Prizes

The MSc in Environmental Technology maintains strong links with alumni students in the business sector and has been privileged to be awarded a series of prizes from some of the top companies in the environmental arena.

Winners 2022/2023

Environmental Resources Management Prize

Stefania-Alexandra Juks

Stefania completed the Environmental Economics and Policy option on the MSc Environmental Technology in 2023. Her thesis researched a multi-criteria assessment framework to understand eco-friendly gas alternatives for particle detectors. The project investigated emission mitigation from the particle physics research community in collaboration with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). Now, she continues her work as a new Doctoral Student at the University of Paris-Saclay.

"I'm grateful to have been awarded the Environmental Resource Management Prize. After completing the course in Environmental Technologies, I wanted to use the knowledge in my research to propose an interdisciplinary approach to the alternative gas search in high-energy physics applications and beyond. I must thank my supervisors, Gbemi Oluleye and Gianluca Rigoletti, for all the guidance they've provided me, as well as the entire team of the CERN Gas Group for their support."

Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize

Yufei Wei

Yufei recently graduated from MSc Environmental Technology in EAM option. Her thesis examined the influence of uncertainty on post-combustion Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) deployment in the Humber Cluster, which explored the cost range and its implications on the decision-making of investors and policy-makers.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize. Dr. Zen Makuch's inspiring Environmental Law course broadened my perspective and ignited my enduring passion for environmental policymaking and legislation. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Nixon Sunny, for his invaluable support in my thesis. Thanks to everyone in CEP for making this year truly amazing."

AECOM (First Prize)

Martje Köppen

Martje Köppen is a Research Associate working on the (contested) role of law in the Net Zero transition at the University of Oxford. She is also a Dean's Scholar at the Faculty of Law reading for her DPhil in Climate Change Law at the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme, where she researches the legislation and regulation of Carbon Dioxide Removal. Prior to joining the Sustainable Law Programme, Martje served for the German government on the conceptualisation and establishment of Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs). Martje holds a Law degree from Bucerius Law School (Scholar of the German Government) and an MSc in Environmental and Energy Technology from Imperial College London (Imperial Scholar, Scholar of the German Government and Turing Scholar).

“I am incredibly excited to have been awarded the AECOM prize. The MSc programme really centers on the topics I am most passionate about: Sustainable Energy and the Net Zero Transition. For a whole year I was lucky enough to study the intricacies of these topics which I care about so deeply! Thus, it really means a lot to me that my achievements in the degree where recognized with this prize. Many thanks to both the committed, intellectually curious and truly brilliant lecturers and students on the course. Learning with and from you was a fantastic experience. The friendships we formed at Imperial are very dear to me!”

AECOM (Runner-up Prize)

Eirini Sampson

Eirini recently completed the Global Environmental Change Policy Option during her MSc on Environmental Technology in 2023 as an Onassis Scholar. She continued her academic journey with CEP and is now a PhD Researcher, investigating a just heating transition in the UK, funded by the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet Doctoral Training Partnership. Her thesis investigated the role of energy communities in decentralising and decarbonising district heating in the EU, proposing a rule-based framework formed around the Danish district heating example. Prior to the completion of her MSc at Imperial, she completed her first MSc on Energy: Strategy, Law and Economics at the University of Piraeus in Greece after receiving her LL.B from Queen Mary University of London in 2021.

"I am honoured to have been awarded the AECOM prize. The interdisciplinary nature of the MSc taught me how to move outside of my comfort zone and develop a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of the field. I am grateful to have met peers whose calibre and passion inspired me daily. My work would not have been made possible without the endless support of my parents, sister, and friends who not only provided me with continuous encouragement but also lent me their eyes and ears for my work throughout this academic year."

Nigel Bell Prize

Vitor Sousa Domingues

Vitor Sousa Domingues is a Brazilian biologist holding an MSc in Microbiology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and specialising in contamination management and remediation. Through his research, he published scientific articles and secured a patent. For seven years, Vitor has served as an environmental analyst at the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), contributing to the development of environmental policies in Brazil. Vitor is a Chevening scholar. His thesis on mercury contamination in the Amazon, stemming from artisanal and small-scale gold mining, paved the way for a project in collaboration with WWF-Brazil to extend contamination modelling across different watersheds, generating data to safeguard traditional communities and biodiversity.

“I am honoured to receive the Nigel Bell Prize, a recognition of my efforts to understand and mitigate the social and environmental impacts of pollution in South America. I must acknowledge my friends and family for their support before and during this journey, the support given by my supervisor, Dr Maria Vinograd, and my colleagues from all the partnering organisations. The thesis is just one of the outcomes of several collective initiatives led by different fellows committed to safeguarding our ecosystems, notably the traditional communities. Looking ahead, I am eager to apply my knowledge towards the increase of environmental governance, particularly in the Global South. I envision working closely with NGOs, businesses, and international organisations to further preserve the environment.”

The Professor Tony Goddard Prize

Martje Köppen

“I am particularly grateful and proud that my thesis was recognized as the best thesis in sustainable energy by receiving the ‘Professor Tony Goddard Prize’. I am deeply passionate about the topic of my thesis which developed a novel model to assess the adequacy of policy instruments to scale carbon management solutions in heavy industry. I am convinced we need evidence-based policy making to meet Net Zero. So, it has been incredibly rewarding to contribute to this cause with my thesis and to know that my research was valued so much. I am grateful to my external collaborators at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the guidance I received from my stellar supervisor, Dr. Gbemi Oluleye – the most competent, supportive and enthusiastic supervisor I could have wished for: thank you!"

Aether Prize

Eirini Sampson

"I'm thrilled to have been awarded the Aether prize. I am truly grateful for Karen and Zen Makuch who led our Option with passion and conviction that we can make a change in the world. The Global Option taught us how to be pragmatic, innovative and passionate problem-solvers in a climate-changed world, something I carry with me in the work I am doing now and something I know I will carry with me for the rest of my career."

Prizes and Awards

Environmental Resources Management Prize

A prize awarded for best thesis, showing originality and innovation; sound theoretical basis; critically applied methodology; incisive discussion and wider implications and practical application.

Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize

An annual award to a postgraduate student from the Department of Environmental Science and Technology for the best overall performance on the Environmental Law course of the MSc in Environmental Technology.

AECOM (First Prize)

An annual award for the most outstanding overall course performance on the MSc Environmental Technology.

“AECOM is delighted to support the annual awards for outstanding overall course performance on the MSc Environmental Technology. The content of the MSc is very relevant to the environmental work that AECOM undertakes to address the major sustainability challenges of our time, including climate change and biodiversity loss.”

AECOM (Runner-up Prize)

An annual award for the second most outstanding overall course performance on the MSc Environmental Technology.

Nigel Bell Prize

An award for the best research thesis on a topic related to pollution management.

The Professor Tony Goddard Prize

The Prize will be awarded to the student adjudged by the College to have produced the best MSc research thesis in the field of Sustainable Energy within the Centre for Environmental Policy.

The Oraee Fund

A generous donation from CEP alumni brothers Dr Behdeen Oraee (PhD Centre for Environmental Policy 2014) and Dr Nikzad Oraee (MSc Management 2010, PhD Centre for Environmental Policy 2013) has enabled the Oraee Fund that supports five awards each year for students in the Centre for Environmental Policy.

Prizes

Winners 2021/2022

Environmental Resources Management Prize

Dan Barraclough

Dan currently works as a systems change consultant and completed the Global Environmental Change and Policy option onthe Msc in 2022. Dan's thesis analysed the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on energy markets internationally, and what this meant for energy affordability in the UK both today and in the future. Prior to the completion of his Masters, he spent 4 years in management consulting and graduated from the University of Edinburgh in Geography and Economics.

"I'm thrilled to have been awarded the ERM prize. I chose to focus on energy affordability in the wake of the Russian war in Ukraine, so hopefully my research will help shed some light on the true impact of the war on everyday households here in the UK. Thanks to the guidance I received from my supervisor, Zen Makuch, and to Phil Heptonstall who assisted me with my model."

Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize

Coline Choraine

Coline is a recent graduate from the Environmental Technology MSc (GECP option) at Imperial College. Over the years, she has developed a strong interest in the relationship between our economic system, international trade and climate change. Coline wrote her thesis on the WTO compatibility of Carbon Border Adjustments with GATT Articles I, III and XX and assessed how the European Union’s recent CBAM proposal would work within the international trade regime. Coline will now begin a six-month internship at the World Trade Organization, in the Trade and Environment division in Geneva.

“ I am honoured to have been awarded the Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize. Zen and Karen have been amazing and very supportive. Their passion for Environmental Law is truly inspiring and contagious. Witnessing how Zen applied his experience in trade law to environmental policymaking, in particular, was decisive in guiding my own career choices. Thank you for an amazing year!”

AECOM (First Prize)

Dan Barraclough

"I'm absolutely delighted to be awarded the AECOM prize. I learnt so much during my year of study thanks to being surrounded by amazing teaching staff and inspirational peers. Amongst all of the climate doomism we see today, it is the students on this course that have provided me with a sense of quiet optimism surrounding the environmental challenges we face, and I can't wait to follow the progress we make as a collective cohort. I'm indebted to my family, friends, and teachers as without their support I wouldn't have been able to achieve this - so thank you!"

AECOM (Runner-up Prize)

Natasha Harland

Natasha recently graduated with Distinction from the MSc in Environmental Technology (2022) in the Energy Policy option. Her thesis explored the future of energy security in Morocco using an energy system modelling software, specifically assessing Morocco’s reliance on natural gas. Since October 2022, she has started her career at ERM as an environmental consultant specialised in sustainable energy and transport.

“It was an honour to receive this prize, and I am very grateful to the CEP teaching staff and my 2021-2022 coursemates for such an enjoyable and rewarding year on the course! A huge thanks in particular to Dr Iain Staffell and Dr Malte Jansen in the Energy Policy option.”

Adnams Prize

Daisy Nicholls

Inspired by the B&E term, Daisy’s dissertation explored how the current practices of UK fast food businesses compares with the practices required to achieve healthy and sustainable diets. She is now working as a Research Analyst for ImpactARC, an impact investing advisory firm.

Since leaving Oxford, where she studied Chemistry, Daisy has worked for a number of organisations committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: the Felix Project, a charity aiming to combat food waste and food insecurity in London; the International Citizen Service, a government-funded programme with projects contributing directly towards ending poverty; and Veragon, a start-up whose ‘Air to Water’ Generators harness the humidity in the air to provide a sustainable water source. Most recently, she worked at Tesco where she was involved in several different projects across their Supply Chain.

“I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do the MSc and am particularly grateful to the B&E cohort – I learnt so much from each of them and particularly enjoyed our reflective sessions where we tried to thrash out what it really means to be a ‘sustainable business’. The course has given me the confidence to express my opinions and to question everything.”

Nigel Bell Prize

Guanyang Luo

Guanyang is a 2022 graduate from the Environmental Technology MSc at imperial College London, specialized in the Integrated Water Management option. She completed her BSc of Environmental Science from University of Nottingham in 2021. Through this year of study at IC, she enriched her professional knowledge about water and soil management. Guanyang’s thesis focuses on assessing the effects of climate change on land contamination risk assessment, which was completed with the assistance of Jason and Rosie from Arup.

“I am honored to be a joint recipient of the Nigel Bell Prize. This achievement would not have been possible without anyone, anything and any difficulties I have encountered during the MSc year. I promise that I will fight for the cause of environmental protection all my life.”

The Aether Prize

Dan Barraclough

"I'm chuffed to be awarded the Aether Prize. The GECP option offers a truly rounded understanding of the political and legal tools available to solve systemic environmental problems, and I'm sure I'll take forward many of the skills learnt to my future career. It was a challenging semester made easier by all of my peers on the option, who were a delight to work with and who challenged my conventional thinking on a daily basis."

The Professor Tony Goddard Prize

India Palmer-Tomkinson

India completed her undergraduate degree in Physics at Durham University before joining the Energy Policy cohort on the Environmental Technology MSc. Her thesis projected future global nuclear waste quantities and waste management options in the context of reaching net zero.

"I am honoured to have been chosen for the Professor Tony Goddard Prize. I found the thesis term both an interesting and rewarding experience and am grateful to both of my supervisors for all their help."

Prizes and Awards

Environmental Resources Management Prize

A prize awarded for best thesis, showing originality and innovation; sound theoretical basis; critically applied methodology; incisive discussion and wider implications and practical application.

Ross Makuch Memorial Law Prize

AECOM (First Prize)

An annual award for the most outstanding overall course performance on the MSc Environmental Technology.

AECOM (Runner-up Prize)

An annual award for the second most outstanding overall course performance on the MSc Environmental Technology.

Nigel Bell Prize

An award for the best research thesis on a topic related to pollution management.

The Aether Prize

An award for best overall academic performance on the Global Environmental Change & Policy Option of the MSc Environmental Technology.

“Aether is pleased to sponsor the prize for the Global Environmental Change and Policy module of the Environmental Technology MSc at Imperial. We’re always excited to see their work, and a few of our staff graduated from this module.”

The Professor Tony Goddard Prize

The Prize will be awarded to the student adjudged by the College to have produced the best MSc research thesis in the field of Sustainable Energy within the Centre for Environmental Policy.

The Oraee Fund