Category: Spotlights

Announcing the FY20 GradSWE Individual and Group Awards

5/4/2020

We are excited and honored to announce the FY20 awardees of the GradSWE Group and Individual Awards! The purpose of these awards is 1) to recognize outstanding groups and individuals who embody the SWE Core Values and 2) to encourage greater participation of graduate students in SWE Societal Awards. Congratulations to our FY20 Awardees!

FY20 GradSWE Outstanding Individuals
Ayumi Manawadu, Washington State University
Amy Zheng, Vanderbilt University

FY20 Outstanding Grad Group: New
University of Arkansas

FY20 Outstanding Grad Group: Established
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

To learn more about these groups and individuals, keep an eye out for Spotlight articles here on the blog all this week!

For more information about GradSWE, contact Cecilia at grad-coordinator@swe.org.

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Graduate Member Spotlight: Manali Sunil Zantye

4/20/2020

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Manali Sunil Zantye
PhD Expected 2022
Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University

Introducing another finalist in the SWE Graduate Rapid Fire Competition at WE19, Manali Sunil Zantye! After meeting so many amazing women at the conference, Manali has been inspired to join GradSWE at Texas A&M, and contribute to the organization’s efforts in promoting women’s involvement in engineering and technology.

Manali received the third prize among the top 10 finalists in the Rapid Fire Competition at WE19. She was also among the top 46 invited student presenters from all over the country selected to present their research at the 2018 C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium, which is a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy, Texas A&M University, MIT, and Stanford University. During her undergraduate education, she received the Bronze Medal for third highest GPA among the 2015 graduating class of 600+ students. To recognize her academic excellence, she was also awarded the university’s merit scholarship for 3 consecutive years during her undergrad.

Manali’s research thesis topic is Reduction of Environmental Footprint of Energy Generation Systems through Process Systems Engineering and Optimization. The objective of her research is to develop solutions to decarbonize electricity grids and make energy generation more sustainable. She is using process systems engineering and the underlying optimization concepts to improve sustainability of energy generation systems without compromising on the profitability aspect. To this end, she is working on several applications including: i) making CO2 capture operation in fossil-fueled power plants economically viable using scheduling, ii) developing optimal reaction networks to convert the captured CO2 to value-added fuels and chemicals, iii) optimal design of energy storage technologies to increase intermittent renewable energy integration in the grid. Moreover, there exist several factors contributing to uncertainty in electricity grids, such as dynamic electricity demand and prices, unpredictable renewable energy availability. Her research seeks to design and schedule energy systems operation under such uncertainty while reducing emissions.

After graduation, Manali aims to continue pursuing her passion towards decarbonizing global energy supply chains to lessen the consequences of rising energy needs. Her goal is to leverage her knowledge and experience to address the global energy challenges through a research and development role in the energy industry.

Outside of work, Manali enjoys reading, painting and movies. Fun fact: She is an ambivert! She can be very social and outgoing or reserved depending on the situation.

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Graduate Member Spotlight: Mattie Eckerstrom

4/3/2020

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Mattie Eckerstrom
University of Rochester
MS, Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2020

We are excited to introduce our 2020 Graduate Programming Coordinator Elect, Mattie Eckerstrom! Mattie’s previous SWE experience includes serving as SWENext DesignLab Subcommittee Liaison on the WE Local Baltimore Local Host Committee (LHC) and Sponsorship Subcommittee Liaison on the WE Local Buffalo LHC. During summer 2019, she worked at SWE HQ in Chicago, helping to organize the middle school and high school programming for WE19 as the Student Programs Intern. Mattie is finishing her MS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester (UR).

Across campus, Mattie has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar and with a Research and Innovation Grant and Alice DeSimone Student Life Award. She was also awarded the Donald M. Barnard Prize, which is given to an engineering senior on the basis of achievement and strong personal qualities.

After graduation Mattie plans to work in industry. Her goal is to apply her chemical engineering and materials science background to solving big problems and making the world a better place. Ideally she wants to work in the environmental sector or for a materials company.

Mattie’s hobbies include horseback riding and playing the clarinet. She has been an active equestrian for 15+ years and was a member of the University of Rochester Equestrian Team for all 4 years of undergrad, serving as Captain her junior year and President her senior year. She is also involved in the UR Pep Band, of which she was President for 3 years, and the UR Wind Symphony. At home, she enjoys reading, crocheting, cooking, and spending time with her bunny, Lola.

Fun Fact: Mattie has her motorcycle license! In the warmer months, she enjoys going for rides on her Harley Davidson Sportster 883.

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Announcing the FY20 GradSWE Individual and Group Awards

Graduate Member Spotlight: Manali Sunil Zantye

Graduate Member Spotlight: Mattie Eckerstrom

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