2021 Drawdown Scholars Program
Research Symposium
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humankind. Addressing this challenge requires the training of scientists, engineers, educators, and policy makers in the inner workings of the climate system and the development of strategies for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Inspired by the nonprofit organization, Project Drawdown, the Penn State Drawdown Scholars program has brought together undergraduate students from many different disciplines and institutions to work closely with Penn State faculty mentors, staff, and graduate students to advance transformational strategies for reversing global warming. For the past 9 weeks, the Drawdown Scholars have been immersed in contextual systems research of technical, ecological, and social strategies for climate mitigation, as well as local implementation opportunities for specific solutions. We welcome you to the 2021 Virtual Research Symposium and invite you to peruse the website to learn about their findings.
Buildings
Electricity
Food, Agriculture, & Land Use
Health & Education
Industry
Land Sinks
Transportation
Measuring the cellular factors that influence CO2 absorption rates in plants
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Michelle White Bioengineering; Biology University of Pennsylvania Juan Arguijo Agricultural & Biological Engineering University of Arkansas Mentor(s) Charles T. Anderson Department of Biology Project Video...
Analyzing Drainage Effects on Heat Transfer Through a Crumb Rubber Media for Green Roofs
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Travis Peters Chemical Engineering Penn State University Mentor(s) Dr. Shirley Clark Civil Engineering Dr. Farrah Moazeni Civil Engineering Project Video Project Abstract Green roofs are proposed as potential...
Nuclear to Sustainability in the Global South: Applications of a Microreactor in Urban Kenya
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Abigail Idiculla Civil Engineering The Pennsylvania State University Mentor(s) Dr. Melika Sharifironizi The Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering Dr. Jean Paul Allain The Ken and Mary...
A Comparison Study and Optimization of Input Parameters for Thermal Conductivity Testing of Concrete
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Naufal Murtadza Civil Engineering The Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Mentor(s) Dr. Grady Mathews IV Civil Engineering, Penn State Harrisburg Dr. Farshad Rajabipour Civil and Environmental Engineering,...
Evaluating LoRa Radio Communication for Remote Sensing of Water Quality Parameters in Rural Peru
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Andrew Smith Electrical Engineering Pennsylvania State University Dejan Drazenovic Electrical Engineering Pennsylvania State University Mentor(s) Julio Urbina Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Jose...
Enabling Reliable and Resilient Power Grids via Sustainable Energy Units
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Keili Tucker Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology Eduardo Gadiel Diaz Industrial Engineering University of Tennessee, Knoxville Mentor(s) Yan Li College of...
Analyzing Equity in Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Access
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Rob Wolfinbarger Environmental and Ecological Engineering Purdue University Mentor(s) Dr. Elizabeth Traut Larson Transportation Institute Project Video Project Abstract We investigate the location and magnitude...
Enabling Community Resilience in Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Surya Lee Environmental Science & Public Health Willamette University Chantal Reyes Environmental Studies Swarthmore College Mentor(s) Dr. Sandra Allain Design, Justice and Sustainable Lab – DJSD Director,...
Procurement-Related Scope 3 Emissions at Penn State University
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Emily Hagood Materials Science and Engineering Arizona State University Mentor(s) Meghan Hoskins Sustainability Institute David Cullmer Sustainability Institute Shelley McKeague Office of Physical Plant Project...
Impact of Increased Inter-event Periods due to Climate on the Behavior of Metal-ligand Complexes in Stormwater Retention and Filtration Facilities
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Natalie Neptune Civil Engineering Penn State Harrisbug Mentor(s) Shirley Clark Professor of Environmental Engineering; Penn State Harrisburg Faegheh Moazeni Lecturer; Lehigh University Lauren McPhillips...
Estimating the greenhouse gas emissions of buildings and transportation in an academic library
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Abbie La Porta Architectural Engineering Penn State University Hudson Wagner Energy Engineering Penn State University Mentor(s) Ben Goldman University Libraries Project Video Project Abstract According to the...
Quantifying Equity in Late Night Transit Access for Shift Workers
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Rebecca Levy Sustainable Urban Environments New York University, Tandon School of Engineering Mentor(s) Dr. Elizabeth Traut Larson Transportation Institute, College of Engineering Project Video Project Abstract...
Affordable Solar Powered Cooling for Selected Low-Income Communities​
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Shalom Nthenya Mulinge Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering The Pennsylvania State University Kiarat Eduardo Vidal Rodriguez Architecture, Italian Studies The Pennsylvania State University Mentor(s) Esther...
Nuclear to Sustainability in Kenya
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Brady Dye Physics, Political Science Howard University Mentor(s) Jean Paul Allain Nuclear Engineering Melika Sharifironizi Nuclear Engineering Project Video Project Abstract As of 2016, about 13% of the global...
Assessing Penn State University’s Scope 3 GHG Emissions
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Anthony Figueroa Environmental and Architecture Studies Middlebury College Mentor(s) Meghan E. Hoskins Analysis and Planning Consultant, Sustainability Institute Shelley McKeague Office of the Physical Plant...
Colombia’s Future in Nuclear Energy
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Mariana Duarte Computer Science California State University, Monterey Bay Sherin Khoygani Civil and Environmental Engineering UCLA Mentor(s) Jean Paul Allain Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear...
Building an informed sustainability community in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and beyond
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Katherine Gannon Environmental Resources Engineering SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Mentor(s) Sarah Sharkey College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Ronald Wasco College of Earth and Mineral...
The Uncertain Promise of Renewables and the Case for Nuclear Energy in a Low-Carbon Future
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Skye Hawthorne Earth & Environmental Science Major, Data Analysis Minor Wesleyan University Mentor(s) Dr. Melika Sharifironizi Department of Nuclear Engineering Dr. Jean Paul Allain Department of Nuclear...
Nutrient Recovery and Upcycling with Duckweed: a Strategy for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Dairy Farms
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Louise Shaffer Chemical Engineering Penn State University Mentor(s) Dr. Rachel Brennan Civil and Environmental Engineering Project Video Project Abstract The world’s growing population will require food...
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Energy Audits
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Jaeden Mayzel Environmental Systems Engineering Penn State University Park Mentor(s) Dr. R. Allen Kimel Material Sciences and Engineering Dr. Timothy White Earth and Environmental Systems Institute Project Video...
Pumping Mechanisms for Flowing Electrolyte Metal Batteries
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Keane Farias Mechanical Engineering Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Mentor(s) Dr. Chris Rahn Department of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Rong Kou Department of Mechanical Engineering Mihir Parekh Department of...
Using sanitary wastewater as an early indicator of COVID-19 cases in Derry Township, Pennsylvania
Project TeamVideoAbstract Poster Project Team Student(s) Sabina Dahal Biology Penn State Harrisburg Mentor(s) Dr. Shirley Clark Department of Environmental Engineering Dr. Heather Preisendanz Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Kathryn Rose Hayden...