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Master's Projects
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Lisa Leseigneur - VolunTourism Project
Lisa Leseigneur is a master’s student in Global Sustainability at the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability. For her Academic Capstone Experience, she completed an internship with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to coastal restoration, conservation, and environmental education in South Florida. Working under the mentorship of Kelly P., Director of the Coastal Watch Program, Lisa played a key role in launching and supporting SCCF’s new Voluntourism Program, which invites visitors to contribute to post-hurricane restoration and conservation efforts.
January 6, 2026Sustainable Tourism
Isabella Macaluso - Public Perception of Nuclear Energy
For Isabella Macaluso's Academic Capstone Experience, she conducted a research project examining public perceptions of nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage in Florida. Drawing on Paul Slovic’s work on risk perception, Isabella designed a pilot survey to explore how communities understand both the benefits and risks of nuclear power, particularly concerns surrounding storage, safety, and historical mistrust. Her research emphasizes the role of psychological, cultural, and historical factors in shaping public attitudes and highlights the importance of building trust when developing long-term policy.
January 6, 2026Sustainable Policy
Victoria Durand - Internship at Hillsborough County Solid Waste
Victoria Durand is pursuing a Master’s degree in Global Sustainability with a concentration in Sustainability Policy at the University of South Florida. In the Spring of 2025, she conducted an internship benchmarking mandatory commercial recycling programs across Florida, developing a feasibility study focused on how such a program could be implemented in Hillsborough County. Her work explored how policy can create meaningful environmental change and addressed one critical question: how successful recycling mandates in other counties could inform Hillsborough County’s approach.
January 5, 2026Sustainable Policy
Julia Pastorek - EXP Internship in Sustainability & Resilience
Julia Pastorek pursued a Master's degree in Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida. As part of the program, she completed a sustainability and resiliency internship with EXP, a global consulting firm specializing in engineering and design - an internship she secured by attended PCGS annual Partnership Expo and Career Fair. This experience allowed Julia to engage in climate-focused projects, working closely with consultants and local governments to develop strategies that align with community goals and address pressing climate challenges.
March 19, 2025Sustainable Energy
Xiaoxiao Li - A Business Model for Rosebud Continuum's Market Garden
Xiaoxiao Li, also known as Peggy, interned at Rosebud Continuous Sustainability Education Center, where she developed a business model for their market garden. Using Six Sigma DMADV, she ensured financial sustainability and community engagement, promoting regenerative agriculture and fostering community resilience.
May 15, 2024Food Sustainability and Security
Jack West - Visualization Technology for Sustainable Tourism
Jack West, a student at the Patel College of Global Sustainability, combined his passion for wildlife sciences with the field of sustainable tourism. The core of my project revolved around the innovative use of visualization technology to enhance the sustainable tourism experience in West Central Florida.
December 13, 2023Sustainable Tourism
Laura Castillo - Fat Beet Farm ACE Internship
Laura Castillo's academic journey at USF Patel College of Global Sustainability led her to an internship at Fat Beet Farm in Tampa, Florida. This farm operates with a commitment to sustainable agriculture. Their mission is"to feed people food with integrity in a beautiful setting without destroying the land it's grown in."
December 13, 2023Food Sustainability and Security
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About Department Projects
Discover how the Patel College of Global Sustainability nurtures a community of bold change-makers that drive meaningful progress towards a more sustainable world. These inspiring student projects unveil the power of sustainability and highlight the revolutionary solutions created to tackle pressing environmental challenges.