Our Team
Climate Connections UG is a student-led, interdisciplinary initiative at University of Galway. We started with a core team and continue to grow, driven by a passion for storytelling, collaboration, and climate action. We work closely with student societies, UG staff, and community leaders, all of whom inspire and support us along the way.
Paola
PhD researcher exploring climate action in universities, with a passion for how campuses can become places of change, care, and imagination. Through her Flirt FM podcast on STEAM and other inspiring stories from campus and beyond, she brings ideas, people, and possibilities into conversation.
Fun fact: Turns big ideas into great conversations.
Alaz
PhD researcher exploring artists and AI, curious about the changing relationship between creativity, technology, and image-making. When not studying fast-moving digital tools, he slows everything down through camera obscura, analogue processes, and photography made the old-fashioned way.
Fun fact: In a world of instant images, he still likes to let light take its time.
Buddila W
PhD researcher in Engineering, campus changemaker, and photographer with an eye for the moments others might miss. From student representation to campus life, he is always where people, ideas, and good stories come together.
Fun fact: Can capture a moment so well that even the weather looks like it planned the shot.
George O'Brien
A quiet observer with a deep love for the science behind numbers and the natural world. Prefers data to do the talking but knows that nature tells the best stories.
Fun fact: Can spend hours analyzing patterns in climate data—because sometimes, the most interesting stories are hidden in the details.
Daniel McGuire
Environmental scientist and social scientist, committed to sustainability.
Fun Fact: Ran student newsrooms, film teams, and radio programs, but still can't decide on a favorite medium.
Andreea Alexandrov
Magic Maker Coordinator. Passionate about words, all things creative, and a firm believer in the 10% rule 🪄
Fun fact: Self-diagnosed with bibliosmia—an incurable love for the smell of new books (yes, there is a word for this 🙂).
Christabel Blessya Putik
A passionate communicator, social entrepreneur, and research enthusiast.
Fun fact: Always on the lookout for the perfect analogy to explain complex ideas.
Nabiha Asraf
Facilitator, recruiter, and story collector, recently captivated by Japanese tales.
Fun fact: Manages to be a student and almost present on two Irish campuses—just not quite at the same time.
Pablo Lorenzo Esteve
Big time networker, communication strategist and fearless problem-solver. Always ready to dive in and say, “We got this.”
Fun fact: A trained lifeguard who has saved us more than once from drowning in a sea of tasks.
Key Collaborators
Collaboration is at the heart of Climate Connections UG. Our work is made possible through strong partnerships with student societies, university staff, and community leaders who continuously inspire and support us.
Climate Crew
A huge thanks to Peter O’Neill, whose support helped form the core project team.
Mulranny Community Futures
Our trusted partners and generous hosts, the true magic makers of Mulranny.
Photo Student Society (PhotoSoc)
With special thanks to Ruth and Devika, who keep the world of student photographers spinning and laid the building blocks for this project.