The year 2017 started off on a good note. The Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions Team (ECAST) was awarded a Laney Graduate School New Thinkers/New Leaders Award. Daniel Rochberg and I were lead authors on the application that comprises LGS faculty and students from at least two or more divisions or schools to work on an interdisciplinary activity, i.e. ECAST. The $3,000 award will support graduate student participation and mentoring in ECAST.