Paul Karaffa
Biographical Info
Paul worked in the Office of Sustainability during its first operational year, in 2007/2008. As a student intern, and with guidance from Lenna Storm, Paul led a team of students to research waste reduction opportunities at Mason. His research became the cornerstone for the proposal “University Paper and Policy: Proposing Adjustments to Post-consumer Paper.” He later went on to receive his Master of Science degree in Environmental Science & Policy, and was eventually hired by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage oversight of state enforcement for the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Currently, he works for the ENERGY STAR Labeling Branch in the Office of Air & Radiation at EPA, developing energy reduction specifications for the consumer electronics industry. Paul also has two scientific journal articles forthcoming.
Paul says that the Office of Sustainability gave me the tools and the confidence to make real change. He said: “Rather than feeling like a part of a process, I was given the opportunity to work independently & creatively to solve real world problems. It was an exciting first step in my environmental career and it has proven paramount in my development as a learner and a professional.”