Meet the 2025 winners of the Pitt Sustainability Awards! Through the University of Pittsburgh, these students, faculty, staff, and groups are determined to build our sustainable future. Read on to explore these vital strides in balancing equity, environment, and economics.
Erika Ninos Student Leadership Award
Neeha Kolli, Environmental Science
Neeha Kolli has been an active advocate for sustainability on campus since her freshman year, beginning her involvement with Plant 2 Plate student garden, serving as both a volunteer and board member. Neeha perpetuates this passion as Managing Student Director of the Student Office of Sustainability (SOOS). On campus, her work in sustainability extends to Greek life, Clinicians for Climate Action (C4CA), the Sustainability in Pitt’s Health Sciences, and the Student Outreach Resources Center (SORC), with additional work to improve reproductive rights and accessibility. Neeha’s work has notably expanded to UPMC hospitals, both through her creation of the UPMC Greenhouse Gas Inventory tool and implementation of sustainable consumption and waste practices.
Faculty Awardees
Amanda Artsen; Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Dr. Amanda Artsen is an emerging leader in healthcare sustainability, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication across multiple roles at the University of Pittsburgh. She founded green teams at MWRI and Magee, co-leads Magee’s Environmental Quality Team, and has been a key figure in Clinicians for Climate Action. Dr. Artsen also established a special interest group for urogynecologists focused on sustainability. Her research includes life cycle cost analysis and environmental impact studies, and she actively contributes to educational outreach through invited talks and panel discussions on sustainability in healthcare.
Warren Ruder, Associate Professor, Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering
Dr. Warren Ruder is a leader in sustainability and bioengineering both within and outside the University, with over 15 years of experience in ecological innovation. As an Associate Professor in Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, he has been instrumental in promoting sustainability initiatives through his role as liaison between Bioengineering and the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. His groundbreaking work includes engineering plants for optimized biomass production, with a focus on duckweed for sustainable food, fuel, and tissue engineering applications. Dr. Ruder’s interdisciplinary research blends sustainability with cutting-edge bioengineering, while his leadership and mentorship have fostered a collaborative environment in his department.
Student Awardees
Kelly Barko, PhD Student, Neuroscience
Kelly Barko successfully initiated a pilot composting program for animal-related waste at Bridgeside II — and is already planning to extend this effort all 10 of the University’s animal research facilities. Her continued leadership and determination for sustainable change makes exemplary contributions to Pitt’s Sustainability Plan.
Neha Devineni, Biology and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies with certificate in Global Health
Neha Devineni has made significant contributions to sustainability and food security at the University of Pittsburgh and beyond. As the Food Recovery Heroes student group’s Business Manager, she increased food recoveries from twice a week to five days a week and helped support the launch of initiatives including the Food Security Lockers. Neha has also been instrumental in forging partnerships with local organizations like Jubilee Kitchen and Mechanics Coffee to help reduce food waste across Pittsburgh. As President of student group Students for Sustainability, she has led volunteer efforts and expanded the club’s outreach, working the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and others.
Phoebe Esser Katz, Mechanical Engineering
Senior Mechanical Engineering student Phoebe Esser Katz is the lead student researcher on the PA Rural Solar Research project. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership and initiative, organizing team meetings, onboarding new members, and managing research logistics with precision. Phoebe played a central role in designing the survey instrument, preparing the IRB application, and developing data systems that keep the team aligned. Her strong communication skills, critical thinking, and dedication to sustainability research made her an essential part of the project. Phoebe’s contributions elevated the team’s impact and fostered a collaborative, effective, and inclusive research environment.
Staff Awardees
Swati Banerjee, Lab Manager, Thathiah Lab, Neurobiology
Swati Banerjee perpetuates the spirit of sustainability in Pitt’s Green Thathiah Lab through her multifaceted promotion of eco-friendly practices. Her implementation of recycling tailored to labs showcases her determination to enhance waste production and treatment. Swati’s successful lab energy use reduction resulted in noticeable drops in lab energy use and operational costs. In addition to direct action, the Thathiah Lab fosters a welcoming culture of sustainability through both education and awareness, helping inspiring members to pursue eco-conscious lifestyle choices both in the lab and at home.
Ernest Robinson, Senior Manager of Custodial Services, Facilities Management
Ernest Robinson is a vital partner and champion for sustainability at Pitt, and his work towards Pitt’s goal to reduce landfill waste 25% by 2030 is honorable. Amidst managing the Pittsburgh campus’s custodial operations and team, Ernest prioritizes integration of sustainability measures. He has helped lead waste diversion initiatives including compostables, specialty materials (including pipette tip box recycling), and pilots to improve waste data tracking marks vital strides towards a more sustainable future. Across all efforts, Ernest has been a patient, persistent, and helpful partner to and champion for University-wide Sustainability efforts.
Group Awardees
Food Recovery Heroes
Food Recovery Heroes (FRH) is a student-powered initiative rescuing surplus food from Pitt dining halls, UPMC, local restaurants, and events — and then distributing it to hunger relief partners including the Pitt Pantry, Jubilee Kitchen, and Wilkinsburg Community Ministry. With support from Pitt Eats’ dining team and 412 Food Rescue, FRH volunteers package and deliver thousands of meals each semester. The student group is currently recovering more food than ever before, helping reduce waste and fight food insecurity on and off campus. Their efforts directly support Pitt’s goal to reduce landfilled materials 25% by 2030, while building a stronger, more sustainable and food secure Pittsburgh.
Heinz Memorial Chapel, Brynne Bashioum (Luketic) and Karen Sebolt
Karen Sebolt and Brynne Bashioum have transformed Heinz Memorial Chapel into a model of creative, small-scale sustainability. Despite the Chapel’s historic limitations, their teamwork led to achieving “Mighty Oak” status in Pitt’s Green Office program. Brynne, as Sustainability Ambassador, coordinated initiatives from staff Green Host training to printer and lighting upgrades, vase reuse, and creating event signage that promotes eco-consciousness. Karen’s leadership brought lasting impact, including a major lighting retrofit projected to save $15,000 annually. Together, they’ve proven that even a small, historic department can lead with innovation, inspire others, and embed sustainability into daily operations and long-term culture.
Caps for a Cause, Tara Stakich
Tara Stakich, with support from Wendy Romeo and Vanessa Legeza, is leading the way in sustainability through the “Caps for a Cause” project, part of the “People First Organizational Culture” initiative in the Pitt’s Department of Medicine. The Caps for a Cause project engages staff across all divisions to collect plastic bottle caps (plastic types 2, 4, and 5) instead of discarding them. Collected caps are cleaned by the Division of Geriatric Medicine and counted in a friendly competition. Through October 2024, the team gathered approximately 1,100 pounds of plastic, which will be transformed into park benches. Additional team members include Jessica Higgins, Marisa Eckles, Yvonne Hollenbach, Will McDade, Andrew Mininger, Pranavan Sriranganathan, and Xhesi Ndreca.
Student Sustainability Champions
Starting in 2021, Pitt started recognizing graduating students who made significant contributions to sustainability both on- and off-campus during their time at Pitt. This year’s Student Sustainability Champions are:
Afifa Farooqi, Microbiology
Class of 2025
Pitt EcoReps & Pitt Pantry
Amanda Chen, Pre-Med
Class of 2025
Pitt Pantry Student Coordinator
Angel Mary Joseph, Film and Media Studies
Class of 2025
Thriftsburgh Store Associate
Brandon Sia, Mechanical Engineering
Class of 2025
President of Food Recovery Heroes
Camryn Dorney, Information Science
Class of 2025
Thriftsburgh Store Associate
Cherie Hill, Psychology
Class of 2025
Pitt Pantry Student Coordinator
Chiamaka Okpara, Information Science
Class of 2025
Office of Sustainability Intern
Emma Thomas, Emergency Medicine
Class of 2025
Pitt Pantry Student Coordinator
Gal Yovel, Biology
Class of 2025
Food Recovery Heroes Member & National Food Recovery Network Student Chair
Geetika Godavarthy, Geology & Environmental Science Class of 2025
Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory Engagement Intern
Hailey McGarrity, Chemistry
Class of 2025
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Intern
Jaydep Halder, Microbiology/Sociology
Class of 2025
Student Government Board, Chief of Staff
Jennah Reibsome, Environmental Studies
Class of 2025
Managing Student Director of Thriftsburgh
Justin Tuminello, Environmental Studies and Political Science
Class of 2025
Conservation Club and Pitt Pathfinders
Katie Bergstrom, Communication Science and Disorders
Class of 2025
Pitt Green Fund Student Director
Lauren Powell, Environmental Science
Class of 2025
Teaching Assistant for GEO 1333: Sustainability course
Luke Genco, Chemistry
Class of 2025
Food Recovery Heroes Member
Nichole Kazmierski, Environmental Studies
Class of 2025
Teaching Assistant for GEO 1333: Sustainability course
Paloma DiBella, Environmental Studies
Class of 2024
Office of Sustainability Intern
Pip Mostern, Anthropology and Environmental Studies
Class of 2025
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Intern
Quincey Kilbride, Environmental Engineering
Class of 2025
Pitt Eats Intern
Viktoria Cercone, Geology
Class of 2025
Pitt Green Suite Student Associate, Student Office of Sustainability
Willow Freeman, Economics and Environmental Studies
Class of 2025
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Intern