Kruttika Gopal
CAS, Environmental Science
Junior

Kruttika Gopal (Environmental Studies, CAS) is passionate about protecting the health of vulnerable communities, particularly children, from the impacts of climate change. As a member of the Honors and SPA Leadership programs, she has conducted research on the impacts of environmental racism on public health. She also works with AU’s hub of the Sunrise Movement to organize for climate action. Kruttika was recognized as a 2021 Udall Scholar and a 2022 Truman Scholarship finalist for her work in environmental protection and justice. During her time in DC, she has interned with The Climate Reality Project and Children’s Environmental Health Network to further her knowledge of climate science and policy. Outside of environmental work, she is the president of Dime a Dozen a cappella, a board member for AU BIPOC Scholars, and former advocacy chair for the South Asian Student Association.

Max Rubin
SPA, Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) 
Junior

Max Rubin (Junior, CLEG, SPA) is a 2022 Truman Scholarship Finalist & 2022 Udall Scholarship Nominee. Max is the founder of Energy Democracy Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of environmental justice leaders and clean energy innovators through documentary films. In Summer 2021, Max contributed to a D.C. Public Service Commission filing which found households and solar companies lost $1.6 million worth of savings because of utility delays. In Spring 2022, Max interned with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, assisting efforts to achieve President Biden’s goal of a Carbon-Free electric grid by 2035. This summer, Max will be studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium focusing on EU policy. He will also be creating a case study on electric grid modernization through SPA’s PAPL. After graduation, Max intends to pursue a career advancing a more just transition to clean energy.