The UMD Global STEWARDS program welcomed its newest cohort of graduate student fellows this month. The 10 new Global STEWARDS Fellows come from four UMD schools and colleges (SPH, AGNR, AEED and CMNS). Through the program, the new Fellows will engage in interdisciplinary research training and experiential activities focused on innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure food, energy and water (FEW) security both in Maryland and around the globe.
“Our innovative program has three overarching goals: to ensure that our trainees emerge as stellar interdisciplinary scientists, to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields related to the FEW nexus and to prepare our trainees with the critical transferable skills that will enable them to be successful across diverse career pathways,” said UMD Global STEWARDS Director Amy R. Sapkota, MPower Professor and chair of the SPH Department of Global, Environmental and Occupational Health.
The program consists of experiential coursework that includes participation in an interdisciplinary FEW nexus research project, a professional development series, an optional local internship, short-term study abroad trips to Nepal, Tanzania or Israel and involvement in FEW-related outreach, service and mentoring.
“As a UMD Global STEWARDS Fellow, students are not only advancing their research but are also part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary community that encourages creative problem-solving, networking and leadership development,” said Assistant Research Professor Suhana Chattopadhyay, UMD Global STEWARDS program manager. “Being a fellow represents a commitment to applying academic skills to drive sustainable, positive change in food, energy and water systems from local to global scales.”
The UMD Global STEWARDS program was launched with funding from the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program in 2018. Now that the initial grant is winding to an end, the program is being sustained through the Global FEWture Alliance, an Institutional Grant of the UMD Grand Challenges Program.
The new cohort of UMD Global STEWARDS Fellows and their advisors are:
- Nick An (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Rosenberg-Goldstein - Gerry Andhikaputra (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Amir Sapkota - Rafian Aziz (AGNR)
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Lansing - Fahmi Dwilaksono (AGNR)
Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Lansing - Asangwing Formukong (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Amy R. Sapkota - Tiberias Okanga (CMNS)
Advisor: Dr. Russell Dickerson - Bukola Temitope Fabunmi (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Heather Amato - John Augustus Samura (AEED)
Advisor: Dr. Colby Silvert - Ujjwol Subedi (AGNR)
Advisor: Dr. Abani K. Pradhan - Qingyue Zeng (AGNR)
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Blaustein
Learn more about the 2025 Global STEWARDS cohort at the program’s website.