Environmental Engineering Selected Student Projects

Christopher Brenneck ’08

“Microbial Fuel Cell Design and Operation” Chris studied the use of microbial fuel cells for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater (BOD removal) and generation of electricity. Over the course of his project, he designed several microbial fuel cell combinations.
Chris is currently employed as an environmental engineer with Resources Control in Rhode Island.
 

Steven Daunais ’07

“Dam Removal: Effects on the Neponset River Watershed”
Steve investigated fourteen dams as candidates for potential removal along the Neponset River and selected two dams for detailed analysis.  The removal of selected dams would allow the re-establishment of longer fish runs and other beneficial aquatic ecosystem effects. A methodology for removal was described along with cost estimates for the removal operations.
Today, Steve is working for Tata and Howard a water and wastewater systems consulting firm in Massachusetts as an environmental engineer.
 

Stergia Georgacopoulos ’06

“Monitoring Program for a Local Pond”
Stergia collected preliminary water quality data for a local area pond and developed a proposed water quality monitoring and assessment plan for the pond.
Today, Stergia is employed as a health and safety engineer for a polymer plant start-up in Connecticut.
 

Erin Trainor ’05

“Restoring the Neponset Ecosystem through the Dam and Impoundment Assessment Project”
Erin collaborated with the Neponset River Watershed Association to assess dam removal and restoration options.  Focusing on the East Branch of the Neponset River, she determined which dam(s) would be candidates for removal by developing dam removal selection criteria.  The primary candidate for removal was chosen based on how it impacted safety and environmental issues in the area.
Today, Erin is working as a Project Geologist at ATC Associates.
 

Ricardi Duvil, ’04

"Cold Water Fisheries Analysis on the Neponset River"
Ricardi Duvil completed a project involving cold water fisheries.  Using existing data from a brook classified as a cold water fishery, he collected dissolved oxygen and temperature data from two brooks in Walpole and Quincy, MA to determine whether they should classified as cold water fisheries.
Today, Ricardi is a environmental health and safety engineer at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
 

Demetra Barlas ’03

“Conversion of Water to Hydrogen”
Demetra and partner Juliana Martinez (Physics ’03) presented a poster of the paper “Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Energy Alternative for Transportation” at the Air and Waste Management Association’s 96th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, June 22-26, 2003, San Deigo, California.  The paper was written in collaboration with Francis Sagan, Dr. Walter Johnson, Dr. Tom Naderi, Dr. Oktay Demir, Dr. Eugene Rodin, Sebastian Ganly, and German Garcia.  Demetra received a Certificate of Appreciation for her presentation.
Today, Demetra is the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at Alkermes, Inc., one of the world’s leading drug delivery companies.