Meet Our Team

2025 IUCN WCC GCELS Team

Meet the Students, Faculty and Alumni who are part of our 2025 IUCN WCC team lead by Professor Achinthi Vithanage, Executive Director of the Pace | Haub Environmental Law Program.

Lara O’Callaghan (3L, JD 2026)

I chose to explore the issue of zoonoses and the ways in which environmental management strategies can be leveraged to mitigate disease transmission because I am interested in the intersection of conservation and public health. I believe this topic is particularly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and given the emerging threat of avian influenza. My passion for this issue was initially sparked in a college class on disease ecology, where I was introduced to the concept of One Health and related disciplines like conservation medicine. Additionally my volunteer work in a pediatric therapy clinic has provided me with valuable insights into community health and its intrinsic links to the environment. These experiences have inspired me to learn more about the complex challenges of improving health outcomes, particularly as environmental changes and animal health directly influences human well-being.

Victoria Sawchuk (3L, JD 2026)

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest in a family of doctors sparked my passion for both the outdoors and public health. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of bird flu, my partner, Lara, and I saw a pressing need for a motion that strengthens the relationship between zoonotic risks and conservation efforts. During graduate school, I studied the importance of communication, grassroots involvement, and international relations within the context of environmental law. Therefore, our motion specifically calls on international cooperation, collaboration with local communities, and the expansion of educational programs. Incorporating these actions into our motion was important to me because the spread of zoonotic diseases poses significant global risks, demanding collective action. Moreover, community education and engagement play a crucial role in mitigating zoonotic diseases and promoting conservation efforts, as they raise awareness and promote effective preventative practices.

Harrison Bench (3L, JD/MEM 2027)

I currently serve as the Deputy Executive Director of Students for Climate Action, an environmental non-profit I co-founded in high school. Over the course of my 8 years with this group, I’ve seen firsthand how influential citizen advocacy can be. I’ve attended countless Town Board meetings, I’ve provided testimony before environmental regulators, and I’ve organized Congressional forums. Since enrolling at Pace | Haub Law, I’ve been eager to study international environmental law. Sadly, the mechanisms for public participation we take for granted in the United States aren’t guaranteed around the world. I was inspired to learn more about the Aarhus Convention and Escazú Agreement, which both seek to advance this important principle. As we look ahead to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, I’m optimistic that the motion I submitted will push more countries in the right direction, and give a voice to those that are most impacted by environmental policies.

Francesca Gugino (3L, JD/MEM 2027)

I am passionate about the intersection of climate change, the agri-food sector, and law and policy. I began my work with GCELS as a research assistant under Dean Emeritus Ottinger, where I helped draft a motion on fossil fuel subsidy reform. Although that motion did not make it to the voting stage, I have continued to stay involved with the IUCN motions process as a GCELS research assistant. In this role, I hope to support fellow students and alumni as they navigate the IUCN motions process and to contribute to creating meaningful international environmental policy—from classroom to congress.

Nicole Trent (3L, JD/MEM 2027)

I am interested in business and the environment, with a particular focus on addressing barriers to the clean energy transition. I began my work with GCELS as a research assistant under Dean Emeritus Ottinger, where I helped draft a motion on fossil fuel subsidy reform. While that motion did not make it to the voting stage, I continued my work with GCELS as a research assistant under Professor Vithanage. I am passionate about supporting my classmates as they prepare their motions for Congress and about contributing to meaningful progress in the field of international environmental law.

Justyna Makimiuk (LLM 2025)

My interest in environmental law stems from my awareness that human impact on the natural environment has reached critical levels. I am deeply concerned about the devastation that we are inflicting on remaining unspoiled terrestrial and marine ecosystems and I worry that the current legal regime that is in place in order to prevent further destruction is insufficient. I believe that the marine environment, and the flora and fauna associated with it, is in greater danger than the terrestrial environment due to the fact that most people do not have easy access to it and its destruction is not as obvious as that of forests and meadows. The international community has a responsibility to protect the species that live in the oceans, not only for our own sake but also for the sake of those that will come after us. Every species that is driven to extinction by our actions is an irreplaceable loss that cannot be reversed. IUU fishing is a complex issue, because it is difficult to investigate and the legal safeguards in place to combat it are not always effective due to challenges in enforcement. I believe that we must focus on supporting port states, because they are in the best position to effectively target vessels engaged in IUU fishing.

Morgan Martin (JD 2025)

My interest and personal experiences growing up fishing, as well as my passion for sustainable practices, fueled the initial idea for a motion on fishing. After conducting initial research, I realized there was an opportunity to address an unsustainable fishing practice that is prevalent in the international fishing landscape. My colleague and I then dove into the issue regarding illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUU Fishing). We both are very passionate about addressing the numerous issues pertaining to IUU fishing. Our hope is that this motion continues to contribute to global legal efforts aimed at addressing IUU fishing.

Maria Lambert (LLM 2025)

I chose this topic because I believe the private sector holds immense potential to drive meaningful climate adaptation and biodiversity preservation. Growing up in Delhi, where the air turned toxic and seasons became increasingly extreme, I experienced firsthand the impacts of the changing climate. Yet, I also saw how businesses, often viewed as part of the problem, could become powerful allies in creating solutions. The private sector’s reliance on natural resources and its influence on ecosystems make it a critical player in building climate resilience. However, current strategies focus heavily on mitigation, leaving adaptation—essential for long-term survival—underprioritized. This topic resonates deeply with my journey because it bridges my passion for environmental justice with my belief in innovative, inclusive solutions. By strengthening business engagement in climate adaptation, we can protect not just ecosystems but also the communities and identities intertwined with them. This is my fight—for a resilient, sustainable future where people and nature thrive together.

Maria Jovita Lambert is a dedicated legal professional specializing in Climate Change, Environmental Law, and Human Rights. With a strong background in legal research and advocacy, her present work focuses on climate adaptation, private actors, and climate justice. Following completion of her LLM, she joined Pace Haub Law as the Associate Director for International Affairs and Graduate Programs and Adjunct Professor.

Isabella Mazzei (LLM 2024)

As I was doing my LLM in Environmental Law, I watched a documentary on land conservation in Guatemala, a country rich in biodiversity and home to 22 Indigenous languages. This sparked my curiosity about the connection between language and environmental conservation practices, leading me to explore how Indigenous languages serve as vessels of ecological knowledge. I quickly realised the importance of protecting those languages as a way to promote conservation.

Madison Routledge-Pettus (JD 2025)

As a fifth generation farm kid, I often feel like I inherited the issue of soil health. I came upon soil security as I was working on a paper on nitrogenous fertilizer runoff and pollution for my advanced international environmental seminar. I was later graciously invited to join the team of proponents. The resolution was drafted by the Chair of the IUCN Soil and Sustainable Agriculture Law Specialist Group (SoilSAL).

Juliette Planes (LLM 2025)

I started researching this topic as part of my LLM program, building on my background in gender and climate justice in International Law. I chose to undertake this topic because gender equality is a fundamental yet often overlooked component of effective conservation. Through my academic research with the Panthéon-Sorbonne University and l’École Normale Supérieure and professional experiences with the French government and UNESCO, I have witnessed how the lack of gender-responsive policies and the absence of mechanisms to address gender-based violence hinder sustainable development and environmental governance. This motion is a continuation of my commitment to ensuring that environmental policies are not only ecologically sound but also socially just, recognizing that empowering marginalized communities—especially women, Indigenous Peoples, and LGBTQIA+ individuals—leads to more resilient and impactful conservation efforts.

Samuel Carvalho (LLM 2025)

I began researching mangroves during my LL.B., and since then, I have become deeply passionate about the topic. Mangroves play a crucial role in carbon capture and storage, mitigating climate change, and providing essential ecosystem services. Yet, their degradation, and the significant ecological, climatic, and social challenges it brings, remains largely overlooked. Given the urgent need to strengthen focus on this critical issue and prioritize mangrove protection and restoration, I believe this motion can further support mangrove conservation efforts.

Séverine Ginot (Exchange 2023)

When reflecting on ideas for the motion, I was instantly drawn back to a striking documentary I had watched years ago. The images of water bodies in Asia, dyed an unnatural electric blue from textile industry waste, had left an indelible mark in my memory. While considering various environmental challenges, I chose to look beyond plastic pollution, which already commands significant attention. Instead, I wanted to address the devastating impact of chemical pollution from textile manufacturing on both aquatic ecosystems and local communities. This focus felt particularly timely and relevant to my generation, that has grown up with constant pressure to update our wardrobes. It especially resonates with younger consumers who are drawn to ultra-low-cost online fashion retailers. Moreover, with Europe's growing scrutiny of textile production and increasing push toward circular economy, this motion arrives at a crucial moment when real change seems possible. I believe we have a unique opportunity to challenge our generation's consumption habits while addressing a critical environmental threat in Southern and South-eastern Asia.