Fall 2024 Newsletter
ECU CSE3 Newsletter
Student Spotlight
An Exceptional Student Nearing Graduation!
The center is thrilled to bring to the spotlight Ms. Ellie Aronson, one of our most dedicated students. She has been with us since January and is set to graduate on December 13 with a BS in Engineering, concentrating in Environmental Engineering. As a research assistant for the Pollution Prevention Team at CSE3, Ellie has contributed to various initiatives, including the P2 internship program. She has also been actively working on the cost-benefit analysis for the P2 internship reports.
Ellie shared that her time with us has been both rewarding and enjoyable. In her words, “I have learned a lot and gained consulting and industry experience that I would not have had otherwise. I have greatly enjoyed my time here.” We are incredibly grateful for her hard work and the valuable contributions she has made to the center. As she prepares to transition to the next chapter of her career, we wish her great success in all her future endeavors.
CSE3 activities highlights
Dr. Randall
Presented 3 talks at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting in July. Two talks were based on research done by a graduate student and the third talk was an invited talk on course-based undergraduate.
Students Engagement in Campus Events
On August 29, our team participated in the Get a Clue event at the ECU Student Involvement Fair, where our students shared their experiences from the Pollution Prevention (P2) internships and engaged with fellow students. This interactive experience allowed us to connect with the campus community and inspire more students to get involved.
Most recently, on October 23, we hosted a booth during ACU Campus Sustainability Day, focusing on Goal #7: Affordable & Clean Energy, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. During this event, students showcased current EPA-funded projects related to energy and highlighted various opportunities for involvement, including open research assistant positions for EPA P2-related projects in Spring 2025. We encourage interested students to send their resumes to the center’s email to join us in making a difference in sustainability initiatives on campus.
Pollution Prevention Week Highlights (Sept 16-19)
During Pollution Prevention Week, we engaged the campus community through a series of informative activities aimed at promoting sustainable practices. Our information tables showcased valuable resources on pollution prevention and highlighted our collaborations with the ECU Sustainability Team and Releaf, a local NGO dedicated to plant, promote, and protect canopy trees.
One of the week’s highlights was a demonstration by Dr. Agarwala, who showcased innovative non-polluting technologies outside the SciTech Building, providing students with practical insights into sustainable practices. Additionally, our Pollution Prevention Specialist, Dr. Marly Carmona, contributed to a panel discussion on the thought-provoking film The Human Element, organized by the ECU Sustainability Team at the Black Box Theater. These events fostered meaningful conversations about environmental responsibility and the importance of pollution prevention in our community.
P2 Poster Presentation
On September 6, we proudly hosted the P2 Poster Presentation at the Student Center, where our six selected Pollution Prevention (P2) interns had the opportunity to showcase their summer projects. During a networking lunch, they presented their work and findings to industry professionals, fostering valuable connections and discussions around pollution prevention strategies.
The event not only highlighted the interns’ hard work and dedication but also served as a platform for sharing innovative solutions and best practices in the field. We commend our interns for their impressive presentations and thank all industry professionals who participated for their support and guidance.
Student Achievements
Congratulations Dr. Tapas!
Mahesh Tapas successfully defended his dissertation in May 2024 for the Integrated Coastal Sciences program. His dissertation was entitled “Integrative Analysis of Policy Changes for a Coastal Watershed: Implications for Agriculture and Ecosystem Health” and was completed under the direction of Randall Etheridge. Mahesh made great contributions to CSE3’s skills and abilities related to hydrological modeling. Mahesh has accepted a postdoctoral researcher position in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the Ohio State University. Congratulations Dr. Tapas!
Professor Spotlight: Meet Our Esteemed Faculty
Meet Dr. Nehad
Dr. Nehad Elsawaf’s primary research areas include Energy Economics, Financial Economics and International Finance. As a member of our affiliate faculty, she actively contributes to the interdisciplinary activities at the Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering. Her contribution to the center includes being the CO- PI on several grants, as well as mentoring students and advising them on conducting the Economic feasibility and the cost benefit analysis of the cost savings of the technical energy recommendations in the projects. We are grateful for her support to the center and to our students.
Upcoming Webinars
The Impact of Global ESG Regulations on Corporate Sustainability with Ashlyn Anderson from Stantec on Nov 14, 2-3 PM.
Register for the Nov 14 Webinar
Overview of ISO 14001 Standards and Effective EMS Implementation with Sandra Encino from Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute on Dec 3, 2-3 PM.
Register for the Dec 3 Webinar
Subscribe to our New Pollution Prevention YouTube Channel
The center hosts a monthly P2 Webinar Series, featuring expert guest speakers who share valuable insights and strategies related to pollution prevention. All past recordings are readily available for easy access. Tailored for both academic and industry audiences, these engaging online events foster in-depth discussions on innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
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