Studying flexible operation opportunities for wastewater treatment plants with the Water & Energy Efficiency for the Environment Lab (WE3Lab)

Supporting data collection and method development for the inaugural California Wastewater Needs Assessment.

I completed an assessment of Sanitaire's product portfolio for process emissions, and coordinated with corporate strategy team to recommend technology investments compatible with future net-zero utilities.I supported the product management team through the Taron Activated Sludge Filter's commercial launch in October 2023. I also co-developed customer pilot project proposals for novel resource recovery treatment trains integrating Taron, together with R&D team members.

Managed mechanical design development to raise our Taron Activated Sludge Filter from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 to TRL 9.Taron was launched in Europe in September 2022. https://www.xylem.com/en-uk/products--services/treatment-products-systems/clarification/taron-activated-sludge-filter/Climate connection: Optimizing Taron's performance serves to reduce the combined electricity consumption of secondary + tertiary treatment. Mapping out Taron's full life-cycle and carbon cost will give further insights into the savings. Climate downside: a lot of steel.

Xylem's engineering rotational program, from July 2019 - June 2021.ROTATION 1 - TURBINE PUMPS (July 2019 - February 2020) - Lubbock, TX - Designed and updated engineering calculation templates to improve consistency in methodology and create high-quality customer reports for vertical turbine pumps-Led our product line's certification to NSF Standard 50 for recreational water products, making Xylem the first company to certify vertical turbine pumps to this standard Climate connection: Pump efficiency and optimization have great potential to reduce utility electricity consumption. Still, efficiency gains won't reduce total consumption unless paired with water usage regulations. Turbine pumps can enable significant damage by depleting groundwater sources.ROTATION 2 - CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY (February 2020 - October 2020) - Rye Brook, NY (remote) - Project managed the delivery of Xylem's 2019 corporate sustainability report, including the first progress report for our 2025 sustainability goals. - Led projects to 1) implement a product impact assessment methodology and 2) ensure Xylem employees' access to clean water and sanitationClimate connection: Xylem's climate change strategy is a bold one within the industrial equipment sector, and there is always the ability to always do more. Being in this role was critical for me to understand how corporations think about climate change.ROTATION 3 - WASTEWATER FILTRATION (November 2020 - July 2021) - Zelienople, PA-product development for Xylem's Taron Rotating Dynamic Disc Filter, for secondary and tertiary wastewater treatmentClimate connection: Optimizing Taron's performance serves to reduce the combined electricity consumption of secondary + tertiary treatment. Mapping out Taron's full life-cycle and carbon cost will give further insights into the savings.

Hyalex is a medical device company developing novel cartilage replacement technology. The high standards of medical device development gave me invaluable insights into how to do engineering "right".I developed material testing procedures involving:- development of a 6-channel temperature control system- construction of a pneumatic load control circuit- reduction of procedure time, through automation and new equipment design- test method documentationClimate connection: No direct connection

HRL's Infrared Sensors group develops high-resolution IR arrays. My projects included:- modeling manufacturing yield for integrated circuits- building a multi-year project schedule and spend plan with bottoms-up estimation- designing and procuring custom components for cryogenic cooling tanksDisclosure of privilege: this internship opportunity came via the professional connections of a close friend.Climate connection: No direct connection, aside from the use of cooled IR technologies in satellite monitoring of Earth systems

I designed and carried out experiments to determine the effect of a mineral-bridging structure found in nacre, a biological composite material in seashells.Climate connection: Potential benefits to creating more lightweight and resilient materials for buildings and vehicles. No direct connection explored.

I stocked specialty items at multiple retail locations in the Mobile, AL area.Climate connection: No direct connection; in fact specialty chocolate is probably a net-negative for the climate :)