House Leaders
Resident Leaders at Explore Energy House 2025-2026
Amanda Campos
Amanda Campos (she/her) is a rising senior studying environmental and energy policy and justice. Born in the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she moved to the 20-million-people, skyscrapers-filled São Paulo when she was 4 years old and then to South Florida when she was 13. She is a climate justice activist, a cloud lover, and would do anything for dragons to be real. She has worked at an environmental conservancy, at the Department of Justice's environmental division, and in environmental justice policy advocacy. She dreams of going to law school to study environmental law and make Big Oil polluters pay.
Sebastian Esteva
Sebastian is a rising senior, FLI, Mexican-American, with a love for long evening walks, climbing, and listening to way too many audiobooks. He’s a Bio-mechanical engineering major and has a passion for the humanities, like law, film, and politics. Sebastian is in SENSA consulting and is the Course Coordinator for Mind over Money, Stanford's financial literacy program. Catch him anytime for a talk about intersectional energy issues, life, or just about the house ('25-'26 will be his fourth year with the Energy dorm!).
Valeria Cartagena Vaca
Valeria is a senior studying Chemical Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Energy Science and Engineering, and this will be her 4th year living in Explore Energy House! Growing up in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, shaped Valeria's interest in how energy systems affect economic development, and she hopes to work on technologies that expand access to affordable, clean energy around the world. Outside of research, Valeria enjoys reading, cooking, and discussing big ideas about the future of science and technology.
Hannah Pescaru
Hannah (she/her) is a senior from Chicago majoring in Chemistry. Hannah is interested in urban and global health equity and has participated in numerous initiatives to address disparities in clinical care. She currently manages Stanford's Home Medical Equipment Program and organizes a community health worker program that promotes health literacy for high-school students around the world. In her free time, Hannah enjoys going on long walks, baking, and experimenting with new artistic crafts.
Anders Luffman
Anders is a rising senior in Energy Science and Engineering with minors in Public Policy and Computer Science, and he is pursuing a coterminal masters degree in Management Science and Engineering. Anders' interests include energy policy, electricity regulation, and grid revitalization. He has experience in the energy consulting field, with an internship at TRC companies and Baringa. Outside of the classroom, Anders plays on the club rugby team, is an executive in the Energy Club, and enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities. Don’t hesitate to ask Anders about professional development, the Stanford social scene, or the meaning of life!
Lizbeth Zambrano-Sanchez
Lizbeth is a junior descending from land defenders in Michoacán, Mexico to farm workers and gardeners in East Los Angeles. She is a FLI junior majoring in Earth Systems and minoring in Native American studies. She is interested in tackling green colonialism—how the resources needed for renewable energy can threaten Indigenous land and people. Outside of energy, she loves reading poetry and memoirs, swimming, and Regional Mexican music. She is so excited to be a house leader and help students feel supported and comfortable on campus!
Incoming House Leaders 2026-2027
Valeria Cartagena Vaca
Valeria is a senior studying Chemical Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Energy Science and Engineering, and this will be her 4th year living in Explore Energy House! Growing up in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, shaped Valeria's interest in how energy systems affect economic development, and she hopes to work on technologies that expand access to affordable, clean energy around the world. Outside of research, Valeria enjoys reading, cooking, and discussing big ideas about the future of science and technology.
Melanie Robles
Melanie Robles is proudly a first-generation Mexican American student majoring in Public Policy and coterming in Earth Systems. Growing up in the Inland Empire, a Southern California community impacted by air pollution, she developed a strong passion for environmental justice organizing, focusing on policy development that centers the well-being and knowledge of frontline communities. Outside of work, she loves to go to Farillaga, thrift, and try new foods and coffee shops.
Annabelle Jayadinata
I am an Electrical Engineering undergraduate and coterm student at Stanford University, also pursuing a music minor, with a passion for the intersection of technology, creativity, and community. I’m originally from Indonesia and am deeply involved in engineering initiatives on campus including those associated with sustainability and energy. Outside of academics, I love being outdoors! Whether it’s hiking, skiing, or playing tennis, I’m excited to help create a fun, welcoming, and supportive house community!
Edward (Eddie) Chen
Edward (Eddie) Chen is a Taiwanese American rising junior from Irvine, California studying Energy Science & Engineering. Eddie serves as Co-Executive Director of Stanford Climate Week, former Shultz Fellow at the California Energy Commission, and researcher at the Hoover Institution focused on renewable energy integration in Taiwan’s grid. This is his 2nd year in the Explore Energy House, and Eddie is also an avid award-winning 14-year Hip Hop dancer, choreographing and performing shows on campus and across the Bay Area!
Simya Smith
I'm a rising senior from Los Angeles majoring in Earth Systems on the Sustainable Societies and Environment track. I'm passionate about the intersections of human and planetary health and investigating how sustainability can ease climate-driven burdens of illness on vulnerable communities! Outside of academics, I love to travel, read romcoms, and try new restaurants.
Carter Rosenthal
Carter is a rising senior/co-term studying Materials Science and Engineering from Maui, Hawai'i. Growing up in a rural area affected by poor grid infrastructure inspired him to pursue a career in the energy space, researching new Li-ion battery technologies at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. In his free time he works as a Student Manager for the Stanford Football team, watches the LA Dodgers, plays guitar/'ukulele, and enjoys taking photos with his Fujifilm camera.