Undergraduate Students

Students take third in national competition with design for Denver-area wastewater utility

Jeff Zehnder — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:02:43 +0000

Students take third in national competition with design for Denver-area wastewater utility Jeff Zehnder Mon, 11/18/2024 - 11:02

Jeff Zehnder

WEF President-Elect Keith Hobson with team members Tess Insalaco, Caroline McClung, Bonnie Brudie, Joaquin Garfias, and Grace Lee.

Designing wastewater treatment of the future

A team of University of Colorado Boulder environmental engineering undergraduates has earned national accolades for a wastewater treatment project.

The group of five students took third place at the Water Environment Federation’s Student Design Competition in New Orleans last month with their senior capstone project to overhaul how a Denver-area utility, South Platte Renew, manages wastewater treatment.

“They serve 19 districts, including Littleton,” said team member Bonnie Brudie (EnvEngr’24). “They’re a forward-looking wastewater treatment plant, and their solids-handling treatment process is nearing the end of its life. They wanted a student team to evaluate their current system and propose improvements as if the whole system were being redone from scratch.”

All environmental engineering students complete a senior design capstone that challenges them to apply the skills they have learned over the course of their degree to a real-world problem. Many projects work with an outside business or government sponsor, like South Platte Renew.

The team, which also included Joaquin Garfias, Tess Insalaco, Grace Lee and Caroline McClung, spent a semester creating a conceptual design for a pyrolysis and biodrying system. It would utilize high temperatures in excess of 500 °C in an oxygen-free environment to turn solid waste into biochar, which eliminates most contaminants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFA) substances.

“It’s a new technology, but could revolutionize biosolid treatment in the USA,” Brudie said. “Pyrolysis turns solid waste into Class A Exceptional Quality under EPA rules, which is basically unregulated. You can do whatever you want with it.”

Before settling on pyrolysis, the team completed preliminary design work on the idea and conducted a thorough review of alternatives through a multi-criteria decision matrix that considered feasibility, cost, and regulatory compliance.

“The problem statement from SPR was extensive. They were great to work with, and they took our work seriously. They’re very interested in seeing what the possibilities will be. I don’t think they’ll jump on this right away, but if you’re looking out into the future, there is real potential,” Brudie said.

The proposal earned more than just positive feedback from SPR. The team also presented it to the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association’s student design competition earlier this spring, where they won first place, earning them a trip to the national WEF conference. There, they received third in the wastewater division.

“I wasn’t expecting to place at a national competition,” Brudie said. “We really put our best foot forward, and they liked our organization and our presentation style. We represented the great work students are doing at �� Boulder and the instruction we received.”

Brudie emphasized the entire team was critical to their success.

“Having people that are all working together for a similar end goal is so important. It was absolutely a team effort of the student members, faculty, our advisors, our principal, and technical advisor. Everyone showed up consistently and put energy into the project to make this happen,” Brudie said.

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Meet Our Undergrads: Mia Lonergan

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:57:41 +0000

Meet Our Undergrads: Mia Lonergan Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/22/2024 - 14:57

We sat down with graduating fourth-year environmental engineering student Mia Lonergan to share about her �� Engineering experience! Mia has served as treasurer for the �� Boulder Society of Women Engineers (SWE) during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.

What inspired you to pursue engineering or STEM in general?

I always had a love for math and chemistry. I was always interested in understanding how things worked and why certain objects could function. This helped to align my interests in technology with STEM and pursue a career in engineering.

When did you know you wanted to study environmental engineering?

I was heavily involved in 4H in elementary, middle and high school. Being part of the organization fostered my interest in sustainability and the needs of the future. I knew I wanted to study environmental engineering, as it offered a focus on energy conversion. Specifically, I wanted to pursue a career in the renewable energy sector, leading me to later pursue a minor in energy engineering in addition to my degree.

What challenges do you hope environmental engineering can solve in the future?

I hope that environmental engineering can solve the energy crisis in the future, assisting in a clean transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Fossil fuels will always be used for transportation and electricity generation. However, incorporating a larger ratio of renewable energy like wind, solar, microgrids and hydrogen, will allow us to shift to a cleaner future.

What stood out to you about �� Boulder as you considered college options?

�� Boulder stood out to me when I considered college options, as it offered both beauty and brains. I was interested in attending a university with a top-ranked engineering program that offered networking opportunities, resources for students and active hands-on learning experiences. �� Engineering offered various opportunities to make connections with other students, professors and industry professionals.

Specifically, the BOLD Center stuck out to me as it offers resources, tutoring, networking, professional development, student society involvement, and more to underrepresented students in engineering. Finally, Boulder offers plenty of outdoor activities including hiking and snowboarding nearby: two of my favorite hobbies. Not to mention, you can’t beat the view of the Flatirons every morning!

What are some of your memorable experiences at �� Engineering?

Some of my memorable experiences at �� Engineering include participating in the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design project on the �� Buffwind Team. It has been an amazing experience contributing to a project that will be presented at the Department of Energy NREL Collegiate Wind Competition this May. Another memorable experience included participating in BuffProjects where I got to work with a group of students on an industry project. Finally, I have been heavily involved in the Society of Women Engineers where I unlocked countless experiences and connections.

What are your favorite aspects of being involved with SWE?

My favorite aspects of being involved with SWE include mentorships, networking opportunities, industry exposure and the opportunity to meet women and other minorities in both STEM and engineering fields here at ��.

Our mentorship program has connected me with various undergraduate students as well as fostered connections with industry mentors. I have had the opportunity to network with 50+ companies here on campus and 200+ companies at both national and local conferences through the �� Boulder Society of Women Engineers.

This is my second year serving on the executive board as treasurer. It has allowed me to partake in SWE on both a national and local level and assist the section in achieving our goals. SWE has truly transformed my experience at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Why should someone consider joining SWE?

Someone should consider joining SWE if they want to meet new people within the school of engineering; practice networking; partake in STEM-related activities with younger audiences including elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and Girl Scouts; travel to national and local conferences where you can meet engineers of all ages in all industries; partake in professional development; or do a fun activity with other students at one of our weekly meetings!

Are you involved with other student organizations on campus?

During my time here at ��, I have participated in Engineers Without Borders Rwanda, the Society of Environmental Engineers, the �� Energy Club and currently the �� Wind Energy Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to take some time to travel during the summer before starting with Mortenson as a wind energy group field engineer on their wind team. I look forward to working on-site during the construction of wind farms.

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Three students earn American Water Works Association scholarships

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 15:43:23 +0000

Three students earn American Water Works Association scholarships Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/11/2023 - 09:43

Three University of Colorado Boulder Environmental Engineering graduate students have earned 2023 scholarships through the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Emma Wells (Advisors: Amy Javernick-Will and Karl Linden) is recipient of the HDR One Water Institute Scholarship. Her work focuses on water quality and utility risk management. She says that her research is only successful through collaboration and she will use the scholarship funding while “working with operators, regulators, and utility management to understand their experiences with risk management. I will use these funds to meet with my partners and collect data. I hope that my work can be used to support utilities as they navigate ever-changing environmental, regulatory, and technical contexts to provide safe water"

Nadia Jorgensen (Advisor: Scott Summers), recipient of the Holly A. Cornell scholarship from Jacobs, says the scholarship will help with her future plans. “I hope to continue evaluating granular active carbon performance for controlling unregulated and regulated disinfection by-products across a range of water matrices and developing laboratory skills to analyze contaminants in samples.”

Emma Payne (Advisor: Karl Linden) is receiving the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship. Her thesis is about improving UV advanced oxidation efficiency through tailored wavelength and radical promoter innovations. Emma in interested in passing on her knowledge to the next generation, "I am committed to being a good mentor and teacher, in addition to researcher and graduate student. As much as I thoroughly believe that my research will advance the field of environmental engineering, I also recognize that helping others to achieve their goals and contribute to the field is equally important. In this vein, I have pursued several mentoring and teaching opportunities and will continue to seek these opportunities out during my graduate career and beyond.”

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"I love solving challenging environmental problems."

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:07:32 +0000

"I love solving challenging environmental problems." Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/31/2022 - 09:07

Name: Yu Hong (Lisa) Wang
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Program: Environmental Engineering

"This department holds a warming place in my heart as I am greeted by smiling faces who genuinely care about each other."

I was born in China, Qingdao, an attractive coastal city with influences from both Germany and Japan. I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, a beautiful country known for its communal diversity. Growing up in a competitive all-girls British school, I had developed a love for reading and baking, alongside swimming and distance running. Recently my friends have convinced me to rock climb with them, which is also an incredibly rewarding sport. I am a senior in the Environmental Engineering Program focusing specifically on Indoor Air Quality, doing research with Professor Shelly Miller.

I plan to graduate with a BS in December 2019 and hope to continue graduate school here at ��. I love working with people, so I would say that the greatest accomplishment of my education so far is being able to build life-lasting relationships with the very people I have the honor to attend classes with. I’m incredibly passionate about God and hope to be used someday in Women’s ministry as a female engineer. My favorite place on campus right now is probably the newly furnished SEEC building. It’s a privilege to accompany research and homework with the magnificent view of the Flatirons right outside your window.

How did you choose to study Environmental Engineering at ��? What sets apart ��’s Environmental Engineering Program?

Besides the gorgeous winter campus pictures all over the internet, I chose �� for our ranking in EVEN and it was the most affordable school for my circumstance.

After the first semester in Environmental Engineering, I switched out to Mechanical, thinking that I could take an alternative route to where I wanted to be. After further inspection of my classes in junior year, I switched back into Environmental Engineering, finally understanding the path I want to pursue. I love solving challenging environmental problems, more than any other problem in the field of Engineering. I realized soon after that the Environmental Engineering Program at �� focuses not only on academia but every single faculty uplifts individual students in our department. When I walk into the Environmental Wing in the Engineering Centre, I am greeted by smiling faces of people who genuinely appreciate another individual outside of their intended academic or career path. That is why this department holds a warming place in my heart.

What enrichment activities (including internships, research, study abroad, etc.) have you been involved in at ��? How have these affected your experience here?

I have had the privilege to be part of the Engineering Honors Program, where I have encountered many talented, passionate engineering peers and friends. My freshman year, I gained insight on the technical field working for a start-up robotics company. My sophomore and junior years have stimulated my passion for academia and solving problems in a formal institution, learning to collaborate with people who are often older and more experienced than me. A slightly different community, however, has helped me grow from a freshman girl in STEM to a woman in STEM, is my ministry Christian Challenge.
I have gained a new understanding of how to influence and bless others as a Christian in engineering. Stepping out of this department, to a smaller community can sometimes be overwhelming as we lose hope to try to implement change in the world. However, to aim for a larger purpose, I can shift my perspective, putting on a different set of lenses to dream small and look towards the needs of my immediate vicinity to implement change. In my engineering classes, I’ve suddenly understood how to practically view every problem with a step by step mindset starting with changing my own thoughts, engaging my classmates and colleagues in the process before trying to ‘fix and change our society’.

What is a highlight of your academic career at ��? This could be a class, lab, project or research.

In the summer of 2018, through a research program by ��, I was able to work with Professor Shelly Miller. Professor Miller introduced me to the world of air pollution control, specifically focusing on indoor air quality. Currently, I am working on a project with the City of Boulder, trying to understand the benefits of public health relating to indoor air quality with a transition to cleaner energy in Boulder. Americans spend an average of 70-90% of our time indoors, so indoor air is one of the main factors that contribute to respiratory health. I love sharing ideas with people who come from such different backgrounds than I do. It’s been superbly rewarding.

What do you plan to do after graduating from ��? How has your educational experience helped you prepare for this?

I plan to stay at �� for an MS degree and hope to continue this path in academia. Rigorous engineering classes has helped nurture my stamina and time management skills to take on a lot more than I ever thought I could handle. And, of course, EVEN was what started my interest in the field of air pollution in the first place.

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Becoming an environmental engineer to improve water quality in developing countries

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:08:18 +0000

Becoming an environmental engineer to improve water quality in developing countries Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/01/2022 - 09:08

Name: Sydney Litchfield
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Major: Environmental Engineering
Year: Senior

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and did not start taking interest in engineering until I was in college. An inspiration behind becoming an engineer was watching my city go from one of the dirtiest places in the country to one of the cleanest urban areas in the nation.

I never believed that I could be an engineer, so I pushed the thought behind me, but even still, the idea lived in the back of my mind.

Once I started college I realized I had no idea what I wanted to study. After my freshman year, I took a gap year and volunteered as an English teacher in Cairo, Egypt for 10 months.

While I was there, all I could see was the need for better water resources, structures, simple filtration, and overall better infrastructure within the city.

When I returned home, I decided that I wanted to pursue my once repressed dream of becoming an engineer.

I chose environmental engineering because I enjoy problem solving, and it was the track where I felt that I could connect with people in the community and help out.

I am now a senior, hopeful for Fall 2023 graduation!

I started my undergrad in Tennessee, but at the beginning of the pandemic, I moved to Colorado and decided to transfer to �� Boulder.

I had experienced Boulder through summer jobs in high school and during college working as a counselor at summer camps, including Glacier View Ranch camp in Ward, Colorado.

On my days off, I would travel around the mountains and go into town in Boulder. During my visits, I noticed that �� Boulder had a program in environmental engineering.

From going on campus tours and seeing the program highlights I knew that I would love to go to here.

Boulder also has great people and offers an outdoor lifestyle with everyone I have met along the way. I have the opportunity to spend what free time I have outside with some of my best friends.

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From professional ballerina to environmental engineer

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 21:20:12 +0000

From professional ballerina to environmental engineer Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/27/2022 - 15:20

Elizabeth Wallace
Header Image: Wallace hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

Name: Elizabeth (Izzy) Wallace
Hometown: Lexington, Ky
Major: Environmental Engineering Bachelor Accelerated Masters (BAM) student
Year: Senior

My path to engineering was not straight and narrow.

As a child growing up in Lexington Kentucky, I showed a talent for the arts and a natural curiosity for science. However, for a long time, the latter of my interests was pushed to the back.

I was singularly focused on my goal of becoming a ballerina. I achieved this goal at the age of seventeen when I joined the New York City Ballet. I continued to dance professionally for the following eight years, but along the way, I realized this wasn’t what I wanted.

One day on a hike with a loved one, I offhandedly said, “I wish I could be an environmental scientist.”

He replied, “Why can't you?”

No one had ever given stock to the idea that I could do something with this other passion of mine.

When I got home, I ordered some used textbooks and applied to the local community college. Unexpectedly, I found I was getting more fulfillment out of my night classes than in my ballet career. So, I officially retired from ballet and began classes at the University of Colorado Boulder.

I am now focused on a new goal, protecting our environment and determining how we can optimize human development within the constraints of our delicate ecosystems. I want to not only ask the important questions, and expand the collective knowledge base through academic research, but be a part of implementing the solutions. This is what drove me in the direction of environmental engineering.

I’m now entering my 4th year as an undergraduate student in Environmental Engineering and am pursuing a concurrent master’s in Environmental Engineering with a focus on air quality.

My current research interests within Dr. Hannigan’s lab focus on the impacts of energy use and its contribution to community-level air pollution exposure.

In a previous research opportunity, through an NSF-funded REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates), I was able to study ambient levels of air toxics near fracking operations in residential Colorado neighborhoods.

I love that here at �� Boulder I have not only been able to develop the technical skills required to achieve my goals but also encourage other young people to learn about environmental issues in their community and pursue careers in STEM.

I recently completed a DLA (Discovery Learning Apprenticeship) designing and piloting a project-based STEM curriculum that leverages a soil quality monitor “s-pod”, newly developed here at �� Boulder in the Hannigan Lab, with the goal of enhancing student engagement in STEM in rural Colorado high schools.

Within this program, and other �� Engineering outreach activities, I have been able to encourage migrant, refugee, and rural young people across Colorado to pursue careers in STEM.

I love that I’m given this opportunity to be that support for students who might not have received the necessary resources or encouragement at their school or at home. Maybe even students like me, who didn’t believe they could be an engineer at first, but absolutely can!

My path to engineering was not straight and narrow.

As a child growing up in Lexington Kentucky, I showed a talent for the arts and a natural curiosity for science. However, for a long time, the latter of my interests was pushed to the back.

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EVEN undergraduate part of summer water reclamation research

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:07:20 +0000

EVEN undergraduate part of summer water reclamation research Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 14:07

Whitney Knopp

Whitney Knopp – an undergraduate in the Environmental Engineering Program – spent her summer creating pasta-shaped 3D-printed plastic for use in water reclamation efforts.

The work is funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and is based in �� Boulder Research Professor John Pellegrino’s Fundamental Membrane Development, Characterization, & Applications lab. The plastic could be used to increase the mixing and crystallization of supersaturated, saline water after it is pumped through a tube during inland water reclamation efforts.

That ability could have lasting implications for water conservation in the west where there are many "impaired" inland water sources. That includes water coming up from underground due to fossil fuel production or excess agricultural drainage for example. Both of which could still have beneficial uses after some treatment. Reverse osmosis desalination can be used to make those and other sources suitable for broad use – potentially easing supply and conservation issues if done economically. However, there is always a "high salt" leftover that must be disposed of during these processes. Knoop’s work is part of an effort to maximize the amount of water available from those kinds of sources and minimize the amount of leftover water that contaminates the environment.

There are many real-world undergraduate student research opportunities in the college through industry, government, and academic partnerships. Find your fit by browsing the programs, or talk to a professor about open positions in their labs.

Whitney Knoop – an undergraduate in the Environmental Engineering Program – spent her summer creating pasta-shaped 3D-printed plastic for use in water reclamation efforts.

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CEAE and EVEN 2020 Live-Streamed Graduation Ceremony Video

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2020 15:09:25 +0000

CEAE and EVEN 2020 Live-Streamed Graduation Ceremony Video Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/19/2020 - 09:09

Congratulations on your Graduation!

The Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department and the Environmental Engineering Program hosted a live-streamed graduation ceremony on May 15, 2020.

More than 350 graduating students, faculty, staff, family and friends attended the ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments.Thank you to all. Special thanks to our featured guest speaker Jonathan Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Wright Water Engineers and to our student speaker Peter Heller, who won the Outstanding Undergraduate Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and from the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Department.

Please find below the Program, the graduation updated slides and the video of the Ceremony.

Go Buffs!

2020 CEAE and EVEN Graduation Ceremony Slides Graduation Program

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hktsu-WEW5w]

The Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department and the Environmental Engineering Program hosted a live-streamed graduation ceremony on May 15, 2020. More than 350 graduating students, faculty, staff, family and friends attended the ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments.

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EVEN student honored as Outstanding Undergraduate for Service

Anonymous — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:32:09 +0000

EVEN student honored as Outstanding Undergraduate for Service Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/08/2020 - 08:32

For environmental engineering major Selena Hinojos, graduating from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences is more than just a personal accomplishment.

“This represents the accomplishments of my parents and supporters along my journey,” she said. “Being a first-generation student, it was my personal duty to do everything my parents never had the chance to do.”

Hinojos paid forward that support many times over in service to her fellow students during her time at �� Boulder, earning her a College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Undergraduate for Service award for spring 2020.

“It was an honor to be chosen as an Outstanding Graduate for Service,” she said. “This award symbolizes the collective time and energy I put into my passions, but overall this award symbolizes the various experiences and opportunities that I am grateful to have been a part of.”

During her time at ��, Hinojos served as a GoldShirt Scholar, supporting the academic success of younger engineering students. As a mentor and Academic Lead Mentor with GoldShirt, she helped welcome and support two new classes of GoldShirt Scholars through their Summer Bridge Program and first academic year. She was also a resident advisor in Aden Hall and the Engineering Quad Living & Learning Community, where GoldShirt scholars and �� Engineering students reside.

Hinojos also worked as an Engineering Ambassador and was involved with the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

“The greatest lesson I learned from my time at �� Boulder is that it doesn't matter what background and experience you have coming into a situation. It is about the grit and passion you have to finish and be better and do better,” she said.

To get the most out of college, Hinojos encourages all students to take a step outside of their comfort zones.

“Based on what I now know, the best piece of advice for other students is to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations, as these experiences allow for the most self-growth and success in your personal and academic life,” she said.

Following graduation, Hinojos will attend Penn State University to pursue a PhD in civil engineering with a water resource focus. To support her studies, she earned Penn State’s Bunton-Waller Assistantship and the Robert W. Graham Endowed Graduate Fellowship.

She got a taste of being a researcher during undergraduate research experiences in Assistant Professor Sherri Cook’s research lab and the Urban Water Innovation Network at CSU.

“I will be investigating the ethical implications of connected critical infrastructure in the food-energy-water nexus,” she said. “From there, I hope to further immerse myself in research centered around climate change and creating a sustainable future.”

Environmental Engineering graduating student Selena Hinojos honored Outstanding Undergraduate for Service by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Student earns NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:02:34 +0000

Student earns NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/28/2020 - 08:02

Environmental engineering major Keani Willebrand has earned a prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Willebrand will receive her BS in environmental engineering next month. She plans to continue her education, pursuing a graduate degree in environmental engineering at Stanford University.

“I feel extremely honored and humbled to have been awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and to have the opportunity to pursue my research passions as I continue into my graduate studies. I believe that the experiences and opportunities I have had over the past four years, notably within the �� Boulder community, have largely contributed to my selection as a fellow.”

Willebrand’s research is focused on alternative water management strategies, including the development of decentralized water treatment technologies and how these technologies may be monitored, managed and adapted remotely to promote long-term resiliency and compliance with regulation.

Decentralized water management systems can collect, treat, dispose of or reuse wastewaters near point-of-use and are increasingly becoming more economically feasible, less prone to accidents, and one of the most promising approaches for improving water management in urban areas. Wetland roofs represent an emerging green infrastructure technology suitable for decentralized water management and the treatment of greywater onsite.

Through this research study, Willebrand plans to develop a set of design guidelines for future wetland roof construction to maximize reclaimed greywater quality and quantity by consideration of wetland roof substrata, vegetation and greywater loading rates.

A long-term monitoring campaign leveraging remote water quality sensors will also provide insight into the treatment efficiency of wetland roofs over long-term exposure to greywater contaminants while further contributing to the broader impact of improving future smart water grid development and management strategies.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship provides fellows with a three-year annual stipend of $34,000, tuition and fee support, and opportunities for professional development.

“In this way, the NSF will be supporting my research aspirations financially as well as supporting my professional development as I continue into my graduate career,” Willebrand said. “The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship will allow for me to continue to grow as a researcher in the field of environmental engineering and will support me in seeing my research aspirations come to fruition.”

Environmental engineering major Keani Willebrand has earned a prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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