A new fully funded DPhil studentship has been created at the University of Oxford thanks to support from AlbaCore Capital Group, one of Europe’s leading alternative credit specialists. The award will support the advancement of research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, climate and the environment.
The recipient of the AlbaCore Capital Studentship, Darina Andriychenko Leonenko, will begin her studies this October at Oxford’s Intelligent Earth Centre for Doctoral Training, before transferring to the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP) research group in 2026.
Matthew Courey, AlbaCore’s President and Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘Since our inception, we’ve believed that the financial services industry has a leading role to play in addressing climate-related challenges. With the AlbaCore Capital Studentship, I’m proud to see the firm expanding our efforts to directly support the evolution of climate science. I am particularly excited to see how emerging AI and machine learning technologies are now integrated into Oxford research. I look forward to watching Darina’s progress through the DPhil programme and seeing what insights her work will generate for all of us.’
Changes to the environment continue to dominate global concerns, with the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risk Report identifying extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as the issues most likely to have a severe impact over the coming decade. Artificial intelligence and machine learning, combined with advances in climate science, are viewed as having great potential to help address the climate crisis, from more quickly identifying the risks posed by weather events to building more resilient response systems and accelerating innovation.
Professor Myles Allen, Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics in the Department of Physics, said: ‘The AlbaCore Capital Studentship will allow Darina to study within a newly emerging research area focused on the use of AI in quantifying extreme weather trends. Darina’s impressive academic background and passion for the subject make her a natural fit to join the next generation of DPhil students using advanced AI skills to address the world’s pressing environmental issues.’
Darina begins her studies at Oxford having recently earned a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Cambridge, where she also received an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences. She previously completed a climate modelling internship with Oxford’s AOPP research group, as well as a geophysics internship at the University of Tokyo.
Darina commented: ‘As the impact of climate change becomes more apparent, tackling it using new technological advances may present our best hope of resolving one of my generation’s most pressing issues. The AlbaCore Capital Studentship will aid me in focusing on applying these technologies, including AI and machine learning, which I will be trained in via a tailored DPhil programme. Thank you to AlbaCore and the University of Oxford for providing me with this opportunity.’
The AlbaCore Capital Studentship is the latest example of the firm’s longstanding efforts to address the impact of carbon on the environment. Since it was established, AlbaCore has continually evolved its environmental, social and governance (ESG) and responsible investing initiatives. It also regularly holds events that bring together the financial services, legal, scientific and academic communities to discuss responses to the climate crisis.
Professor Jim Naismith, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division at the University of Oxford, added: ‘We are thrilled to welcome the AlbaCore Capital Studentship to Oxford. This partnership exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that is essential for tackling the complex challenges posed by climate change. Combining financial sector support with cutting-edge academic research allows us to train the next generation of scientists like Darina, who will apply AI and machine learning to urgent global issues.’
This studentship marks a bold step towards harnessing AI to address the climate crisis. With AlbaCore’s support, Darina’s research will help shape innovative solutions for a more resilient and sustainable future.