Meet GCC's Summer 2025 Research Assistants

GCC is pleased to welcome our Summer 2025 Research Assistants: Khristina Holterman (2L), Theo Kaufman (2L), Kristina McKean (2L), Madhura Shembekar (SFS ‘26), and Carly Tolin (3L). This summer, they are working with our adaptation, communications, and mitigation teams to support policy development, contribute to strategic outreach efforts, and enhance our research databases. 

"Each semester, we are pleased to welcome Georgetown students to our team as Research Assistants," said Executive Director Kate Zyla. "They gain practical experience in climate and energy law and policy while contributing directly to GCC’s efforts in support of federal, state, local, and Tribal governments. We are grateful for the energy and unique perspectives this summer’s RA’s are already bringing to their work."

Kristina Holterman (2L) | Communications Team

Khristina Holterman (L’27) is a Summer 2025 Communications RA at the Georgetown Climate Center and an incoming 2L at Georgetown University Law Center. Khristina graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies and a minor in Public Policy. At Berkeley, she served as an editor and staff writer for The Daily Californian and worked as a laboratory assistant at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She also previously interned at Environment California as a communications assistant. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Khristina enjoys exploring Northern California’s forests and surfing along the coast, and she’s excited to keep exploring D.C. She looks forward to continuing to use her writing and policy experience to support GCC’s work on advancing equitable climate policies and helping communities adapt to a changing environment.

Theo Kaufman (2L) | Mitigation Team

Theo Kaufman (L'27) is a Mitigation Research Assistant at GCC. He is currently pursuing a J.D. at the Georgetown University Law Center. Originally from New York City, Theo graduated from the University of Rochester in 2021 with a B.A. in International Relations in French. He took part in the Take Five Program at the University of Rochester, where he spent a fifth year studying a self-directed curriculum focused on Climate Change and Environmental Science. He is excited for the opportunity to explore the use of legal tools to further the global transition away from a fossil fuel economy. Before law school, Theo served nearly three years as an Investigator for the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, where he investigated allegations of police misconduct against members of the NYPD. In his free time, Theo practices Muay Thai, and is an avid reader.

Kristina McKean (2L) | Adaptation Team

Kristina McKean is an Adaptation Research Assistant at GCC. She is a rising 2L at Georgetown University Law Center and previously received a BA in Environmental Science and Policy at Duke University. Prior to law school, Kristina was an Impact and Sustainability Manager at a public benefit corporation where she developed a sustainability program and successfully led the company through the B Corp certification process. She also spent time in the Office of Remediation Programs at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Kristina is pursuing a legal education with the aim of using the knowledge she gains in service of communities and the environment, and she is excited to begin that journey at GCC.

Madhura Shembekar (SFS '26) | Adaptation Team

Madhura Shembekar (SFS '26) is an Adaptation Research Assistant at GCC. Madhura is a rising senior in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy & Environment and a minor in Spanish. Originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, Madhura is passionate about the intersection between climate change, policy, and justice. At Georgetown, she has previously worked with the Earth Commons Institute on various projects as well as for their magazine, Common Home. Madhura is a Sustainable Business Fellow with the McDonough School of Business and she currently volunteers with the Center for Social Justice on their Climate and Environmental Justice Initiative. In her free time, she loves reading, exploring DC, and going to the movies.

Carly Tolin (3L) | Mitigation Team

Carly Tolin (L'26) is a Summer 2025 Mitigation Research Assistant at the Georgetown Climate Center. She recently completed her second year at Georgetown University Law Center. Before joining GCC, Carly externed with the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, working on enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act. She also served as a summer fellow at Accountability Counsel, working on community-led dispute resolution related to human rights, community health, and environmental degradation. Carly earned her B.A. from the University of Miami, majoring in both Economics and Ecosystem Science & Policy. Originally from New Jersey, she enjoys trying new restaurants around DC, taking group fitness classes, and visiting art museums.