Story
Meet the 2024 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award nominees
The fight for a healthier planet takes center stage as UCLA unveils the nominees for the 2024 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.
This year’s candidates hail from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, united by an unwavering drive to tackle today’s most urgent environmental challenges.
From revitalizing Indigenous fire management practices to amplifying the voices of children in climate justice, these trailblazers are reshaping the future. Among them are scientists uncovering healthy ecosystems, activists spearheading transformative policy and technologists creating platforms that empower communities worldwide.
- Stephany Campos, director of strategic planning and special projects, Homeless Health Care
- Thomas Crowther, professor of ecology, ETH Zürich
- Daniel Fernando, co-founder and director, Blue Resources Trust
- Nina Gualinga, co-director and spokesperson, Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de La Selva
- Michael Martinez, founder and executive director, LA Compost
- Adenike Oladosu Titilope, climate researcher, ILeadclimate Action Initiative
- Ryan Reed, program director, FireGeneration Collaborative
- Mohsen Rezaie-Atagholipour, founder and director, Qeshm Environmental Conservation Institute
- Brian & Eric Sheng, co-founders, Aquaria
- Boyan Slat, founder and CEO, The Ocean Cleanup
- Ben Strong, science and machine learning lead, Earth Genome
- Christopher Trisos, director, African Synthesis Centre for Climate Change, Environment and Development
- Callie Annette Veelenturf, marine biologist and executive director, The Leatherback Project
- Francisco Vera Manzanares, fundator and leader, Guardians for Life
The 2024 candidates were nominated by prominent environmental leaders from around the globe, all of whom recognize their potential to drive lasting change.
In the months ahead, an expert committee will narrow the field to three finalists, who will be considered by a distinguished panel of judges: Antonio Bernardo, dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management; Jeanne Holm, deputy mayor for finance and innovation for the City of Los Angeles; Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, dean of the Samueli School of Engineering and UCLA professor; and Abel Valenzuela, Jr., dean of social sciences and UCLA professor.
The judges will select a winner, who will be announced at a special ceremony on October 30th. The winner will receive a $100,000 prize and finalists will take home $5,000, made possible by the generous support of the Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation.
As we build up to the announcement, we’ll be spotlighting each of these candidates across our website and social media platforms (@uclaioes). Follow along as we share their stories and celebrate their efforts to secure a sustainable future for all.
