
If a student intends to graduate before the end of the fellowship, will they still be eligible to participate?: Students must be actively enrolled at one of the partner institutions for the entire duration of the fellowship.
When is my application due?: The 2025 online application deadline is April 13, 2025. Applications must be submitted by 11:59PM EST.
Is this a paid internship?: Yes, we provide fellows with a $2,000 stipend. The stipends will be disbursed in equal payments on a monthly basis (the last day of each month). The last payment is paid after all final products are submitted.
What is the fellowship timeline?: The 2025 fellowship will begin on May 27, 2025 and will end on December 8, 2025. Fellows are expected to spend approximately 120 hours engaged with the program (roughly 5 hours a week). More information and the application announcement for the 2026 fellowship will come out in late Fall 2025.
How many students will be selected?: One student will be selected from each REACH academic partner institution (i.e., GWU, GMU, and HU), for a total of three students.
Who should I contact with any questions?: If you have questions or need clarification on the application requirements, please contact Katie O'Donnell at catherineodgwu [dot] edu (catherineod[at]gwu[dot]edu).