Katie Figueroa, CC’26, Named 2026 Ray Fellow

Congratulations to Katie Figueroa, CC’26, Named a RAY Fellow!

The Dr. Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Fellowship provides recent college graduates with a two-year, career-launching experience designed to prepare them for leadership roles in conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, professional development, and a strong peer community, the fellowship empowers participants to build the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to become the next generation of leaders in the environmental sector.

Katie Figueroa, CC’26, Named 2026 Ray Fellow

Congratulations to Katie Figueroa, CC’26, Named 2026 Ray Fellow

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Katie Figueroa, CC’26, graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in Environmental Biology and a concentration in Environmental Science. While at Columbia, her research interests focused on marine ecosystems, climate change, and conservation science and she contributed to several research projects across both marine and terrestrial systems, including NOAA’s IN-FISH program and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in the Microbial Evolution and Biogeochemistry Lab. Beyond research, Katie has volunteered with Letters to a Pre-Scientist and served as a college mentor at Columbia Double Discovery Center, where she worked to support underrepresented students' access to higher education.

Through the RAY Fellowship, Katie will serve as a Climate and Social Resilience Fellow with the Mystic River Watershed Association in Boston, Massachusetts. She is eager to continue advancing community-centered conservation efforts while supporting vulnerable communities facing environmental challenges.

Following her time in Boston, Katie plans to build on her experience by pursuing a Ph.D., remaining committed to developing equitable, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges throughout her career.

Students and alumni can learn more about the Ray Fellowship and other fellowship offerings through the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office.