New Gund community members hail from academic units across UVM’s campus, including the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, Food Systems and the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Six UVM faculty and 18 graduate fellows will join the Gund’s 250-plus member community dedicated to understanding and tackling the world’s most critical environmental challenges. 

“I'm very proud to welcome our new colleagues to the global Gund community, where they join engaged researchers in advancing the well-being of people and nature every day," says Gund Institute Director Taylor Ricketts. "With our continued growth, we build on our strength as an active and diverse group of environmental problem-solvers, and I'm excited to see what our newest members accomplish through their work with the Gund."  

Staff members joining the Gund include two new undergraduate interns and Director of Communications Brittany Patterson. With more than a decade of journalism experience across multiple mediums, Brittany will work with Strategic Communications Manager Lauren Milideo to develop and implement a communications strategy to increase the impact and reach of the Gund’s work and to grow the institute’s reputation as a world-class center of research and solutions. 

This summer, the Gund welcomed two undergraduate students, Nicholas Preschel and Lamija Semic, who participated in research internships through UVM’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program with financial support from the Mayo-Smith family. 

New members will be honored at the annual Welcome Picnic (formerly the Welcome BBQ) on Sept. 4.  

Global Affiliates (1) 

  • John Lewis, Guandule

 UVM Affiliates (3) 

  • Diana Popa, College of Arts and Sciences, School of World Languages and Cultures 

  • Peter Newman, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Bryony Sands, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Extension 

 Faculty Fellows (3) 

  • Noelia Barrios-Garcia, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Brittany Mosher, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Mariano Rodriguez-Cabal, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

 Graduate Fellows (18) 

  • Liliana Bettolo, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment 

  • Lindsey Bouzan, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance 

  • Julie Davenson, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance 

  • Sandrine Dincki, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Agriculture, Landscape and Environment 

  • Julia Esposito, Food Systems 

  • Peter Fisher, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Electrical Engineering 

  • Holly Francis, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Ursula Georgeoglou, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Izzy Larson, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Pindar Yawulda Mbaya, Food Systems 

  • Tess Meyer, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Onome Ofoman, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Anna Schmidt, College of Arts and Sciences, Biology 

  • Garrett Simon, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Nishant Tiku, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources 

  • Cassady Turnbach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance 

  • Jeannine Valcour, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance 

  • Madeline Winer, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

Staff (3) 

  • Abigail Gagnon, Communications Intern 

  • Brittany Patterson, Director of Communications 

  • Maisie Wood, Administrative Assistant Intern 

More News 

The Gund Institute recently announced the Gund Impact Awards, a new funding opportunity for Gund Faculty Fellows. These awards aim to move solutions-oriented research to real-world action. Impact projects apply and scale solutions to environmental challenges based on demonstrated proof of concept and collaboration between UVM researchers and external partners. Proposals are led by Gund Faculty Fellows and are due October 28, 2025. Visit the Gund Catalyst & Impact Awards webpage for more information. 

About the Gund Institute   

The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont is a research center dedicated to understanding and tackling the world’s most critical environmental challenges. Driven by the belief that research should inspire action, the Institute takes a cross-sector approach to solving environmental issues with stakeholders from government, business, and broader society. The Institute focuses on five interconnected research themes: climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, equity and justice, and resilient communities. With over 250 scholars in Vermont and across the world, the Institute brings together a network of internationally recognized researchers from diverse disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, business, health, technology, engineering, and the humanities.