Congratulations Environment GRADflix finalists

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We are thrilled to share that Faculty of Environment graduate students, Adwoa Appiah, Bhargav Singh Thakur, Jake E. Ferguson, and Kate Manninger were selected as finalists in the 2025 GRADflix competition!   

GRADflix is an annual competition organized by the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) at the University of Waterloo.  This competition offers a unique opportunity to explore the research and projects of graduate students to create a 60-second video showcasing their innovative research, combining creativity and academic skills.  

The 2025 competition saw a record number of entries, making it an even greater honor for these students to be selected as the top 20 finalists.   

Adwoa Appiah, a PhD candidate in Sustainability Management at the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development (SEED), brings her knowledge and experience to the field of sustainability. Holding an MBA in Finance, an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford, and a BSc in Land Economy from KNUST, Adwoa has carved out a niche in sustainable banking, finance, and governance. Her research seeks to bridge the gap between financial performance and sustainability. 

Adwoa’s GRADflix submission, Does Doing Good and Doing Well go Hand in Hand?, explores the complex relationship between corporate sustainability and financial success. 

Bhargav Singh Thakur, is in the final year of completing his Master of Environmental Studies program, specializing in Sustainability Management. Prior to this, he earned a law degree and launched a successful startup in India, later working as a Senior Application Specialist at S&P Global. His diverse background has given him a unique perspective on sustainability and business. 

In his GRADflix submission, Building Circular Resilience for Small Island Developing Nations, Bhargav tackles the challenge of promoting circular economy principles in regions vulnerable to climate change. His work focuses on developing sustainable models that can help small island nations build resilience to environmental shocks and create long-term economic stability. 

 Jake E. Ferguson is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Environmental Management, with an MSc in Computational Multiphysics. His research examines satellite-based methods for monitoring freshwater ice resources in remote and cold regions, which is crucial in the context of climate change and its impact on freshwater ecosystems. 

Jake's work also includes the development of free, open-source simulations that help users understand the physics behind climate monitoring satellites. These simulations are available on his personal website, offering valuable resources for students and researchers alike.  

His GRADflix submission, Polarimetric and Interferometric RADAR Investigations of Lake Ice, or: Irradiating Earth, Just a Little Bit, as a Treat, explores the innovative use of radar technologies to study ice and its changing dynamics.  

Kate Manninger is currently in the second year of her graduate studies in Geography and Environmental Management, with a background in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on the intersection of sustainable development, tourism, and energy resource management, particularly in mountain regions. 

Kate's current project takes a closer look at Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, focusing on the environmental impacts of tourism and how sustainable practices can be integrated into the region’s development. Her research aims to promote a balance between preserving the natural beauty of the park and supporting local communities that rely on tourism for their livelihoods.  

Enjoy Kate’s insightful GRADflix submission, Tourism and Change in Sagarmatha National Park, which premiered at the GRADflix showcase. 

Congratulations to all the brilliant graduate students whose efforts and dedication were acknowledged at this year's GRADflix event on Tuesday, February 4. Each of these researchers contributes unique insights to global concerns. From sustainable finance to climate monitoring and tourism management, their work is influencing the future of environmental management and sustainable development. 

As these students continue to push the boundaries of their respective fields, we celebrate their accomplishments. Well done, and here's to even greater achievements ahead! 

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