Education
BS Environmental Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
Sustainable Energy Minor
Humanitarian Engineering Certificate
Research Interests
In my undergraduate research at UT under Dr. Mary Jo Kirisits, I studied pathogens in drinking water and markers for microbial activity in drinking water treatment plants. Through the UT Humanitarian Product Development Program, I worked with experts in academia, industry, and the IFRC to develop a solar-heated biodigester system scalable for implementation at a refugee camp. With UT Aquaponics, a student research organization that operates aquaponic systems to simultaneously cultivate fish and plants, I helped build a mobile aquaponic system which we used to teach the community about aquaponics and sustainability. These experiences and my mentors taught me valuable engineering and wet lab skills, and they demonstrated the importance of engaging broader communities in scientific research. In the Delgado Vela lab, I am working with North Carolina community organizations to investigate conditions that impact toxicity of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) (link to project). This work will help develop cHAB mitigation and surveillance solutions to reduce their toxicity and keep vulnerable populations informed of cHAB events. Outside of the lab, I have many hobbies including singing, dancing, drawing, painting, baking, reading, binging, bouldering, badminton, crochet, trivia, and staring at the sky.
Awards, Honors, and Distinction
UT Environmental Engineering Leadership Award (2024)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2024)
Texas Water University Forum First Place Presentation (2024)
UT Undergraduate Research Symposium Best Presentation in Molecular Biosciences (2023)
UT Student Employee of the Year Finalist (2023)
UT Linford Family Endowed Scholarship (2023)
UT Goyette Family Endowed Research Fellowship (2022, 2023)
UT Dr. Taylor and Edythe Gilbert Scholarship (2022, 2023)
Purdue Engineering Virtual Graduate Showcase Honorable Mention (2022)
Water Environment Association of Texas Scholarship (2022)
UT Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2021)
UT Academy Undergraduate Research Scholarship (2021)
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship (2020)
United States President’s Volunteer Service Award (2019)
Other Interests
Singing, dancing, drawing, painting, baking, crochet, reading, trivia, binging, bouldering, badminton, and staring at the sky