Fall2023AwardWinners

Gesse Roure — Outstanding Dissertation Award

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 22:38:56 +0000

Gesse Roure — Outstanding Dissertation Award Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/06/2023 - 15:38

Susan Glairon

PhD, Chemical Engineering, 2023

Dissertation Name: Microhydrodynamics of Droplets and Particles: Applications in Microfluidics and Agglomeration

Defended: July, 2023

Associated lab: Davis Group

Advisors: Distinguished Professor Robert H. Davis and Alexander Zinchenko, senior research associate

Current position: Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Missouri

College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Dissertation Award
This award recognizes the best dissertation (excellence of research, topical importance and presentation in the written dissertation) among students completing PhD degree requirements during a calendar year.

As a student from Brazil, how did you choose CU Boulder for your graduate studies?
Multiple factors influenced my decision to come to CU. Firstly, having already completed a master's in a related field, I was familiar with the previous works of Rob (Davis) and Alex (Zinchenko), and that was my primary motivation for choosing CU for my graduate studies. Besides that, the high-quality research conducted across various departments, particularly in Chemical and Biological Engineering, closely matched my academic interests. The appealing town atmosphere, as confirmed during my time in Boulder, solidified my decision, making it an easy choice.

What does receiving this award mean to you?
I am deeply honored to receive this outstanding dissertation award, which, for me, is the culmination of several years of hard work and diligence, as it not only represents the acknowledgement of my previous work, but also serves as a source of motivation for my future academic pursuits.

Tell me more about your research.
My dissertation explores the fascinating world of tiny-scale flows in science and engineering, especially focusing on two key challenges. First, we examined a sustainable method for capturing small particles in fluids using special droplets that slowly grow over time. The study reveals that the swelling of these droplets significantly improves particle capture efficiency, which is very useful for filtration, waste treatment and mineral recovery. In the second portion of the dissertation, the research focuses on the movement of tiny droplets in microchannels, which has applications ranging from medical diagnostic devices to targeted drug delivery. The findings include innovative approaches for shaping droplets and inducing effective mixing in microreactors, showcasing the potential for advancements in diverse microfluidic technologies. Overall, this work offers valuable insights into small-scale phenomena with broad applications across various scientific and engineering fields.

Why does this research topic interest you?
One thing that has always caught my attention is the ubiquitousness of fluids in nature. From the motion of hurricanes to the cytoplasm inside of a bacterium, there is always something flowing. The broad applications and interdisciplinary nature of fluid dynamics research are what specifically sparked my interest in this subject, as it offers a diverse range of opportunities to explore and understand various phenomena, making it an exciting and dynamic field.

Image above: Transport inside a droplet in a microfluidic trap subjected to an external tri-axial extensional flow.

Gesse Roure (PhD ChemEngr'23) received the CEAS Oustanding Dissertation Award; his research explores tiny-scale flows, with applications in waste treatment, mineral recovery, medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery.

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Ashish Srivastava — Outstanding Undergraduate of the College

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 23:02:39 +0000

Ashish Srivastava — Outstanding Undergraduate of the College Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/04/2023 - 16:02

Susan Glairon

Major: Chemical and Biological Engineering
Post-graduation plans: Engineering data scientist at Monolith, a green-tech startup, focusing on plasma pyrolysis and turquoise hydrogen production

Ashish Srivastava recently received the following two awards from the CU Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Academic Engagement Award
This award recognizes undergraduate students engaged with academics to an extent that elevates their own and/or others’ learning experiences.

Outstanding Undergraduate of the College
This overall award recognizes one undergraduate student who has maximized their educational experience in a holistic way, with accomplishment across several of the individual thematic award areas.

Ashish Srivastava (center) with Assistant Professor Kayla Sprenger (right) and Professor Rob Davis (left) after Srivastava delivered a guest lecture for CHEN 3210 – Heat and Mass Transfer.

Ashish Srivastava sits in a colorful art installation at Meow Wolf in Denver.

What is your favorite memory from your time at CU Boulder?
In spring 2020, I served as a course assistant for the CHEN fluid mechanics course under Professor Dan Schwartz. During that time, he offered me an opportunity to contribute more to the exam review process. I dug up my old exam review notes and whipped up four Zoom lectures, one for each exam. Initially it was just a fun little activity to create a Khan Academy-style video, but after the exam was over I received emails from three students expressing how much the videos genuinely helped them while studying. That was a peak of my undergraduate career.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?
Academically, I'm incredibly proud of the opportunity to deliver a full lecture alongside Professor Sprenger for the CHEN 3210 – Heat and Mass Transfer class she taught with Professor Davis. It was a significant highlight of my undergraduate journey, and I even framed the lecture notes as a memento.

On a personal note, I take immense pride in the remarkable individuals I've had the privilege of meeting during my time at CU, as well as the wonderful friends who have become an integral part of my life. Their exceptional dedication, achievements and unwavering kindness continually inspire me to aim higher in my own pursuits.

Tell us about a moment (or moments) when you felt like you hit your stride or felt like you were “officially” an engineer.
The moment I truly felt like I was a real engineer was during my internship at Monolith. I was assigned to create a model for a part of our process where it was uncertain if modeling was even feasible. By the end of the internship, I was able to create a model that was robust and accurate enough that they put it directly into production before my last day.

What was the biggest challenge for you during your engineering education? What did you learn from it?
The most significant challenge I encountered during my engineering education was navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While studying synchronously from abroad in Romania, I had to adjust to a nocturnal schedule and couldn't spend time with my family. My daily routine revolved around alternating between my desk and my bed. Fortunately, the strong sense of community I shared with fellow students in the Global Engineering RAP (Residential Academic Program) and chem/bio engineering programs were a lifeline. We created playlists, stayed connected through group chats and studied together over Zoom, which helped us maintain our sanity. COVID-19 was a tough ordeal for everyone, but it taught me the immense value of having a supportive network to lean on during challenging times.

What is your advice for incoming engineering students?
Make sure to maintain your interests and hobbies outside of engineering! The program is a marathon, not a sprint, so take care not to burn out — you’re in it for the long haul. Pay attention to your sleep, it’s extremely easy to spiral into poor sleeping habits. And finally, make sure you continue to read and write, as strong communication skills will take you much further than you might think.

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Ashish Srivastava is most academically proud of delivering a guest lecture for CHEN 3210 – Heat and Mass Transfer, a course co-taught by Assistant Professor Kayla Sprenger and Professor Bob Davis. Srivastava won both a CEAS Academic Engagement and an Outstanding Undergraduate of the College award.

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Katayoun Jamei — Academic Engagement Award

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:46:34 +0000

Katayoun Jamei — Academic Engagement Award Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/04/2023 - 12:46

Susan Glairon

Katayoun Jamei worked as a cardiac nurse in the operating room while simultaneously completing her BS degree.

Major: Chemical and Biological Engineering

Post-graduation plans: to transition from a cardiac registered nurse in the operating room to a remote position in clinical research or bioinformatics, or a role that merges biological engineering with data analysis.

Academic Engagement Award
This award recognizes undergraduate students engaged with academics to an extent that elevates their own and/or others’ learning experiences.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?
One of my most significant achievements of which I am extremely proud is my capacity to function as a registered nurse while simultaneously pursuing coursework at CU Boulder. This opportunity was a testament to my organizational capabilities, as I was able to proficiently manage multiple responsibilities. However, during my engineering studies, this presented a significant hurdle, and I frequently encountered burnout. I've come to realize that prioritizing self-care is crucial, especially when facing heavy workloads.

Tell us about a moment (or moments) when you felt like you hit your stride or felt like you were “officially” an engineer.
I felt like a true engineer as a teaching assistant for Process Design and Simulation (CHEN4520) and Introduction to Computation for Engineers (CHEN1310). These opportunities allowed me to put the knowledge I had acquired from these courses into practice by assisting other students in comprehending the course material. The most fulfilling part of this position was witnessing the moment students grasped a concept that had previously eluded them.

What is your advice for incoming engineering students?
Achieving success requires a strong work ethic, but you must also remember to care for yourself. Working towards a harmonious balance between your professional and personal life can pave the way for greater success and fulfillment. It's essential to focus on building physical and mental resilience to overcome the challenges that come your way. While fulfilling your obligations is vital, taking time for yourself can help you recharge and perform at your best. After all, life is about balance.

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Katayoun Jamei worked as a cardiac nurse in the operating room while simultaneously completing her BS degree. Despite the challenges of simultaneously working and completing a BS degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Jamei is the recipient of a CEAS Academic Engagement Award.

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