About Evalina Sain
I am an undergraduate at Columbia University studying Sustainable Development and Political Science, with interests in energy policy, circular economy, and enviornmental diplomacy.
My background combines advocacy, policy, and scholarship, and my research builds on this by examining nationwide legislative frameworks central to the AI revolution and the rapid expansion of data centers.
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Project Outline: How States Are Balancing Data Center Growth, Ratepayer Protection, and Energy Infrastructure—A 50‑State Analysis
Supervised by: Professor Michael Gerrard, Founder and Director of Sabin Climate Center, Columbia Law School
Influencer Of
Matthew Charles Lombardi
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Columbia University Department of Biological Sciences
Karthik Reddy Mahakala
Research Assistant, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Recent Comments
Hi Rinaz,
Thank you for sharing all your photos—it's exciting to see where you're conducting your project after hearing you speak about it on Wednesday. I admire the patience and persistence you bring to your work, as well as your ability to adapt when experiments don't produce the desired results.
I had the opportunity to work in a biology lab in high school using ddPCR, and I remember all the steps required before we could even begin imaging: mRNA extraction and purification, primer and probe design, and more. Some days, we would spend hours on preparation only to end up with null results, so I definitely relate to the continuous trial and error that comes with wet-lab research.
I can't wait to see how your project evolves. I appreciate the passion and enthusiasm you demonstrate; I could definitely detect both in your presentation. Best of luck!
Evalina! It is remarkable to read your reflections and hear about your findings of the week. I am too realizing that a big part of conducting research, especially policy research, consists of constantly assessing and reassessing. It has definitely not felt like a linear process, which I often find frustrating and demoralizing. Nonetheless, I am certain that all that circling around will eventually help us find the way out of our questions. I am also fascinated by your thoughts on AI, as I have also been conflicted by tension between quality and quantity that chatbots cannot seem to reconcile. AI in research is something I will keep pondering on over the summer. Cheers!
Hi Tomás,
I'm so glad some of these perspectives resonated with you! You make a valuable point about the circular nature of research and the need for patience when navigating the paths toward answering our questions. I look forward to continuing to connect about our experiences as our research evolves.
Hi Evalina!
It's such a pleasure to read through your thoughtful reflections, especially your point about the difference between a human researcher and AI. I agree that researchers can judge and think critically in a way LLMs cannot, and I love that you are interrogating the costs of efficiency when society often prioritizes it.
Also, I'm almost always studying in the Butler Library main reading room. It'd be great if we can do some work together there!
Hi Eleanor,
Thank you for your kind comments and insights. I'm always down to study together in Butler!
Hi Eleanor!
I completely resonate with your challenges in navigating an individual research project, especially in defining and meeting goals. One approach I have taken is to create a daily schedule with tasks and time blocks. I set separate interim goals for each week and base my daily tasks on how I can fulfill them. For example, my goal for the end of next week is to complete my legislative scan, so I have set a numeric target for how many states I aim to cover each day (alongside other tasks, meetings, and organizational work). Perhaps for your project, a similar approach could be useful, identifying a specific number and specifying which sources you want to engage with on a given day.
Separately, I had the opportunity to co-lead a committee on China's Great Leap Forward at Columbia's Model United Nations Conference and Exposition this past year, and it was an incredible experience to learn so much about Chinese political theory. Although your project focuses on a later period, I look forward to hearing more about your research as it evolves! It is exciting that you have access to the primary sources at Columbia's East Asian Library.
Your project is very interesting! My laidlaw research covers the social and ecological impacts that data centres have on Indigenous communities in Canada; I'm sure that there are lots of things we could learn from each others reports!
If you'd ever like to connect about this further, let me know :)
Hi Lila,
Thank you for your comment! I've looked at your report, and I envision there being some interesting overlap. I'd be particularly curious to hear what your research reveals about policy solutions to protect these Indigenous communities and how grassroots advocacy is advancing these solutions. I imagine some of the activists and think tank leaders you intend to interview will offer valuable insight.
I'd love to continue connecting as our research develops!