As a Ph.D. GEM Fellowship recipient, Sam Copeland is working on an Environmental Engineering Ph.D. at The Ohio State University in the Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering (CEGE) Department. At OSU, he studies the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. Outside of this project, other research interests include the circular economy, building information modelling, and life cycle assessments.Prior to Ohio State University, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, he conducted research with the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation for a total of 4 years throughout his high school and undergraduate studies. Between time at Pitt and OSU, he was a building substitute teacher for Pittsburgh Public Schools Phillips K-5 Elementary School. As an active member of NSBE, his plan to further the mission is to continue the advancement of STEM education to young minority students everywhere he goes.