Doctoral student wins Quad Fellowship

Ganesh Chelluboyina, a doctoral student in the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, received a 2023 Quad Fellowship.

The Fellowship is an initiative of the governments of Australia, India, Japan and the United States, and is operated by Schmidt Futures in consultation with a nongovernmental task force composed of academic, foreign policy and private sector leaders. The inaugural class includes 100 Fellows, 25 from each Quad country. 

Chelluboyina is a graduate researcher in the lab of Rajan Chakrabarty, the Harold D. Jolley Career Development Associate Professor in energy, environmental & chemical engineering, which focuses on complex aerosol systems research. Chelluboyina studies light absorbing aerosols – small carbonaceous particles in the atmosphere – particularly organic aerosols that result from wildfires.

“I have always been passionate about environmental issues, particularly climate change,” Chelluboyina said. “As wildfires are becoming increasingly common across the Quad countries, especially in the U.S. and Australia, I seek to answer questions regarding the climate warming impacts of this diverse class of aerosols, which can also be blown by wind and deposit on glaciers, accelerating glacier melt.”

As a Quad Fellow, Chelluboyina joins a group of diverse, interdisciplinary, inspiring and exceptional students who are the next-generation of great STEM minds, according to a statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Chelluboyina will have the opportunity to build ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists to advance innovation and collaboration in the private, public and academic sectors, in and among Quad countries.

“The fellowship will help advance my research in climate warming organic aerosols and provide opportunities to engage with researchers across multiple disciplines from the U.S., India, Japan and Australia,” Chelluboyina said. “These collaborative discussions among Fellows who are all very passionate about solving global challenges, and about creating a positive impact, will be immensely useful in advancing innovation in my own research and beyond.

“In addition, I look forward to deepening my understanding of the intersection of climate science and policy,” Chelluboyina said. 

Chelluboyina was one of eight fellows selected to attend the official announcement Dec. 9 in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and attended by the ambassadors of Australia, India and Japan.

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