Graduation Dates: June 2009
Degree(s): M. A., Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies; B.S., Earth Systems - Anthrosphere
Over the two years Saya worked at Worldwatch Institute as a MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow, she built and managed the Natural Gas and Sustainable Energy Initiative, co-authoring numerous reports and articles and organizing events on the intersection of natural gas and the low-carbon economy. She also contributed to other activities and publications as a member of the Climate and Energy Team, including Worldwatch’s Low Carbon Roadmaps for the Caribbean project, the blog ReVolt, and approximately seven articles for Vital Signs Online.
“The Fellowship exposed me to a very timely and fascinating topic, influential people in government, business, and the NGO world, allowed me to gain both depth and breadth of expertise in this field, and helped me develop very important professional skills.”
Saya Kitasei
“Saya has been a tremendous asset to the Institute. She approaches her work very seriously and effectively, and her analytical and communications skills are first rate. Her long list of publications produced at Worldwatch speaks for itself. Thanks to Saya, we have been able to make headway in the long, arduous process of bringing the gas industry and the environmental community together. And in addition to all that, Saya has helped improve internal management processes at the Institute.”
“MAP fellows typically come to us with an amazing academic background that combines knowledge of the energy and environment sectors with language skills, political or philosophical education etc.. As Stanford graduates, they constitute among the smartest thinkers of their generation. They are also highly motivated, by contributing both to research and enlightenment as well as to making the world a more sustainable place. I have worked with five of them so far, and each had their outstanding talents and skills, and each contributed to the Institute in a fashion exceeding any expectations one could have. Most importantly, MAP fellows are covered financially by their own fellowship. This means that they are providing additional (wo)manpower to an existing issue-specific initiative (like the NGSEI) or support different research projects, depending on their own interests as well as an assessment on where their assistance is most needed. Both, the issue-specific and the multi-project research support that MAP fellows have provided to the Institute in the past have been invaluable assets to the Institute.”
Alexander Ochs, Director of Climate and Energy
Worldwatch Institute