Students
Lucy Corthell: Coast-to-Coast for Climate Reform
A senior in earth and environmental engineering, Lucy’s cross-country journey led her to a passion for climate reform.
Moving from the West Coast to the East Coast can be daunting—but for senior Lucy Corthell, it was the perfect challenge.
The Seattle native found her New York City home at Columbia’s Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, and with a double major in physics, Lucy hopes to drive change in green energy and climate reform. An undergraduate researcher at the Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC) and in Dan Steingart’s Battery Lab, Lucy investigates lithium and sodium ion thermal stability to improve battery safety.
Lucy was recently awarded the 2025-26 James C. Gaither Junior Fellowship, a one-year program under the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. As a fellow, she plans to work as a research assistant in Carnegie’s Sustainability, Climate and Geopolitics Program – working with Carnegie’s senior scholars to support the mission of solving the most difficult global problems and safeguarding peace.
Lucy reflects on her time at Columbia Engineering—and how it ignited her passion for climate justice.
What first drew you to Columbia?
So many reasons but the top three are: 1. Research–specifically within the Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC) and with Dan Steingart (Stanley Thompson Professor of Chemical Metallurgy and Department Chair of Earth and Environmental Engineering). There are so many valuable labs and research opportunities at Columbia to support hands-on learning. I also really loved doing research with Diana Hernández (co-Director of the Energy Opportunity Lab at the Columbia Center for Global Energy Policy) writing an essay on energy justice that is part of a larger encyclopedia on environmental justice. To have experts and mentors who are at the top of their field and willing to work with undergrads is so inspiring and motivating. 2. Columbia Engineering stands out for its balanced gender ratio, and I learn best in more inclusive environments like this. 3. Columbia is an international institution with students from all around the U.S. and world, and I wanted to attend a University with a global mindset. I am able to learn from not only my professors but also my peers.
Students at Columbia get the opportunity to learn from so many different perspectives which I think creates a community that excels in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. New York City is also very international so it is great to have the resources of a big city as an extension to the classroom.
What’s an “A-Ha” moment you had as an engineering student?
Don’t travel, study abroad. Every time I study outside or even in different regions of the U.S., I gain different perspectives. Collectively, this has helped me become a better leader, critical thinker, and problem solver. Finding research, fellowships, and scholarships to support my studies and learn from many mentors around the world has been so important to my career trajectory and understanding of what kind of life/work is most fulfilling to me. I am so thankful to my many mentors.
What’s a moment at Columbia that shifted how you see yourself—or your future?
Being able to work in a lab alongside exceptional PhD students made me realize how much I love research. It is really energizing to be around people who care so much about the same topics as you do. I have learned so much from the Steingart Lab and it has inspired me to pursue a PhD in the future.
If you could send one piece of advice to your first-year self, what would it be?
Go to office hours! Professors often have interesting stories or bits of advice. Ask questions, be curious, and approach life with a growth mindset. That is easier said than done but keep reminding yourself that your willingness to learn matters more than knowing all the answers– and every expert was once a beginner too. Our campus is full of resources and brilliant people to learn from.
Any words of wisdom you'd like to share with your fellow grads?
To my fellow engineers, we don’t wait to inherit peace or climate justice, they're engineered. I hope we lead our future careers with intention because the next generations depend on our decisions today.
Lead Photo Credit: Lucy Corthell BS’25, a senior in earth and environmental engineering