Meet our Student Ambassadors

Ahmed Ali

University of East Anglia, MSc Environmental Sciences

I am studying for a Master's degree in Environmental Science at the University of East Anglia. I work as a Health, Safety, and Environment Manager in the mining sector in Sudan. My passion for environmental science stems from a deep desire to contribute to protecting and improving the world we live in. The acceleration of environmental degradation due to the non-adoption of sustainable industrial technologies in Sudan has resulted in conflicts over limited natural resources, deforestation, degradation of land, and the loss of habitat and biodiversity. This is what motivates me to pursue career advancement in the environmental field so that I can assume leadership roles and implement the necessary policies and innovations to halt environmental deterioration. Environmental sciences offer us ways to protect and preserve the future of our planet. This is more than just a business; it is my personal mission to leave a better world for our descendants. I feel great happiness being a Student Ambassador for the Institution of Environmental Sciences. This will enable me to raise environmental awareness and join a network of environmental specialists.

Anna Baddeley

University of Glasgow, Environmental Geoscience

I am a third year student studying Environmental Geoscience BSc at the University of Glasgow. My favourite geoscience fun fact is that humans move about 24 times more material around the surface of the planet than rivers move sediment to the oceans. My academic interests intersect science communication with the anthropogenic impact on the geological and ecological, from the formation of polluting chemicals to the fundamental processes that transport and alter the properties of these materials. I hope to understand how humans have changed the seemingly unchangeable world we occupy.

Anumta Shariq

Nottingham Trent University, BSc Environmental Science

My passion for environmental science comes from the current climate crisis happening and how it is affecting our daily lives, without people realising it. I have a deep love for the world we live in, and I believe it essential to conserve the beauty of the Earth.
The areas that most interest me are climate resilience, sustainability and global energy. We need to tackle the rising water and temperature levels, making sure we
prepared for how we need to face these pressing challenges. Transitioning to renewable energy from fossil fuels is a key part to creating a cleaner and sustainable environment. More efficient technologies will help us shape into this future.
A fun fact to do with sustainable energy is the world’s largest wind turbine blades are longer than a football field!
I have taken part in several conservation activities, including heathland conservation (where I removed invasive shrubs) and pond conservation (where I cut overhanging trees to allow oxygen and sunlight to reach the water). I have also conducted research in the Peak District, looking at the rock structures and the long-term decline of mountains.

Bukola Omoyeni

University of Manchester, MEnvSci Hons Environmental Science with Industrial Experience

I first became passionate about environmental issues while learning geography and reading the news. Still, biology and chemistry have always been some of my favourite subjects, so I wanted to learn more about the science behind our Earth. Environmental science is such a broad, interdisciplinary subject, and it's hard to pick just one area of interest, but learning about the conservation and pollution of water ecosystems has always been particularly interesting to me. In the future, I aim to use my degree to promote environmental awareness and apply sustainability on a wide scale.

Chukwudi Ihezie

Loughborough University, MSc Climate Change Science and Management

My passion for environmental science comes from growing up in Nigeria, where issues such as flooding, pollution, and poor sanitation directly affect community health and everyday life. These experiences shaped my commitment to understanding how environmental systems influence public health, risk, and resilience. With a completed Master of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health and now studying Climate Change Science and Management at Loughborough University, my interests sit at the intersection of climate change, disaster risk, and the public-health impacts of environmental conditions. I am especially motivated by the reality that over 80% of global disasters today are climate-related, showing how critical environmental science is for designing solutions that protect vulnerable populations. My academic work reflects this focus. My research has explored sustainable wastewater treatment approaches, including the use of orange-peel-based adsorbents for textile pollution and combined electrocoagulation–electrooxidation systems for industrial effluent treatment. These approaches are centred on low-cost, scalable environmental solutions for developing regions. Beyond research, I have contributed to WASH advocacy through the Abuja Sanitation Conference 2024, where I supported efforts toward an open-defecation-free Federal Capital Territory. These experiences continue to strengthen my drive to bridge climate science, environmental health, and practical, community-focused interventions.

Jacob Vijayan

Bangor University, BSc Hons Environmental Science

My name is Jacob and I am a student at Bangor University studying a BSc in Environmental Science.

Liberty Abbott

Bangor University, BSc Hons Environmental Conservation

I study environmental conservation at Bangor University and I come from the midlands. I am interested in where people and the environment intersect, particularly policy, agriculture and land-use. I have previously been a volunteer ranger for the National Trust for Scotland and I'm currently a planning volunteer for CPRE Buckinghamshire. I love being active outdoors and am a keen wild swimmer, walker and cyclist. I also recently joined my university ultimate frisbee team which has become my new favourite sport. Fun fact about me: when I was 15 I coded a quiz that matched your personality to a species of ant.

Lliew William Yunn Shang

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Master of Environment

I’m currently a Master of Environment student at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), with a strong passion for environmental sustainability, green technology, and sustainable agriculture. My experience spans indoor hydroponic farming, blue carbon and seaweed-based projects, algae-derived sustainable aviation fuels, and sustainable coastal development. I also run WillFormMedia, a media agency specialising in event media coverage, corporate productions, and ESG-focused storytelling. Through this work, I help institutions and organizations communicate sustainability with clarity and impact, blending visual storytelling with environmental purpose.

Beyond academics, I have over five years of experience as a professional speaker, delivering talks on ESG, sustainability, and media literacy for schools, companies, and community programmes. I enjoy translating complex environmental ideas into messages that people of all ages can easily understand. Outside of my professional work, I’m active in the Scout Association of Malaysia, love travelling to different countries, and enjoy engaging with entrepreneurs and academicians to exchange ideas. I’m also passionate about hiking and exploring nature — experiences that constantly reconnect me to the environment I hope to protect. As an IES Student Ambassador, I hope to bridge science, communication, and youth engagement — and create projects such as documentaries, with the support of IES, to close the gap between the public and environmental experts. I want more people to see sustainability not just as a topic, but as a story worth knowing and a responsibility we all share.

Mathimalar Manisundar

University of Manchester, BSc Hons Environmental Science

My name is Mathimalar and I am a student at the University of Manchester studying a BSc in Environmental Science.

Noor Alhinai

Sultan Qaboos University, MSc Environmental Science

For as long as I remember I have loved animals and nature. Also, biology was my favourite subject at school! That’s where my passion started, and I choose to continue in this path and study environmental sciences because the more I learn about it the more I am interested! I liked the majority of what I studied, but specifically I loved natural resource economics, it was a great mix between environment and economics. Furthermore, I liked behavioural ecology, studying animal’s behaviours and the science behind it and how to protect them mentally and physiologically was very interesting. Finally, I really enjoy waste management in different aspects in plastic pollution, recycling, waste segregation and so on. I have recently learned that urban fabric can really change our perception of environment. You can be only few metres away from your friend, but both feel temperature differently! Currently I am working as a research assistant in another MSc project that assess the ecological impacts of plastic pollution and reducing its impact through behavioural interventions, it is in one of the beaches in Oman, we want to assess how signages will change pollution behaviour of the beach visitors.

Nurul Nadiah Binti Ali

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Master of Environment

My passion stems from the nexus of water, food, and energy, where all three resources are interconnected and essential for human survival. Understanding and managing this nexus is crucial to achieving environmental sustainability. It motivates me to discover innovative solutions that promote sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and clean water systems. With collaborative effort we are capable of developing smarter, greener technologies that balance ecological health with human progress by integrating biotechnology within this framework. Biotechnology offers innovative ways to restore and protect our planet if applied to solve real-world environmental challenges. My area of interests are climate actions and biotechnology to solve environmental issues, which focuses on water, food, energy and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, I am also interested in science communication because it is essential for information delivery. It bridges the gap between scientific research and the public, ensuring that knowledge is accessible, understood, and can inform decisions on health, policy, and societal issues. Consequently, it strengthens public trust and inspires future scientists by making complex information relatable and engaging. Hence, environmental science connects human activities with the natural systems that sustain life. My environmental science fact is 'the ‘ocean is awesome’ because the oceans act as the planet’s largest carbon sink and produces half of Earth’s oxygen. It absorbs 25% of carbon emissions and 90% of excess atmospheric heat, nevertheless rising temperatures and CO₂ levels are causing ocean acidification and harming marine life. This weakens the ocean’s ability to regulate the climate.

Sebastian Courtois

University of Portsmouth, BSc Hons Environmental Science

I'm eager to help preserve our local green spaces and protect local wildlife. I'm particularly interested in rewilding projects and the ways in which new urban developments can accommodate nature. For example, the Bosco Verticale buildings in Milan have been designed to allow 730 trees to grow on the balcony and roof, which provide a home to over 1600 birds and insects. Personally, I have mainly been involved in local forestry projects around my home town. I have also volunteered at a local wildlife rescue centre. I look forward to representing the IES and helping promote sustainable causes at my university.

If you are currently studying on an accredited programme you are eligible for free Student Membership. If you are not a member and want to support our work to ensure effective and science-led environmental policy, you can join as an Affiliate Member, or if you’re a professional in the environmental sector working with science, consider becoming a Full Member of the IES.

If you deliver environmental science programmes (or other science based environmental programme) at your institution, and want to join the largest environmental science accreditation scheme in the world, please do get in touch with Sally at education@the-ies.org or visit CEDHE to find out more.