Student Engagement

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“As a PhD student in the MIT Portugal program at Instituto Superior Técnico, Karol Bot presented at our 2017 workshop in The Netherlands. Karol is now a Research Fellow investigating optimization of low energy buildings and renewable energies.”

Name: Karol Bot
Year: 2017
University: Instituto Superior Técnico
Program: PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems – MIT Portugal Program
Career path: Research Fellow investigating optimization of low energy buildings and renewable energies

“I continue to work in my Ph.D. research area, on which I made a presentation about at the 2015 workshop in Madrid, now as a Postdoctoral Researcher, at the Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland.”

Name: Gonçalo Mendes
Year of Workshop Attended: 2015
University Attended: Instituto Superior Técnico
Program of Study: MIT Portugal – Sustainable Energy Systems
Current Career Path: I continued working in my Ph.D. research area (on which I made a presentation about at the Madrid workshop), now as a Postdoctoral Researcher, at the Lappeenranta University of Technology, in Finland.

“I participated and presented in the 2016 workshop as a student attendee. I really gained insight into international environmental challenges and solutions. Another key aspect of this workshop for me was the people I met, both the students and the other professionals.
I have gained collaborative relationships that both help my PhD dissertation work and strengthen knowledge in the environmental and sustainability area.”

Name: Shelia S. Neumann, PhD
Year of Workshop Attended: 2016
University Attended: University of Texas at Arlington
Program of Study: Environmental Engineering

“I had great experiences with both workshops and I gained tremendous knowledge that will help me further my career with renewable energies. I sincerely hope that the workshops will continue in order for other students to have the same opportunities that my group and I had. We were lucky enough to attend two workshops with our project. I remember that I was extremely nervous the first day at JPL in the fall of 2016. It took me about one hour with the group before I realized that there was nothing to be nervous about. The workshop was very well organized and everyone was included in discussions and presentations. The workshops helped me grow in many ways and I gained friendships that will last a lifetime. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I had to attend both workshops.”

Name: Julie McCarthy
Year of Workshop Attended: 2016 and 2017
University Attended: Florida Institute of Technology
Program of Study: Ocean Engineering
Current Career Path: Pursuing a masters at Florida Institute of Technology before I will go back to Norway to work with renewable energies.

“I had the privilege of attending the 2016 and 2017 International Workshop on Environment and Alternative Energy. I was accepted to present my senior design project that I have been working on at Florida Institute of Technology. In December of 2017 I will graduate with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. I am currently applying for jobs at reputable engineering companies for after my graduation.”

Name: Alexander Ortiz
Year of Workshop Attended: 2016 and 2017
University Attended: Florida Institute of Technology
Program of Study: Ocean Engineering

Name: Ebrahim
Years of Workshop Attended: 2016 & 2017
University: Florida Institute of Technology
Program Study: B.Sc in Ocean Engineering
Current Career Path: Focused to pursue Master’s program in Industrial Engineering specializing in Energy Systems
My Experience: “My team and I were fortunate enough to attend the workshop twice, at NASA JPL in California and ESTECH in Netherlands. We presented our senior design Project MWED at the workshop which we believe was one of the potential solutions for Alternative Energy. The workshop helped me to develop professionalism. It helped me to make my public speaking skills better. I learned to answer one to one Questions and Answers confidently. It gave me a networking opportunity to interact with highly talented and professional people from different countries. I learned about wonderful projects presented by the students and professionals that were inspiring. It was a learning experience for me. I would like to thank Michelle Lamb and Merrilee Fellows for giving me this amazing opportunity to present my skills and abilities at the workshop.”