ISGP Staff
George H. Atkinson, Ph.D
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Atkinson is an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Optical Science at the University of Arizona. His professional career includes academic teaching, research, administration, roles as a corporate founder and executive, and public service at the federal level. He is former Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Arizona, the founder of a laser sensor company serving the semiconductor industry, and Science and Technology Advisor (STAS) to U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice. In 2014, Dr. Atkinson was named president of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. Based on principles derived from his personal experiences, he launched the ISGP in 2008 as a new type of international forum in which credible experts provide governmental and societal leaders with the objective understanding of the science and technology that can be reasonably anticipated to help shape the increasingly global societies of the 21st century.
Jennifer Boice, M.B.A
Program Coordninator
Ms. Boice worked for 25 years in the newspaper industry, primarily at the Tucson Citizen and briefly at USA Today. She was the Editor of the Tucson Citizen when it was closed in 2009. Additional appointments at the Tucson Citizen included Business News Editor, Editor of the Online Department, and Senior Editor. She also was a business columnist. Ms. Boice received her M.B.A. from the University of Arizona and graduated from Pomona College in California with a degree in economics.
Camelia Bou, M.S.
Senior Fellow, Program Manager
Camelia Bou graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and Economics, and continued her studies in the Environmental Science and Policy Master’s Program. During her time at Northeastern University, she participated in Genocide and its Aftermath Dialogue of Civilizations Program, a faculty-led study focused on the effects of genocide in Greek society. As part of one of her graduate courses, she was able to attend COP 26 Glasgow virtually as an observer, where she had the opportunity to explore her interest in international climate policy. Camelia worked at the Rian Immigrant Center in the Learning Exchange Program as a program assistant, helping students and recent graduates from Ireland on the J-1 visa on their job search in the United States. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and is at a beginner level French. Camelia hopes to continue to work in the environmental justice and policy field.
Sophie Bartholomaus, B.A.
Senior Fellow
Sophie Bartholomaus is a graduate of Roanoke College where she earned a B.A. in Public Health. Sophie has a strong desire to teach others and help communities which is rooted in her work with the Local Environmental Agriculture Program (LEAP), a nonprofit located in southwestern Virginia. Through her work with LEAP, she was able to inform the local public on the importance of local, sustainable farming along with bringing green spaces and community gardens to areas with food insecurity. Through working with various nonprofits, she has gained experience in program development, grant proposal writing, budgeting, and community outreach. As a student, she was able to not only gain these skills, but also expand on them to see what primary level implementations may be needed to promote positive impacts.
Kelly Hathaway-Almstrom
Senior Fellow
Kelly Hathaway-Almstrom is a graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University where she earned a Master of Science in Conservation Medicine. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology and currently attends Stetson University College of Law. She recently held a position as the Department Manager Intern for the Safe Sustainable Products team within the Legislation and Advocacy Initiatives Department at Seaside Sustainability Inc. In addition to her passion for public policy, Mrs. Hathaway-Almstrom has also completed various internships and volunteer opportunities with marine rescue and rehabilitation facilities throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. She holds special interests in climate change mitigation, environmental justice issues, agricultural biosecurity, and endangered species protection.
Ian Shotts
Senior Fellow
Ian Shotts is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he earned a B.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy. One of Mr. Shotts’ most valuable professional experiences carried out during his time in academia was a research project in the Central Valley of Costa Rica where he measured the ecological and social impacts of climate change on local farmers. His dedication to investigation continued as he researched state and federal law in the private sector in addition to undertaking supplemental psychological research in academia. Along with research, he took particular interest in Model United Nations where he helped lead a team of fierce debaters around the country representing his university. His continued studies at the graduate level at La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and former undergraduate institution cemented his passion for the social sciences, ultimately leading him to the ISGP. Mr. Shotts' interests primarily lie in the environment and climate change, European affairs, and political philosophy.
Manuel de la Puerta, B.A.
Adjunct Senior Fellow
Mr. de la Puerta graduated from Eckerd College in 2019 and received a B.A. in French Language as well as a second major in Biochemistry. During his time at Eckerd, he worked as a research assistant on two projects in the chemistry department; the synthesis of potential dopamine transporter inhibitors and the synthesis of novel tridentate ligands to model the active sites of zinc metalloproteases. Upon graduating from Eckerd, he worked for two years as an English teaching assistant in Les Mureaux, France through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). Mr. de la Puerta is interested in the fields of International Relations, Climate Change, and particularly the areas where the Natural Sciences and International Affairs converge. Mr. de la Puerta is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Italian, and has reached intermediate-level fluency in Arabic. Mr. de la Puerta is currently based in Bologna, Italy where he is completing his master’s in International Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and interning at the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD).
Mattia Anfosso Lembo
Fellow
Mr. Mattia Anfosso Lembo is a former employee of the Embassy of Italy in Accra, Ghana. He graduated with honors from the University of Trieste in 2019 where he earned a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Cooperation. He also holds a Master’s course in Diplomatic Studies from the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI) based in Rome, Italy. During his time at the Embassy of Italy in Accra, Mattia had the chance to fully immerse himself in an international environment. Through daily analysis and the preparation of reports on West African politics and economy, he acquired a great knowledge on how African countries, with the help of Western and Asian countries, are working to overcome major problems that afflict their population such as terrorism, famine, drought. Mr. Anfosso Lembo ultimately hopes to work at the United Nations in order to foster positive relations with various audiences from different political and economic organizations as well as with national and international institutions. He is passionate about science, history, geopolitics, international relations and philosophy. Mr. Anfosso Lembo is fluent in Italian, English and has a good working knowledge of French.
Tory Brewster, B.A.
Fellow
Tory Brewster graduated from the University of Redlands, receiving a B.A. in Political Science, Public Policy, and Environmental Studies. Upon Graduating from the University of Redlands, she worked as an Americorp CivicSpark Fellow completing her first service year with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and her second service year with the City of Beverly Hills. As a CivicSpark Fellow, she researched urban greening and created a volunteer program to map land management issues on conservation lands. Additionally, she assisted in drafting a plastic and polystyrene ban ordinance, supported local efforts to comply with a statewide food recovery initiative (SB1383), developed a local Green Business Program, and supported the development of a local Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. After completing two service years as a CivicSpark Fellow, she became a Climate Campaign Fellow for Pacific Environment. Tory supported the "Ship It Zero" Campaign and Pacific Environment's climate program legislative initiatives. Tory holds a special interest in environmental justice, sustainability, and climate mitigation.
Shibl Gill
Fellow
Shibl Gill is an MSc Physics graduate, from the University of Stavanger in Norway, where he defended his thesis on Density Functional Theory and Neutron Spectroscopy. He also holds a BSc in Mathematics from Westminster University, Salt Lake City, where he completed the interdisciplinary Honours Program, emphasizing studies in international relations, economics, and the history and philosophy of science. Shibl has a keen interest in science policy and non-formal science education, which was the driving force behind the “Shaking Matters” podcast he is producing with academics and researchers in Norway. With experience as a Data Analyst at the State of Utah, a Securities Analyst at a multinational investment bank, and technical writing at a Technology company, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to topics being addressed at the ISGP.
Adam Greco
Fellow
Adam Greco is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida, double majoring in International Studies and Political Science. He is also one of the founding members and former Vice President of the Florida John Quincy Adams Society, the university's largest club dedicated to International Relations. Mr. Greco studied with Sciences Po Paris in the Summer of 2022, focusing on European Union policy, and studies with them currently with a more varied course load. In addition, He has academic publications with the Center for International Maritime Security and the Journal of Strategic Security. Mr. Greco holds a special passion for developmental economics, geopolitical affairs, and sustainability.
Billy Fitzgerald-Lowry, B.S., M.S.
Adjunct Fellow
Billy FitzGerald-Lowry is a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney (Australia). He graduated with biology (B.Sc.) and oceanography (M.Sc.) degrees from both Swansea and Southampton University (United Kingdom) respectively. His current research investigates how ocean acidification will affect silica deposition to diatom (marine algae) frustules, part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) grant. Alongside this, Mr. FitzGerald-Lowry works on projects in the Southern Ocean Sub-Antarctic Zone and the Great Barrier Reef. His extensive fieldwork is complemented by laboratory studies to present a comprehensive insight into diatom silicification. Always inquisitive, Billy has joined projects that aim to highlight and mitigate climate change, aiming to present novel issues and put forward solutions. His love of science has now stemmed an interest in both marine biological and terrestrial carbon sequestration which he hopes may help to abate greenhouse gas emissions and solve one of the most salient issues we are currently facing.