Research
Gold Experience
Long-Term Effects of the Clean Air Act: Thermodynamic Modeling of Aerosols and Aerosol pH in Baltimore, Maryland
In summer 2020, I participated in a funded research experience through the UMBC McNair Scholar Program's Scholar Research Institute. My research revolved around aerosol thermodynamic modeling, specifically examining trends in aerosol concentrations and aerosol pH in Baltimore, MD. While this experience did not make a direct contribution to my Grand Challenge, I do hope to go to graduate school and obtain a Ph.D., allowing me to stay involved involved in academia as a researcher and an educator.
This experience gave me a clearer idea of what research I may want to pursue in graduate school. While I am still interested in going to graduate school for Environmental Engineering, I do not think aerosols and air quality research will be my focus. I also believe that conducting research remotely taught me that I really value the "hands-on" aspect of research, so that will be something I am seeking in graduate school!
Design and Fabrication of a Housing for a Low-Cost, Wearable Particulate Matter Sensor
In spring 2020, I also participated in the UMBC McNair Scholar Program's Scholar Research Institute. The goal of this research project was to design a housing for a wearable particulate matter sensor. The housing itself was to be 3D printed to reduce cost and make the device more accessible to the target demographic of pediatric asthma patients. The eventual goal of this research was the creation of a low cost, wearable sensor that would alert the wearer when they were entering an area with heavy particulate matter concentrations.Â
While this experience was cut a bit short due to the pandemic, I definitely learned a lot of valuable skills such as how to create a design in a CAD program and how to use a 3D printer. This experience was also my first time presenting at a conference; I was able to deliver a poster presentation at UMBC URCAD. Working outside my department helped me view what I have to offer as a Mechanical Engineering student, especially when it comes to collaborating on an interdisciplinary project.