R&DE Sustainability Interns
Our Sustainability Internship Program offers students the opportunity to work on impactful projects that drive environmental change across campus.
As an intern, you’ll collaborate with Stanford staff while developing valuable professional skills. Interns will engage in impactful projects that promote resource conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable operations within R&DE. From advancing water and energy-saving initiatives to optimizing facility usage and supporting eco-friendly programs, playing a key role in driving sustainability efforts across R&DE.
Meet some of our past and present Interns and apply to be one!
Alister Sharp
Energy Efficiency Intern
Major in Civil Engineering
Undergraduate junior, class of 2026
Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises
Alister Sharp is a junior studying Civil Engineering on the Energy/Climate track. In addition to serving as an Energy Efficiency Intern, she also works as an assistant production manager for the Theater & Performance Studies department. She is an analyst for Stanford Sustainable Investing Group and the Chair of Diversity Development for Stanford Society of Women Engineers. In her free time, she loves engaging in anything creative and artistic, or playing tennis with friends. Alister is excited to contribute to Stanford’s sustainability efforts, working to reduce energy consumption on campus.
David Zhou
Data Analyst Intern
Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises
My name is David Zhou, and I’m a senior studying Economics with a minor in Computer Science. I am currently a Data Analyst Intern for the Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises, and have had past experience in climate finance research for a Nepalese policy firm. In my free time I enjoy hiking, weightlifting, film, reading, and singing. I have also been cutting hair for people on campus for the past 3 years. I’m super stoked to have the opportunity to work alongside peers and mentors in the Sustainable Stanford intern program, learning tangible skills that bring about real change to campus and outside communities.
Raiyan Haque
Energy Efficiency and Data Analyst Intern
Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises
Hello! My name is Raiyan Haque and I am a sophomore from Bangladesh studying Management Science and Engineering. Growing up in Bangladesh, I have seen the devastating effects of climate change and have been interested in sustainability since high school. I am currently an Energy Efficiency and Data Analyst Intern for the Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises, and have past experience working as a software engineering intern for Stanford’s Department of Medicine last summer. In my free time, I like watching soccer, playing chess, building Lego sets and reading Nassim Taleb. I am super excited to work with my Sustainable Stanford peers and the Office of Sustainability to make Stanford a more sustainable campus!
Ash Galeana
Sustainability Social Change Intern
Undergraduate sophomore, class of 2027
Sustainability Office of Residential and Dining Enterprises
Ash Galeana is a sophomore interested in sustainability, deciding between majoring in Environmental Systems Engineering or Earth Systems. During the pandemic, he became fascinated with sustainable living and understanding how to design systems that allow individuals to be more aware of their environmental impact. He is currently a Sustainability Intern with Residential and Dining Enterprises focusing on Cardinal Clean, a chemical-free cleaning initiative implemented by Stanford. In his free time, he enjoys painting, spontaneous walks, and reading.
Izabella Smolnicka-Dos Santos
Zero Waste Communications Intern
Environmental Systems Engineering Major, Earth Systems Minor
Undergraduate, Class of 2026
Sustainability Office of Residential & Dining Enterprises
Izabella Smolnicka-Dos Santos is a junior studying Environmental Systems Engineering with a focus on Urban Systems with a minor in Earth Systems. As a Zero Waste Communications Intern, Izabella works on the ground promoting annual and year-round reuse and sustainability strategies within student life. Besides her work with R&DE, Izabella is a fellow for Stanford Sustainable Investing Group working on Climate Resilience & Adaptation, a co-lead of the Stanford Girls Running Club, and a volunteer staff member at Roble Reuse, a student-run donation center and "free” store on campus. In her spare time, Izabella loves volunteering at the Stanford Farm, getting off campus for a hike with her friends, line dancing, and making frozen yogurt!
Laney Conger
Laney Conger is a master’s student graduating in 2025 with a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems with minors in Spanish and Creative Writing. Laney has worked on the R&DE sustainability team since 2021.
During her tenure, Laney concentrated on waste reduction in residences and dining halls. In 2021, Laney installed a three-stream waste bin system in graduate residences, resulting in significant increase in landfill diversion. She continued these waste sorting studies the following year, implementing a new multi-color bag system to further distinguish landfill and recycling streams.These projects solidified the three color bin system across campus, streamlining sorting for students and custodians alike. Last year Laney studied event waste generation, collecting on-the-ground data that quantified food waste, bin usage, and sorting habits. This data is now used to guide waste reduction strategies and sustainable event planning. Now, as the team’s Water Conservation Intern, Laney is working to update all residential bathroom infrastructure to new low-flow standards, drastically reducing water consumption in student dorms.
Beyond R&DE, she serves as a teaching assistant and enjoys hiking, climbing, and backpacking. Laney looks forward to exploring a career in conservation, leveraging her communication skills and experience in waste management to make positive change