National Geographic Explorer, Researcher

Priya Talreja (she/her) is a National Geographic Explorer and environmental policy researcher from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Her work focuses on the intersection of sustainable transportation, spatial planning, and community-driven environmental solutions.

As a 2025 Fulbright–National Geographic Award recipient, Priya is based in the Azores, Portugal, where her research explores how electric vehicle infrastructure can better support island tourism economies while reducing environmental impact. Alongside this work, she collaborates with local communities to apply mapping and spatial analysis tools to better understand and address pressing environmental questions, bridging technical planning with on-the-ground decision-making.

Priya’s current research builds on earlier experience in clean transportation policy in the United States, where she worked with organisations including CALSTART, ICF, and the California Air Resources Board. Across these roles, she contributed to initiatives advancing low-carbon mobility systems and supporting the transition to more sustainable transport infrastructure.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from the University of California, Davis. During this time, and continuing into her professional work, she developed a strong interest in how data, policy, and community engagement can be combined to create practical environmental solutions.

In addition to her policy work, Priya served as a Darwin Leader on the Darwin200 voyage, a global nature documentary initiative inspired by the legacy of Charles Darwin. In this role, she directed a documentary series focused on the deep-sea conservation efforts of the Azores Deep Sea Research Group, further connecting her policy background with storytelling and marine research.

Through her work, Priya brings together environmental policy, spatial analysis, and narrative-driven communication to support more sustainable and resilient coastal and island systems.