Case Western Team Is Sole U.S. Climate Finalist

Four college students from Cleveland are about to prove that American ingenuity still has plenty to say about solving the climate crisis.

Team Pick-a-Tech from Case Western Reserve University earned the spotlight as the sole United States finalist in the Universities for Goal 13 competition. Sponsored by Siemens Energy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, this global contest brings together the brightest student minds tackling climate solutions.

PhD student Rishabh Kundu leads the diverse team that includes materials science student Sijia Cheng, finance major Keshav Shah, and computer science student Shawn Liang. Together, they survived multiple rounds of rigorous screening against an international field of competitors.

The team's breakthrough idea emerged from the ThinkEnergy fellowship at Case Western's Great Lakes Energy Institute. What started as an academic exercise transformed into a bold solution ready for the world stage.

Shah brings an unusual combination to the project with his minors in creative writing, applied data science, and environmental engineering alongside his finance degree. Cheng participates as a ThinkEnergy fellow, showing how university programs can nurture real-world innovation.

The Ripple Effect

This achievement shows what happens when universities invest in student-led climate research. The ThinkEnergy fellowship gave these students more than funding. It provided space to dream big and resources to turn those dreams into competitive solutions.

Their success sends a powerful message to other American students: climate innovation doesn't require a Silicon Valley garage or venture capital connections. Sometimes it just needs curious minds, institutional support, and determination to compete globally.

The competition aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on urgent climate action. By partnering with Siemens Energy, the program connects student innovation with real industry expertise and potential implementation pathways.

Team Pick-a-Tech now represents not just Case Western or Cleveland, but American ingenuity on climate solutions. Their progress proves that the next generation already has ideas worth hearing.