I currently am conducting research regarding hierarchically functional polymer membranes. In this lab, I work with a graduate student to synthesize and characterize new polymer materials using various instruments, with the main purpose of creating water purification membranes. These membranes are fabricated and developed, starting from creating an oligomer, all the way through adhering the membrane onto a substrate and performing tests on its performance.

Learning Resource CenterLead weekly small group and individual sessions covering homework topics and test preparation

I studied at Imperial College London’s carbon capture pilot plant during the summer of 2024. The course lasted for one month, which we studied and operated on a scaled down carbon capture pilot plant containing real industry grade equipment. By operating on this, I aquired experience I can use on a real industrial plant. I learned how to use a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) and how to relate it to the real machinery by ‘walking the line’. Additionally, I used the P&ID to make in the moment operational decisions. In teams of twelve, we ran pump control loop tests and analyzed the absorber and stripping columns for mass and heat transfer characteristics. We prepared a full technical report discussing our decisions and findings, as well as containing our fully written procedure for the tests ran. This program left me with valuable experience, and a much greater desire to work in a hand's on engineering plant.

Partnered with Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County to ideate solutions to increase Notre Dame students' volunteer engagement and retention rates at nearby Club locations using the design thinking process.