PORTSMOUTH — Enyu (Alaina) Zhang is still a high school student at Portsmouth Abbey, yet she’s been receiving accolades for her environmental leadership for several years.

Just recently, the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association’s (RIEEA) recognized her as its 2024 Student/Youth of the Year, and will honor her and other Environmental Education Award at a special ceremony next month.

Zhang, a Portsmouth resident, first gained recognition in her sophomore year at the Abbey through her work with bioplastics, which she was formulating into colorful materials in an effort to make sustainable fashion. 

During her junior year, she worked in collaboration with her green chemistry class and Roger Williams University to design and deploy a kelp farm to test its effectiveness as a bioremediator. (Bioremediation is a process wherein a biological system is used to remove environmental pollutants in natural or artificial settings.)

He has since become a dynamic leader in the kelp farm’s development. 

She earned a summer research position with Dr. Emanuele Di Lorenzo at Brown University and was a proactive environmental advocate in the UN Ocean Decade Youth Advisory Council. 

Her accolades include awards at the 2024 Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair and being named a national finalist for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. 

Recently, she secured a $4,800 grant from Brown University to advance the kelp farm project and is collaborating with local farmers to use climate models to help them combat climate change. 

“Alaina’s dedication and innovative spirit promise a future of impactful contributions to environmental science and sustainability,” RIEEA stated in a press release. 

RIEEA will honor Zhang and others at an Environmental Education Awards Ceremony presented by SouthCoast Wind at the Save The Bay Center, 100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The ceremony will recognize educators, youth, organizations, and schools across Rhode Island who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to help their communities learn about the environment and engage in outdoor learning and recreation. Nominations are solicited from the community and a selection committee chooses the winners.

For more information, go here.