Involvement in the RCE will be primarily through Fellowships. Each year, the RCE plans to award fellowships to 2 students. Details on how to apply for such fellowships will be determined as the RCE grows.
2023-2024 Fellows
Halima Salah Ph.D. Candidate
Halima Salah, a Somali-Canadian PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at Wayne State University, earned her BSc in Civil Engineering with a minor in Environmental and Water Engineering from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in 2017. She obtained her M.S. in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University in 2021. Before graduate school, her undergraduate and professional experiences spanned the Water Resources and Wastewater Treatment fields in the U.S., UAE, and Qatar.
She was awarded the 2021-2022 NSF-NRT Transformative Research in Urban Sustainability Training (T-RUST) fellowship at Wayne State University and co-led the seminar-course titled “Emerging Hazards associated with Climate Change” (ESG 5620/BIO 5060). Through T-RUST, her research delves into the interactive effects of air pollution and heat islands on urban agriculture yield and metal concentrations.
In 2022-2023, Halima became the Ralph Cicerone Fellow in Earth System Science Modeling at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)’s Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling (ACOM) lab. Currently, she serves as a research assistant at the Huang Research Lab, focusing on research involving the intercomparisons of commonly used emissions inventories.
Mohamed Dabaja Ph.D. Candidate
Growing up in Metro Detroit, Mohamed Dabaja witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by his community, including substantial air and water pollution. These issues underscored the urgent need for increased awareness and the proactive implementation of urban sustainability measures. Determined to drive positive change, Mohamed pursued an undergraduate degree in biology and nutritional sciences, graduating from Wayne State University in 2020.
As his passion for sciences and community grew, he took the next step in his educational journey by enrolling in the Ph.D. program at Wayne State University’s Department of Biological Sciences. His current research focuses on the impact of environmental factors on fertility.
Beyond his research, Mohamed serves as the Graduate School Representative on the Student Senate, where he has supported initiatives aimed at fostering a more biodiverse campus community. His dedication to education extends to his role as an instructor in the Comparative Physiology lab, where he educates students about the effects of water pollutants on the physiology of the model organism Daphnia magna.
Ali Shakoor, Ph.D. Candidate Wayne State University
Ali Shakoor is a PhD candidate at Wayne State University specializing in Aquatic Ecology and a Graduate Fellow for the United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE). With over 30 years of experience as a USCG licensed charter captain on the Great Lakes, he competes in top fishing tournaments like the Cabela’s/Bass Pro Masters Walleye Circuit and has numerous top-ten finishes, including a record-setting win in 2018. Ali’s passion for the outdoors, cultivated through hunting and fishing in Michigan, led him to earn a BS in Biology and an MS in Conservation Ecology from the University of Michigan. His expertise in fish biology, ecology, and behavior, along with his ability to communicate these topics effectively, has made him a popular speaker at fishing events. Ali is excited to bring his experience and dedication to sustainability to his work with the UN-RCE, contributing to projects that support environmental stewardship. He partners with industry leaders such as Warrior Boats and Mercury Marine, blending his scientific knowledge with practical experience in the fishing community.
Ashley Lee, J.D. Candidate University of Windsor
Ashley Lee, a first-year law student at the University of Windsor, earned her BSc at the University of Windsor. Upon admission into the law school after three years of studies in neuroscience, she earned her BSc General Science in 2024.
She was selected to be a part of the Outstanding Scholars program during her undergraduate studies, working as a student researcher for two years. The lab focused on research in memories, cognition, and therapy applications. Her understanding of the need for interdisciplinary collaboration developed throughout this opportunity. Continuing as an Outstanding Scholar, she plans to use her knowledge in health/psychology and law to further advance research initiatives.
As a Windsor local, she hopes to be a voice for the community with a focus on the transnational implications associated with this location.
Youth Ambassadors
Vishal Swamy
Vishal Swamy, a high school student from Novi, Michigan, is a passionate sustainability advocate, empowering youth to drive meaningful sustainable change across the state. As the Founder of the Stewards Sustainability Leadership Institute 4-H Club, Vishal has taken a leadership role in various organizations and initiatives. He serves on the Novi Youth Council, Project Green Schools National Youth Council, 4-H State Youth Leadership Council, and MSU Extension State Advisory Council. Recently, he launched Michigan EGLE’s Environmental Education Youth Advisory Committee and collaborated with the Oakland Dep’t of Sustainability to secure $100K in alternative energy budgeting for 2025. In addition to his project work, Vishal is an active advocate, delivering speeches at the EPA Headquarters, hosting panels at EGLE MISCON, and organizing Michigan’s Youth Sustainability Summit. His efforts have earned recognition from U.S. President Joe Biden, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the National 4-H Council, the EPA, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and Rep. Debbie Dingell. As a Youth Ambassador for the Detroit/Windsor UN-RCE, Vishal is committed to building a strong student network, representing peers across the tri-county region, and ensuring youth remain at the forefront of sustainability efforts. You can reach Vishal at vishal.swamy75@gmail.com
