2026 LEAP SUMMER REU PROGRAM
Overview
LEAP’s 2026 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program offers summer undergraduate research experiences (SUREs) on synergistic innovations in data science and climate science. This 10-week Program is in partnership with the NSF Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program at UCAR.
The REU Program hosts undergraduate researchers and offers a wide array of enrichment learning and networking opportunities. LEAP is committed to building a vibrant research community at the intersection of climate science, data science, and real-world impact.
All students will be supported by a team of researchers and graduate student mentors. We want our students to succeed and learn what it takes to make a larger impact on the world via STEM research. Upon completion of the Program, students may have the opportunity to continue their research or present their findings at academic conferences.
Program
The 2-week Momentum Bootcamp (May 26 – June 4) will be led by:
- Gabriele Accarino (Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Dept. of Earth + Environmental Engineering, Columbia University)
- Matthieu Blanke (Postdoctoral Associate, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU)
- Linnia Hawkins (Associate Research Scientist, NCAR / Dept. of Earth + Environmental Engineering, Columbia University)
- Ayon Roy (Graduate Research Assistant, Columbia University)
- Addisu Semie (Associate Research Scientist, NCAR / Dept. of Earth + Environmental Engineering, Columbia University)
The 8-week Research Experience (June 5 – July 31) will be led by the following Project Leads/Mentors:
2026 REU Participants
IBRAHIM AHMED
Project 2: Discovering Simplified Cloud Models with Machine Learning (van Lier-Walqui / Loftus)
Ibrahim is an Electrical Engineering major with a growing interest in AI and machine learning research. He’s fascinated by how intelligent systems are built and loves exploring the ways they can be applied to solve real problems. He wants to contribute to research, break into industry, and eventually launch something of his own. The entrepreneurship bug has definitely bitten him.
DOMINIQUE AVENDANO
Project 5: AI-Driven Simulation Agents for Urban Infrastructure Risk Modeling (Zheng / Li)
Dominique is a dedicated researcher and student from North Carolina State University. Their work is focused on the intersection of statistical analysis and the environment to address the changing planet as global warming increases. Professionally, Dominique aims to contribute to high impact projects that can impact and help those affected by extreme weather, with the ultimate goal of pursuing a PhD in Statistics.
Beyond their academic pursuits, they are most proud of their tenure as President of the Statistics Club. Under their leadership, the club transformed into a vibrant community, focusing on both helpful and fun activities. This experience solidified their passion for collaborative problem-solving and demonstrated their ability to lead diverse teams toward a common goal with both empathy and analytical precision.
GABRIELLA GARCIA
Project 3: Climate Data Science Communications (Lang / Badaki)
Gabriella is a first-generation senior at the City College of New York. Formally, she’s a double major in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) and Science Learning and Public Engagement (SLPE.) To say it quickly, she’s pursuing Earth sciences and science communication. Her research interests include analyzing the impacts of climate change on urban environments and anything having to deal with the Earth’s biological or geological processes. Professionally, she aspires to be a scientist dedicating herself to studying the Earth while also uplifting local communities by teaching them about Earth science. One achievement that she is very proud of is her co-creation and current hosting of semesterly “Tree Walks” on the City College campus. Designed with the thought of promoting SLPE’s core values of accessible education and sustainability, Tree Walks teach the CCNY community about the local campus trees!
ZEMICHAEL GOBENA
Project 3: Climate Data Science Communications (Lang / Badaki)
Upon starting his college journey, Zemichael developed academic interests at the intersection of emerging technologies, including robotics / mechatronics, embedded systems, and their applications in space technology, data science, and fintech. Regardless of the path he explores, he demonstrates a strong commitment to impactful leadership in STEM.
He founded Embed Ed, an organization that teaches embedded systems and programming workshops at local middle schools to help bridge resource gaps in his community. As a former Junior Ambassador for the National Society of Black Engineers, he represented seven states, led conference workshops, and delivered speeches to audiences of over 500 attendees. He was also recognized as National Pre-College Male of the Year at the Gold Torch Awards.
JACOB HAHN
Project 2: Discovering Simplified Cloud Models with Machine Learning (van Lier-Walqui / Loftus)
Jacob is a sophomore at Columbia University studying data science and mathematics, with research interests in machine learning, modeling, and their applications to real-world decision-making. His research so far has focused on building interpretable mathematical models, including research on predicting influenza vaccine uptake.
Jacob aims to pursue a career in quantitative applications, where he can apply rigorous mathematical and computational tools in environments that reveal groundbreaking results. He is particularly drawn to problems that require both technical depth and clear communication of insights.
Outside of academics, Jacob is an Eagle Scout and enjoys activities that give back to the community. He is immensely excited to be a LEAP REU 2026 summer student, and is looking forward to spending another summer in NYC.
SAM KUEMMEL
Project 1: Tropical Forest Changes and Carbon Dynamics in a Warming World (Weng)
Sam is a Statistics major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a passion for environmental data science. He has a particular interest in forecasting climate change effects, with experience in programming and geospatial analysis that he strives to incorporate into his work. His past work has included modeling watershed contamination, analyzing residential lawn coverage, and working with organic farming datasets. In the future, he hopes to develop easy-to-use climate modeling pathways for disadvantaged regions to better fight the climate crisis. The personal achievement he is most proud of is designing and building a student garden at a local middle school, increasing access to organic produce and sharing food sustainability with youth in the process.
FIONA LI
Project 4: Probabilistic Forecasting of Cloud Microphysics with Stochastic Interpolants (Lamb / Ko)
Fiona is a rising Junior at Florida Institute of Technology. She is pursuing a degree in Aviation Meteorology with Flight training, and is currently a private pilot who has recently started working on her instrument rating — which allows flight through clouds and IFR (low visibility and ceilings) conditions. Alongside flight training, Fiona takes on recent interests in studying fog, with a focus on improving forecasting tools through analysis and verification of observational data. Fiona hopes to one day become a part of NOAA’s hurricane hunters, where she can utilize her skills in flight and meteorological research. Among her proudest personal achievements is earning her private pilot certificate while maintaining Dean’s List honors — a testament of her dedication to balancing rigorous academics with practical aviation training.
JUSTIN LIU
Project 4: Probabilistic Forecasting of Cloud Microphysics with Stochastic Interpolants (Lamb / Ko)
Justin is a sophomore at Columbia College studying Mathematics-Statistics. He’s interested in pursuing machine learning research and is considering graduate studies in statistics or mathematics too. One of his proudest personal achievements is recently creating and running an online business with his high school friend. In his free time, Justin enjoys listening to classical piano, visiting art museums, and walking through parks.
SABEEHA MALIKAH
Project 6: Evaluating Machine Learning-Based Convection Parameterizations in CESM/CAM7 (Semie/ Yang / Medeiros)
Sabeeha is a rising senior at CUNY Brooklyn College studying applied mathematics, computer science, and data science. She is interested in applying her computational and analytical skills to research that addresses real-world issues affecting the global community. She also hopes to pursue further studies in applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field after completing her undergraduate degree. She has recently coauthored a research paper, which has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. She plans to continue contributing to the scientific community and helping to discover innovative and effective solutions.
ALEX REYES
Project 5: AI-Driven Simulation Agents for Urban Infrastructure Risk Modeling (Zheng / Li)
Alex is a rising junior at UCLA majoring in Mathematics of Computation, a joint program in applied math and computer science. He is interested in using computational methods to model physical systems, with a focus on climate science. Through independent projects and data journalism, he has worked with environmental and urban data to explore how weather and extreme events shape real-world systems. These experiences deepened his interest in combining data-driven approaches with mathematical modeling to understand how systems respond to stress.
He plans to pursue graduate study in applied mathematics, with an interest in applying quantitative methods to socially impactful problems. One of his proudest personal achievements is teaching programming to younger students and helping them build confidence in skills they initially found intimidating.
NINAD SATISH
Project 6: Evaluating Machine Learning-Based Convection Parameterizations in CESM/CAM7 (Semie / Yang / Medeiros)
Ninad is an undergraduate researcher and computer science major at UC San Diego. His research has thus far focused on probabilistic generative modeling applied to scientific forecasting problems, including weather prediction. He is passionate about developing machine learning methods that are not only theoretically rigorous but directly useful for real-world applications. Over the past year, he has worked to apply novel stochastic interpolant-based generative models to physical forecasting tasks. Beyond applied work, he is deeply interested in fundamental machine learning research, particularly in architecture discovery. He is interested in pursuing a PhD in a related field.
BEN WANG
Project 1: Tropical Forest Changes and Carbon Dynamics in a Warming World (Weng)
Ben is a sophomore at Columbia University majoring in Data Science and minoring in Sustainable Development. He is passionate about using data and technical skills to research climate systems, forests, and air quality. He is especially excited to learn more about how machine learning can be applied to climate applications. In high school, he conducted environmental research at the American Museum of Natural History, motivating him to pursue climate related research. In the future, Ben is interested in graduate school for data science (also climate related though!), and eventually working as a data analyst or machine learning engineer in climate tech. He once ran an 18 minute 5k, which he is very proud of. Outside of research, he loves to play ultimate frisbee, run in NYC parks, and listen to music.
NSF SOARS PROTÉGÉ
KYRA RYDBERG
Project 6: Evaluating Machine Learning-Based Convection Parameterizations in CESM/CAM7 (Semie / Yang / Medeiros)
Kara Rydberg is a fourth-year undergraduate meteorology student at the University of Florida, and an NSF SOARS Protégé. Her research interests include convective and synoptic-scale storm dynamics, extreme precipitation events, radar and remote sensing applications, and the integration of machine learning and AI into weather analysis and forecasting.
Professionally, Kara aims to obtain her Ph.D. in atmospheric science and conduct research focused on improving the forecasting of high-impact weather events like flash floods, snow squalls, and ice storms.
One of Kara’s proudest personal achievements is becoming the first graduate of the University of Florida’s meteorology degree under the General Atmospheric track.
Projects
Click the image below to learn more about the Summer 2025 REU Research Projects and Project Mentors.
Important Dates
- May 25: Move in to campus housing
- May 26 – July 30: On-campus Research Experience
- August 1: Move out of campus housing