Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy Summer Fellow Spotlight: Devki Misra, UndauntedK12

The Yale Center for Business and the Environment's Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy Fellowship matches 11 undergraduate and graduate students with non-profit, startup, and governmental organizations committed to energy equity and the deployment of clean energy. The program provides summer research and internship opportunities to students at Yale who are committed to advancing energy equity and pursuing a career in the clean energy field. 

The Forum had the pleasure of speaking with Devki Misra, a rising junior at Yale University studying Statistics and Data Science, Economics, and Energy Studies. Devki is a summer fellow at UndauntedK12,  a non-profit supporting a zero-carbon and climate-resilient future in American public schools.

What is your background? 

Growing up in New Delhi, India, I saw urban development and environmental sustainability push against each other every day, which sparked my passion for climate solutions. Since then, I have explored my interest from a few different angles: energy modeling at NITI Aayog, studying the just transition from coal to solar in India with the National Thermal Power Corporation, and analyzing sustainability data for 180 countries through the Environmental Performance Index at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy.

Outside of trying to save the planet, I am an Indian classical dancer, a sibling to the world’s most adorable golden retriever, and a huge foodie. I have also picked up photography recently to start creating a visual diary of my life.

What initially drew you to the PSICE fellowship (and your summer organization), and what excited you most about working with them this summer?

This summer, I knew I wanted to continue my work in the climate space, but in a hands-on non-profit or startup ecosystem, which allowed me to wear multiple hats and make a greater impact. The PSiCE fellowship was the perfect opportunity. Furthermore, the unique structure of the program allowed me to find a community through touchpoints like weekly cohort meetings, lunch & learns, and the upcoming hike!

Growing up, my high school did not have air conditioning or heating, so learning during Delhi’s 110°F summers felt almost impossible. UndauntedK12, a non-profit supporting a zero-carbon and climate-resilient future in American public schools, tackles the exact problem I have lived through, and I knew I wanted to further their incredible mission. The link between climate change and education is rarely part of the climate conversation, which is why Undaunted’s work felt particularly meaningful to me. I am excited to spend my summer working at this intersection.

Can you share what your main responsibilities or projects are during your fellowship? What does a typical day look like for you?

I am supporting two of Undaunted’s national initiatives: the Modern HVAC Campaign and the Extreme Weather Closure Database and Lost Learning Time Map. 

The Modern HVAC Campaign aims to encourage schools to replace outdated fossil-fuel equipment with ground-source heat pumps and receive energy tax credits through the Elective Pay funding mechanism. I am contributing to Undaunted’s ground-source heat pump database by researching and updating projects in priority states. I am also supporting storytelling efforts by creating case studies, blog posts, and FAQs to raise awareness about the opportunity. 

The Extreme Weather Closure Database and Lost Learning Time Map documents and quantifies the impact of extreme weather-related school closures on student learning. I am building out this database by tracking school closures and disruptions due to extreme weather (heat, cold, storms, etc.) in the 2025-2026 school year. I will subsequently create communications materials, such as a report card summarizing takeaways from the data ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. 

What’s something you’ve learned so far this summer that has surprised or inspired you about your work?

I did not realize the extent of the impact climate change has on schools until I started tracking it myself. In just 2 weeks, I have already logged more than 70 district-wide closures due to extreme heat in May and June alone. As a result, thousands of students have lost critical and unrecoverable learning time. This experience has reinforced how urgent the need for climate-resilient infrastructure really is. 

Looking ahead, how do you see this experience influencing your academic or career path? Has it shifted or affirmed any of your goals?

My summer at Undaunted has reaffirmed my commitment to working in the climate and sustainability space, and it has also sparked a broader curiosity about how organizations drive social impact. I am excited to bring this lens to future roles.