Unleashing Young Minds: How Greek Students Use Satellite Data to Tackle Climate Change in Global Ocean Science Program

Summer break for Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) students meant diving deep into marine research, exploring beautiful Greek islands, and using advanced space technologies to track climate change. Five students—Adeena Hossain, Gwyneth Estomo, Tuan Nguyen, Raikhan Primbetova, and Saroosh Zahid—were selected for a two-week course titled “Sensing Marine Ecosystem Health & Climate Impacts from Space.” This program was organized by Georgetown’s Earth Commons Institute and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

“It was a hands-on experience that blended classroom learning with real oceanographic fieldwork,” Adeena shared. The course included 15 students from varied backgrounds, focusing on climate change and marine science. They learned to analyze satellite data to see how human activities affect marine ecosystems.

Fieldwork took place in Athens and on Andros Island, where students explored sustainable farms, met local communities, and collected phytoplankton samples from coastal waters. Dr. Dionysios Raitsos, an expert in Biological Oceanography, and Dr. Jesse Meiller from Georgetown guided the students. “We hiked through breathtaking landscapes, gaining insight into Greece’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. It was fascinating to learn how Andros’s unique environmental history shapes its current sustainability issues,” said Adeena.

The program emphasized community involvement and practical research. For their capstone project, students assessed the Andros marine ecosystem and presented their findings to local stakeholders. Adeena and her classmate Nitya Gupta studied how declining seasonal upwelling affects marine life along the Oman Coast. Raikhan and her partner, Nikolas Georgiou from NKUA, focused on phytoplankton productivity in the Gulf of Mexico. “Our research showed how freshwater inflows impact marine productivity and climate change in ocean systems,” Raikhan explained.

Tuan teamed up with Zoe Gutherman, an Environmental Studies major, and Michail Karamolegos from NKUA to analyze satellite data from the Western Equatorial Atlantic. “I brought insights from environmental humanities, while Zoe specialized in remote sensing, and Michail focused on environmental chemistry. Our collaboration created a rich analysis,” he noted.

“This course reminded me that protecting the environment is not just a scientific issue but a humanitarian one,” Adeena reflected. “Climate change affects the livelihoods of people worldwide, influencing both communities and ecosystems.”

The students also built international connections and gained practical tools for combating ecosystem degradation. Raikhan remarked, “It expanded my understanding of global environmental systems and equipped me for future climate and marine research.”

“Most importantly, the course taught me that solutions to the climate crisis rely on people, not just technology,” Tuan added.

This initiative underscores Georgetown University in Qatar’s commitment to experiential learning. With GU-Q celebrating 20 years of academic excellence, programs like this highlight the importance of hands-on education in addressing global challenges. With rising concern over climate change—recent studies show that over 70% of people globally are worried about its impact—these students are being equipped to be part of the solution.

By bridging education with actionable research, GU-Q not only prepares its students for future challenges but also fosters a sense of responsibility towards the planet and its inhabitants.

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