I have just finished my Masters in Materials Science and Engineering (3.9/4.0) this past spring at Stevens Institute of Technology and before that my Chemical Engineering Bachelors (3.8/4.0) at SIT as well. I am now looking to pursue a career in Engineering with a sustainable outlook or my PhD in Materials/Chemical Engineering.
Part of what makes me an essential team player is my versatility when it comes to engineering knowledge combined with my ability to comprehend and solve problems quickly. Polymers are my passion, I am confident that they are the way of the future, even more so than the already large portion they take up of our daily consumption. If we are to use them more and more, the question of recyclability needs to be answered for successive generations. I am very confident in all disciplines of engineering, and I also have a knack for marketing and designing methodical systems that allow for organic growth in businesses.
I became passionate about engineering when I visited Adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Learning about the applications of engineering excited me, and I decided to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering throughout University. During my time as an undergraduate, I took my first materials class, and fell in love with polymers, most importantly their diversity and malleability. By this, I mean that they can be designed to fit any and every situation necessary. During this project, I redesigned the Adidas Ultraboost Technology which is made of TPU particles and incorporated an additive in production to help accelerate the degradation process of the TPU at the end of life. From this, I took as many polymers and materials courses as I could get my hands on. I couldn’t get enough, as Materials are a combination of my two favorite types of Engineering, Mechanical and Chemical. The most intuitive motion for me was to pursue a masters in this. During my time, I not only acquired knowledge on organic compound and polymer synthesis, but I also gained experience in a laboratory using different microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Specifically, I completed research under Professor Pinar Akcora studying the Rotational and Translational Diffusivity of PAA Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals. I also worked with two different professors during my masters. One of my projects is redesigning the cigarette filter which is primarily made of CA with Natural fibers and another polymer; this is a working idea that I am looking to turn into a business over the next couple of years. The other was the idea of creating a responsive piezoelectric laminate using electrodes that can sustain damage as well as heal itself from that damage. Each of these experiences gave me the opportunity to learn more about polymers and their properties, but most importantly it gave me the ability to work with some of the greatest minds in materials and polymer engineering. Now I am currently living in Denmark at a Højskole, studying sustainability as I want to be part of a fully sustainable future.
My passions outside of the professional world include soccer and family. I have been playing soccer for longer than I have known how to write. It is a wonderful passion of mine that has brought me to places like Germany, Scotland, Denmark, Italy, and England to go on trial at professional clubs including Dundee FC and FC Erzgebirge Aue, as well as play against teams like AC Milan and SPAL in the Torneo di Viareggio. My family members are extremely supportive of me in all that I do, and without them I would have nothing. My work ethic and wanting for greatness stems from my parents and all the lessons they have taught me. My goal in the near future is to create my own line of eco friendly footwear, and to leave my mark on the world through my work in the engineering design field.