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Ananya Aggarwal and Alice Daeschler each received the Virlis L. Fischer Award for Academic Achievement during a May 8 ceremony recognizing professional student graduates from the Nicholas School of the Environment at ���Ĵ�ý. 

The award honors students graduating with a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) or a Master of Forestry (MF) who have demonstrated academic excellence and impact, leadership, strength of character and a collaborative spirit. Grant Murray, associate dean for professional programs, presented the awards during the recognition ceremony.

ANANYA AGGARWAL

MEM, with concentrations in Energy and Environment and in Community ���Ĵ�ýment and Environmental Justice

“Described by her nominators as a ‘joy to collaborate with’ and a ‘thoughtful and vocally engaged leader,’ Ananya has distinguished herself across multiple dimensions of the MEM experience,” Murray said.

For example, as a student in the Utilities Practicum, a course focusing on the role of utilities in addressing climate and sustainability challenges, Aggarwal “stood out for her maturity, clear communication and ability to engage thoughtfully with stakeholders — representing both her team and the Nicholas School with distinction,” Murray noted.

For her Master’s Project, completed with fellow graduating MEM student Arthur Smith, Aggarwal analyzed 20 studies on the topic of ecovoltaics, an emerging approach to solar energy development that integrates renewable energy generation with ecosystem services.

The team’s resulting paper, “,” reports that native vegetation can be successfully established beneath solar arrays to support biodiversity, so long as appropriate construction methods and panel configurations are followed. However, the team concluded that more research on long-term performance across diverse geographies is needed before ecovoltaic technology can be widely implemented.

“Aggarwal’s academic contributions extended well beyond the classroom,” Murray added, noting that she played a “central leadership role in revitalizing the Global Energy Access Network’s annual case study compendium — an initiative that had lapsed during the pandemic.” As a case studies editor for the — led by Duke students to foster research and policy dialogue about access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy — Aggarwal shepherded seven case studies to .

Elected by peers as the graduating class’s student speaker, Aggarwal also served as a teaching assistant at the Nicholas School, a research assistant at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, and a graduate student researcher with The Nature Conservancy.

ALICE DAESCHLER

MEM, with concentrations in Coastal and Marine Systems and Community ���Ĵ�ýment AND in Environmental Justice, WITH a GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS CERTIFICATE

“Alice was described by her nominator as analytically rigorous, intellectually grounded and consistently producing work of exceptional quality,” Murray related during the ceremony. “Her written work and presentations are noted for their clarity, depth and theoretical strength, reflecting a deep mastery of the concepts.”

Daeschler led by example, explained Murray, who was Daeschler’s advisor. “She is an inclusive, active and insightful contributor, consistently elevating discussions with thoughtful perspectives. Her professionalism, humility and strong ethical foundation were highlighted [by her nominator], as well as her genuine commitment to community-engaged scholarship.” 

Daeschler’s Master’s Project, “,” examined how various economic forces are shaping opportunities and successes in the North Carolina shellfish aquaculture industry. Through stakeholder interviews, she found that localized markets and limitations in insurance programs create uneven economic opportunities for N.C. shellfish growers. The findings highlight challenges to achieving a resilient, equitable, and economically sustainable shellfish aquaculture industry in the state.

Beyond the classroom, Daeschler also served as co-president of the Duke Society for Ecological Restoration and treasurer of Duke RESTORE, a Nicholas School initiative focused on advancing the field of ecosystem restoration to enhance resilience of natural and human systems.

Additionally, Daeschler worked in the . Led by assistant professor David Gill, the lab partners with key players in the conservation field to improve sustainable and equitable management of marine resources.

“Through these roles, [Daeschler] distinguished herself as a proactive and engaged leader taking initiative in organizing academic and professional development opportunities for her peers, creating spaces for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and mutual support through her service,”  Murray said.