Are you interested in an internship or fellowship?
SDSG accepts new interns and fellows on a rolling basis, including internships for academic credit. SDSG interns and fellows may work remotely or from our Denver, Colorado office. All interns and fellows commit to work for at least 10 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks. Tasks include, but are not limited to, research and memo writing, drafting content for SDSG publications and reports, and working with SDSG teams on current projects.
Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the semester in which they wish to receive academic credit. If you are interested, please send an inquiry through the contact page.
Interns & Fellows
2026
Hunter Sims
Hunter Sims is a master’s student at the Colorado School of Mines pursuing a degree in Environment, Resources, and Energy Policy. He holds a B.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology from Colorado State University (2024), along with minors in Interdisciplinary Global Environmental Sustainability and Interdisciplinary Global Studies. His academic interests focus on human–environment relationships, environmental governance, land-use policy in the American West, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, and GIS and spatial analysis. Hunter has professional experience as an archaeologist and cultural resource specialist supporting Sections 106 and 110 compliance for federal agencies. Outside of his academic and professional work, he enjoys spending time outdoors through hiking and camping, staying active through running and volleyball, and exploring local coffee shops and breweries.
Yudha Jatmiko
Yudha Jatmiko is a dual-degree graduate student at Colorado School of Mines pursuing Master's degrees in Mineral and Energy Economics and Natural Resources and Energy Policy. He brings five years of experience from Indonesia's mining sector, where he worked as a Project Finance Analyst and Mine Planning Engineer at PT. Pamapersada Nusantara, Indonesia's largest mining contractor, and as Director of CV. Azimuth Permata Nusantara, achieving a 94% success rate on Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources permitting for 87 projects. At SDSG, Yudha supports research on rare earths policy, the Critical Minerals Newsletter, legislative atlas updates, and the tracking of government and corporate investments in critical minerals supply chains. As a native Bahasa Indonesia speaker, he is passionate about advancing responsible mining practices that benefit local communities and Indigenous peoples.
Faizatu Adamu
I am a recent graduate from the Colorado School of Mines with a strong interest in sustainable mining governance and environmental stewardship. My work and research focus on advancing responsible solutions within the critical minerals supply chain and promoting transparency in resource management. I am particularly interested in sustainable mining policy, environmental justice, ESG frameworks, climate risk, stakeholder engagement, natural resource management, and environmental law. Through roles as a sustainability intern, field manager, research assistant, and volunteer, I have developed practical experience in environmental impact assessment, sustainability reporting, and project management. My career goal is to contribute to high-impact solutions that align critical mineral development with global sustainability goals, particularly in consulting, analysis, and responsible mineral sourcing. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking Ghanaian cuisines, baking, traveling, and spending quality time with my family.
Sydney Christian
Sydney Christian is a third-year law student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Sydney graduated from Binghamton University with a major in psychology and a minor in forensic health. She is an Associate Editor for the Denver Law Review and a Managing Editor for the Transportation Law Journal. She also serves as Treasurer of the Student Bar Association at DU. In her free time, Sydney enjoys travelling, being outdoors, and making sushi. At SDSG, she hopes to support initiatives that advance sustainability and help communities meet sustainable development goals.
2025
Bennett Jarvis
Bennett is a recent alumnus of Columbia University where he worked on land tenure and water use rights in the context of ecosystem restoration in southern Iraq. While at Columbia he researched land disputes and land policy at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment's work on land-based investment governance in Africa and Asia. He has a background in both qualitative research as well as statistical analysis, and his research interests focus on the intersection of climate finance and natural resource/land governance. With SDSG, Bennett is researching the voluntary carbon market, in a set of sub-Saharan African countries.
Joseph T. Lawson
Joseph earned his Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf College of Engineering. He believes that meaningful change to global challenges begins when young leaders step forward and drive innovation. Joseph currently works full-time as a Resource Officer in the Office of District 9, Nimba County, at the House of Representatives. In this role, he supports legislative research and policy analysis, particularly those affecting mining operations in his district. He also collaborates with legislative staff and government offices to ensure public engagement, data accuracy, and informed decision-making. Joseph is passionate about shaping policies that improve access to mining and sustainability, while also advocating for expanded education and economic opportunities in his home district. In 2025, Joseph was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a U.S. Department of State program that empowers young African leaders. Joseph is also a sports enthusiast and a passionate music lover.
Ari Gardner
Ari Gardner is a rising fourth year at Western Colorado University with a double major in Computer Science and Biology with an emphasis in software engineering and general biology. Ari is also a member of the cross country and track teams at Western Colorado University. At SDSG Ari is working on reorganizing and polishing the website. This work entails styling and making the website more navigable.
Maria Guillamont
Maria Guillamont is a J.D. Candidate at Lewis & Clark Law School with a focus on international and environmental law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in Bioethics. Passionate about equitable and environmentally sustainable practices, she founded the Coalition of Law Students Against Deep Sea Mining, where she leads a team of volunteers through legal research, campaigning and policy advice. She is a fellow of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, through which she has had the opportunity to attend United Nation Ocean Conferences representing the youth. At SDSG, Maria hopes to learn how to encourage the equitable acquisition of critical minerals for the coming energy transition.
Olivia Nau
Olivia Nau is a rising third-year student at Western Colorado University, pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Sustainability with an emphasis in Public Land Management and a minor in Energy Management. She is passionate about navigating complex stakeholder dynamics in the natural resource sector to promote responsible and equitable development. Olivia plans to attend law school after graduation to support efforts driving meaningful change in the energy industry.
She is an active member of Western Solar Society, Western Energy Leaders, and the Student Sustainability Staff. She also serves as the Student Coordinator and Editor for the Resilience Studies Consortium Newsletter.
Alex Inskeep
Alexander Inskeep is a J.D. Candidate at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law focusing on natural resources and environmental law. Alexander earned his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Alexander is also a managing editor for the University of Denver Water Law Review. Before joining SDSG, Alexander wrapped up a year-long clinical experience as a student attorney with the University of Denver’s Environmental Law Clinic. At SDSG, Alexander is eager to learn how to implement project development in new fields of legal advocacy surrounding energy and natural resources law. Alexander enjoys hiking and backpacking in the Rockies in his spare time or learning a new dish to cook for friends and family.
2024
Catherine Fink
Catherine Fink is a 3L student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, working toward a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She is an Editor for the University of Denver Environment@5280 blog and participated in the Advancing Social Justice Clinic in Spring 2023. Catherine has a B.A. in English and an MFA in creative writing and is transitioning to a legal career after 20 years of teaching English and Human Development in grades 7-college. Catherine heard her students', and her own children's, demands for climate action and decided that it was now or never for the planet, so she is in law school to learn how to make change on a policy level. She is also committed to climate justice and researches the role of indigenous peoples in the renewable energy transition with the goal of ensuring equitable participation in the green energy transition. Finally, Catherine has served for five years on the Longmont Library Board and is currently Vice President, and she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.
2023
Mary Lobato
Mary graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 2019. She majored in Civil Engineering and earned a minor in Humanitarian Engineering. While attending School of Mines, she focused her education on understanding sustainable engineering solutions for communities who are often underserved. After graduation, Mary earned her certification as an Engineer in Training and worked for an engineering firm in the Subsurface Utility Engineering and Coordination department. Mary worked as a Civil Engineer for a little over three years before attending University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Mary hopes to build upon her background in sustainable engineering while working for SDSG and as she pursues her legal education.
Julie Donahue
Julie is currently obtaining her Masters in Ecology and Conservation from Western Colorado University. Her interest in Environmental Law and Policy led her to seek experience at SDSG where she is supporting research into the social and environmental impacts of mineral extraction associated with the green energy transition. Julie aspires to build a career at the intersection of science, environmental policy, and public outreach to achieve conservation solutions. She currently works for the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Mobile Facility and as the Field Coordinator for Crested Butte’s Coal Creek Watershed Coalition. In her free time she enjoys adventuring with her husband and three dogs!
Brian Wagenaar
Brian is a recent graduate of Western’s Master's of Environmental Management, where he had an emphasis in global sustainability. He came to Western after completing a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and subsequently spending three years in various environmentally focused AmeriCorps programs across the country, completing environmental restoration and land stewardship projects. He has prior experience with regional nonprofits in Wisconsin and Colorado advocating for the expansion of public lands and renewable energy — and against concentrated animal feeding operations and oil and gas drilling. At Western, Brian became heavily involved on campus, serving as a campus recycling assistant, a sustainability mentor, and as the editor of Western’s student newspaper, Top o’ the World. At SDSG, Brian contributes to research on critical minerals needed for a green economy.
