ECU CSE3 Newsletter
Fall Edition: October 30, 2025
Note from the Editor
Dear readers,
As the leaves turn red and golden across Greenville, NC, we welcome the beauty of fall and the opportunity to reflect on our shared commitment to sustainability. At CSE3, our mission remains steadfast: to increase awareness and promote sustainable practices across both our local community and North Carolina’s industry.
This season, our team participated in the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) Conference, held on October 9–10 in Raleigh, NC. It was an inspiring experience connecting with industry leaders, organizations, and partners who share our vision of helping North Carolina’s industries thrive while minimizing environmental impact. Together, we continue building the tools, partnerships, and knowledge needed to achieve sustainability across operations statewide.
Our work would not be possible without the dedication of our students, who bring energy and innovation to every project. Through their engagement at the Center, they gain valuable hands-on experience in sustainability, developing the skills and confidence needed to lead the next generation of environmental professionals.
Here’s to a productive and inspiring fall season ahead!
Marly Irby, PhD
Environmental Specialist – Pollution Prevention
Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
East Carolina University
Center Highlights
Pollution Prevention Monthlong Celebration with CSE3
In September, CSE3 celebrated Pollution Prevention Week with a series of campus events focused on sustainability and environmental awareness. From September 14-20, we took part in ECU’s “Get a Clue” student organization fair, where we had a great time meeting students interested in sustainability and sharing how CSE3 works to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency.
We also tabled at the Main Campus Student Center, connecting with more students and promoting our upcoming technical training events, opportunities, and hands-on ways to get involved. Our goal was to raise awareness around this year’s Pollution Prevention Week theme: “40 Years of Pollution Prevention (P2): Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future!”
While Pollution Prevention Week is nationally recognized for one week in September, CSE3 extended it to a month-long celebration to give more students a chance to learn how small changes can have a big impact. It was also a great way to highlight our work with local industries and how students can get involved in making sustainable change happen in the real world.
CSE3 Engages with Industry and Partners at the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Initiative Conference
We had an amazing time connecting with professionals and sustainability leaders at the Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) Conference on October 9-10 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC.
One of the highlights was seeing Hyster-Yale mention CSE3 during their presentation! They shared results from the P2 Internship Program, showing how our student interns made a real impact by identifying key opportunities for pollution prevention in their manufacturing facilities. It was exciting to see the work of our students being recognized and making a difference in real-world industry settings.
Recognizing Our Students
Maximilian Martinez, Research Assistant
Maximilian Martinez is a senior in the mechanical engineering concentration and will be graduating in May 2026. He started working with CSE3 in the fall of 2023 on the UNC Research Opportunities Initiative project focused to wastewater treatment. As part of this effort, he led the integration and maintenance of automated control systems in hybrid treatment wetland cells, enabling remote monitoring and adjustment by researchers. Beginning in the spring of 2025, he combined his expertise in mechanical engineering and controls to develop a water control structure for rural areas that can be remotely operated. The automated structure will be used in Bladen Lakes State Forest to restore water levels to those needed for growth of Atlantic white cedar and to reduce flooding. Maximilian plans to continue his education at ECU by pursuing a MS in mechanical engineering starting in fall 2026.
Katie Sperry, Research Assistant
Katie Sperry, an electrical engineering student at ECU, has been an essential part of the CSE3 team this semester. She helped lead our Pollution Prevention Month outreach by tabling at the Student Center, where she engaged with students, shared information about sustainability, and promoted our center’s mission. In addition to her outreach work, Katie also contributes behind the scenes by assisting with the technical assessment reports we provide to local manufacturing facilities, supporting real-world pollution prevention and energy efficiency strategies that have a lasting impact. This semester, Katie has also taken the initiative to expand our center’s reach by developing new connections and inviting experts to speak in our Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Webinar Series. So far, she has successfully brought in two guest speakers this fall and is actively working to secure additional presenters for next year.
We’re incredibly thankful for Katie’s dedication, professionalism, and the energy she brings to everything she does at CSE3!
Our Current News
Senior Environmental Engineer from Bridgestone, teaches environmental regulations technical course at The Isley Innovation Hub at East Carolina University®.
CSE3 recently hosted a full-day technical course titled “Using Environmental Regulations to Drive Sustainability and Pollution Prevention in Manufacturing.” The session, led by Ms. Myrna Pacheco, Senior Environmental Engineer at Bridgestone, brought together students, faculty, and industry professionals to explore how environmental regulations can be leveraged to enhance sustainability and pollution prevention practices within manufacturing operations.
Participants gained insights into key air, water, and waste regulations, along with practical strategies for compliance and pollution prevention (P2). The event fostered meaningful discussion on aligning regulatory requirements with corporate sustainability goals.
Students working with CSE3 played an important role in the success of the event, contributing their skills in outreach, communications, and event coordination to ensure a strong turnout and professional presentation.
Feedback from Us
Experience Opinion Board
We asked our staff and student employees about their experience working at CSE3 and what they have liked most about it.
Bryan Mendoza, Research Assistant
Working at CSE3 has been a great opportunity and rewarding experience because I get to work on real sustainability projects that make an impact on industries and communities. I enjoy collaborating with my supervisor and team as we find ways to reduce energy use and improve efficiency using data and engineering tools. Every day brings something new to learn, which makes the job fun, engaging, and never boring.
Pablo Nuñez, Pollution Prevention Specialist
Working at CSE3 is always a positive experience. I have the chance to grow professionally with constant training. It is also rewarding to support North Carolina Manufacturers improving their energy efficiency practices and overall, every project is a chance to learn, grow, and make a positive impact around the community.
Get involved: Upcoming Events
Energy and Environment in Focus: Lightning Talks
Join us for a rapid-fire showcase of short, punchy talks from interdisciplinary researchers across ECU. In just 5–7 minutes each, speakers will spotlight new ideas, methods, and real-world impact, and you’ll leave with fresh connections (and future collaborators!).
When & Where
Thursday, November 6, 2025, | 4:00–6:00 PM
SciTech C207, East Carolina University.
Register for Energy and Environment in Focus: Lightning Talks
Speaker Info
- Talk length: 5–7 minutes total. You may reserve time for questions, or we’ll hold Q&A at the end.
- Slides due: By 12:00 PM (noon) on Wednesday, November 5
- How to submit: Email your deck to etheridgej15@ecu.edu (PDF or PowerPoint).
Featuring presenters from
- CSE3
- Coastal Studies Institute
- Biology
- Construction Management
- Economics
- Engineering
- Technology Systems
Webinar: Energy Management – A Pathway to Carbon Neutrality
Date: Thu, Nov 13, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Location: MS Teams
Speaker: Katerina Dimovski, M.Sc.El.Eng.
Join us for our upcoming webinar, “Energy Management — A Pathway to Carbon Neutrality,” where we’ll dive into strategies and best practices to reduce energy use and emissions through smart facility and operational decisions.
Online Technical Course: Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvement
Date: December 11 & 12, 2025
Time: 1:00–5:00 pm EST
Location: MS Teams
Instructor: Dr. Ethan Languri
This training provides practical tools to evaluate and implement cost-effective energy projects in manufacturing. Participants will learn to apply Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and explore key topics such as utility rate structures, power factor analysis, load shifting, and compressed air systems. Real-world case studies will illustrate how to analyze energy cost drivers, collect and interpret data, and use software tools to assess opportunities.
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
- Dr. Marly Irby, Pollution Prevention Specialist
- Pablo Nunez MSc, Pollution Prevention Specialist
- Katie Sperry, Research Assistant
- Ash Davis, Creative Design and Communications Assistant
- Daniel Hackett, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to these events, and we hope to see you there!