Winter 2026 Newsletter
Winter Edition: January 15, 2026
Note from the Editor
Dear readers,
Happy New Year, and welcome to the first CSE3 newsletter edition of 2026, our Winter Edition. As we step into a new year, we are energized by the momentum building at the Center and the opportunities ahead to support North Carolina’s industry and community partners through pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and practical sustainability solutions. This season marks a strong ramp-up in outreach, training, and engagement. We are preparing for a new slate of events and technical learning opportunities designed to help organizations strengthen performance, reduce environmental impact, and stay ahead of evolving needs.
We also want to extend a sincere thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Your participation, whether through attending events, partnering on projects, or sharing our resources helps expand the reach and impact of our work statewide. That impact is also made possible by the outstanding work of our students, whose professionalism, creativity, and commitment strengthen every initiative we deliver.
Wishing you a productive start to 2026,
Marly Irby, PhD
Environmental Specialist – Pollution Prevention
Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
East Carolina University
Center Highlights
CSE3 Hosts SENA Exchange Students from Caldas, Colombia
In Mid-November, We had the opportunity to host a group of exchange students with their two professors from SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje) in Caldas, Colombia. From the very first day, they were excited to learn about ECU, explore our campus, and connect with our students and staff. Having three Spanish speakers on our team made communicating even easier and helped everyone feel more comfortable throughout the visit. SENA is a major educational institution in Colombia that offers hands-on technical and technological training.
The regional center in Caldas reaches all 27 municipalities in the area and provides programs in agriculture, industrial work, metalworking, automotive technology, electrical systems, construction, textiles, business, and more. They also use platforms like SOFIA Plus and BETOWA to help students manage their studies and access a wide variety of free learning opportunities in both virtual and in-person formats.
Their visit began at CSE3, where we introduced them to our offices, research initiatives, and projects focused on sustainability and renewable energy. We enjoyed hearing about the technical and innovation-focused work happening at SENA and comparing our experiences. Next, we brought them to the Isley Innovation Hub, where they explored the makerspace and collaborative areas used by students across campus. They were impressed by the creativity, technology, and hands-on learning happening there. Throughout their stay, we also toured them around ECU so they could experience what daily student life is like here.
One of the highlights of their trip was attending ECU’s Parade of Flags at the Main Student Center. They got to see flags from around the world, including Colombia’s, and enjoyed the lively and welcoming atmosphere. It was a special moment for them to see their culture represented on campus. Toward the end of their visit, we also took them to University Book Exchange (UBE) in downtown Greenville. They had fun picking out ECU gear, taking pictures, and experiencing a popular local spot.
Hosting the SENA students from Caldas was an amazing experience. We learned a lot about their programs, shared what we do at ECU, and had many good conversations in both English and Spanish. Their 10 days with us brought new perspectives, great energy, and meaningful cultural exchange. We were happy to have them here and hope to continue building connections in the future.
They are welcome at ECU anytime. Gracias por visitarnos, SENA Caldas.
CSE3 Showcases Talent and Industry Partnerships at SAGA Human Factor Series
East Carolina University’s Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (CSE3) was proud to participate in the Sanford Area Growth Alliance (SAGA) Human Factor Series: Link to the Pipeline on November 18, 2025, at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center in Sanford, NC. This quarterly event brings together HR professionals, industry leaders, and workforce partners to strengthen connections between academic programs and regional workforce needs. During the event, CSE3 joined partners from Duke University, NC State, and Central Carolina Community College to discuss how universities can support local industries through internships, student projects, and hands-on training. CSE3 highlighted the variety of opportunities it offers for student engagement, including senior design projects, applied research, and real-world consulting experiences in energy and environmental engineering.
These activities help students build practical skills while giving employers access to new talent and fresh perspectives. The program also emphasized its strong commitment to collaboration, inviting companies to partner with CSE3 by sponsoring projects, hosting interns, or exploring applied research that supports process improvement, sustainability efforts, and technical innovation. This message aligned closely with the event’s theme of strengthening the workforce pipeline. CSE3 shared how its experiential learning opportunities are designed to prepare graduates who are ready to meet evolving industry needs.
Recognizing Our Students
Ash Davis Receives Hitachi Astemo Technology Scholarship
The Department of Computer Science is proud to recognize Ash Davis for being selected as a recipient of the Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. Technology Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year. This competitive scholarship, formerly known as the Keihin Systems Scholarship, awards $2,500 to students who demonstrate strong academic performance, dedication to engineering and technology, and a commitment to excellence within the College of Engineering and Technology. Ash was honored at the Robert E. and Betty S. Hill Recognition of Excellence Event October 17th, 2025, where scholarship recipients are acknowledged for their achievements and contributions to the ECU community. Please join us in congratulating Ash on this outstanding accomplishment and in celebrating the continued success of our ECU CSE3 students!
Student Spotlight: Makenna Allatt
Makenna Allatt is a senior in the environmental engineering concentration. She will be graduating in May 2026. Makenna started working with CSE3 in the spring of 2024 as a part of a project using nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment. She primarily focused on calibrating water quality monitoring equipment and laboratory analysis for this project. Her role has since expanded to include design of outreach materials, data management, and leading lab safety efforts. Makenna is currently an integral part of the team that is installing monitoring equipment at Lake Mattamuskeet to evaluate sources of nutrients entering the lake. She will begin work with Kimley-Horn as a civil engineer on renewable energy projects following graduation.
Get involved: Upcoming Events
Technical Courses: February 2026
Online Technical Course: Implementing Energy Management Systems (EnMS) and Auditing Principles for Manufacturers
** Anyone registered to our online courses will be able to access the course for two weeks post-event. **
This two-day online training provides a comprehensive introduction to the strategic approach towards Energy Management Systems (EnMS) based on the ISO 50001 standard. Participants will gain practical knowledge of how to design, implement, and audit an effective EnMS to improve energy performance and support organizational decarbonization goals.
New Year Special: Free Registration Extended!
We’ve extended our limited-time offer. Register for free through January 31. Secure your spot now before the promotion ends.
A certificate will be awarded upon completion.
Register for Implementing Energy Management Systems (EnMS) and Auditing Principles for Manufacturers
- Instructor: Katerina Dimovski
M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. - Date: February 18th-19th
- Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EST) each day
- Location: Online via MS Teams each day
Webinars: February – March 2026
Design of Manufacturing System for Optimal Operation – A case study of AI-based application for Green Hydrogen Production
Date: February 26
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM (EST)
Location: MS Teams
Speaker: Dr. Jinkun Lee
In this talk, we present a case study illustrating how AI can support decision-making for the optimal operation of a production system. The case focuses on a green hydrogen production system that uses renewable solar energy and grid electricity to produce hydrogen via an electrolyzer. The system must satisfy market demand for hydrogen, while key operational decisions involve managing the mix of solar and grid power. The organization can both purchase electricity from and sell excess power to the grid. The objective is to maximize the overall operational profit. We demonstrate the development of an integrated dynamic model and the application of a reinforcement learning–based AI approach to derive optimal operational policies.
Register for Design of Manufacturing System for Optimal Operation
Strategies for Hurricane Resilience and Pollution Prevention
Date: March 26
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM (EST)
Location: MS Teams
Speaker: Dr. Carol Massarra
This topic explores advanced engineering and construction strategies aimed at enhancing the durability and longevity of buildings and infrastructure in regions prone to hurricanes and extreme weather events. It emphasizes the integration of resilient design principles that allow structures to withstand high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, thereby reducing structural damage, loss of life, and economic disruption. At the same time, the topic addresses strategies for minimizing environmental pollution, including runoff contamination, debris, and emissions associated with construction and post-storm recovery.
Register for Strategies for Hurricane Resilience and Pollution Prevention
Workshops: March 2026
Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing
The Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering at East Carolina University invites you to join us for the workshop Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing, where we’ll explore practical strategies to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainable practices in production processes. The event is free to attend but registration is required. Lunch for registered attendees will be provided.
Register for Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing
- Date: Wednesday, March, 25
- Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
- Location: East Carolina University; Isley Innovation Hub. Room:167.
For all events, accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities. Contact the ADA coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at (252) 737-1018 or ada-coordinator@ecu.edu.
Don’t miss out on these hands-on learning opportunities to advance your sustainable manufacturing skills!
Editorial Contributors
- Marly Irby, Ph.D, Pollution Prevention Specialist
- Pablo Nunez, MSc, Pollution Prevention Specialist
- Katie Sperry, Research Assistant
- Ash Davis, Creative Design and Communications Assistant
- Bryan Mendoza, Research Assistant
Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to these events, and we hope to see you there!