Amidst growing global concerns over climate change and poverty, innovative solutions are emerging from unexpected corners. One such breakthrough comes from Alexander Shenkin, an assistant research professor at the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems. Recently named a Henry Arnhold Fellow by the Mulago Foundation, Shenkin’s work aims to reshape our understanding of forest carbon economics through his project, SelvaFlux.
About the Mulago Foundation
The Mulago Foundation is renowned for its commitment to supporting leaders who develop scalable solutions to pressing issues such as climate change, conservation, and poverty. Annually, the Foundation selects around 20 fellows from thousands of applicants for its fellowship programs. These fellows benefit from a $100,000 unrestricted grant, along with a year of strategy workshops and mentorship designed to amplify their impact. This fellowship also serves as an entry point into Mulago’s longer-term funding portfolio.
The SelvaFlux Initiative
SelvaFlux, Shenkin’s pioneering project, is based on a significant discovery published in Nature in 2024. The research, conducted alongside collaborators, revealed that trees have been removing atmospheric methane through microbes found in their bark—a climate benefit previously unquantified. SelvaFlux aims to develop measurement tools, data infrastructure, and a certification pathway for carbon markets to capitalize on this natural process. The project’s goal is to enhance the financial viability of reforestation and conservation efforts by 20 to 30 percent, particularly in tropical regions.
“I applied to Mulago because they specialize in the exact challenge we face: taking a proven scientific concept and designing it for impact at scale,” Shenkin explained. The fellowship’s resources and network of over 250 fellows in climate and conservation are vital for SelvaFlux’s transition from methodology development to commercial deployment.
Recognition and Future Plans
Being chosen as a Henry Arnhold Fellow is a significant achievement, considering that this year only 22 fellows were selected from over 4,000 applicants. “It’s an honor; Mulago selected just 22 fellows this year from more than 4,000 applicants. More than anything, it feels like validation that the science is ready for the real world,” Shenkin shared. He is eager to refine SelvaFlux’s scaling strategy and is enthusiastic about representing Northern Arizona University (NAU) in transforming rigorous forest science into actionable climate solutions. This fellowship also provides an opportunity to engage with a cohort equally passionate about impactful change.
For more details on the research underpinning SelvaFlux, visit the original research publication.
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