Calif Chen (she/her) joined CEA in 2026 as a Research Associate. She is passionate about climate adaptation and the intersection of environmental justice and policy. Before joining CEA, Calif worked with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Federal Affairs and Coastal Resilience team, where she advanced legislation on climate and flood resilience in Congress. She also interned with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, supporting resilience planning across the National Estuarine Reserves System. Earlier, she helped launch a municipal composting program in Beacon, NY, as a compost intern with Land to Learn.
Calif earned a Master of Economics in China Studies from Peking University in 2025, where her thesis examined China’s national climate adaptation policy. She also holds an A.B. (magna cum laude) in public policy from Princeton University, with certificates in Environmental Studies and Values and Public Life. Her senior thesis, which analyzed barriers to coastal resilience funding faced by disadvantaged communities, received the Environmental Studies Senior Thesis Prize.