Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Mahdi Safa, Civil Engineering

Cyrus is dedicated to combating climate change by developing economically feasible solutions that leverage existing energy transmission and production infrastructure. He holds a patent-pending status for an invention in the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) industry, which he intends to refine and commercialize while pursuing his degree at the University of Houston. His research focuses on the use of nickel-based catalysts, aiming to evaluate their performance and scalability in capturing emissions directly from their source. The captured emissions are then converted into hydrocarbons through a process known as methanation or hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. This process produces methane, a versatile compound with potential applications across various industries.

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Minor: Data Science

Mentor: Xin Fu, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sama combines a background in biomedical engineering with a fervent interest in environmental science to pioneer solutions in marine conservation. Engaging with cutting-edge research in computer vision, Sama's current focus is on enhancing underwater image processing. Through the innovative WaterGAN project, they aim to revolutionize real-time color correction techniques, contributing to the preservation and understanding of marine ecosystems. Sama's dedication to applying advanced technology for environmental challenges exemplifies a commitment to bridging the gap between human innovation and the natural world. Their work stands to offer invaluable insights into subaquatic research, potentially aiding in global efforts to monitor and protect our oceans' delicate biodiversity.

Major: Biochemistry

Minor: Chemistry

Mentor: Thomas Teets, Chemistry

Kianna's research focuses on the synthesis of N-Heterocyclic carbene copper complexes. These complexes are known as photosensitizers, which have the ability to absorb specific wavelengths of light and convert it to a chemical potential such as electricity or the driving force of a reaction. Kianna's main goal is to synthesize an alternative to costly iridium-containing photosensitizers currently on the market. These complexes can then be placed in solar cells to generate solar energy. Kianna is excited to learn more about research in inorganic chemistry and plans to attend medical school after earning her bachelor's degree.

Major: Finance

Mentor: Raul Susmel, Finance

Amaan's research investigates carbon futures trading dynamics within the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), focusing on Intercontinental Exchange Inc.'s European Climate Exchange (ECX) in London. By analyzing 40 months of intraday trading data, he aims to illuminate the relationship between liquidity and market efficiency. Key liquidity metrics include relative bid-ask spread and traded spread, indicative of market ease and depth. By correlating liquidity variations with market efficiency, measured through intraday return predictability, Amaan hopes to develop a better understanding of how emission markets function and understand whether such methods to reduce climate change have been working.

Major: Physics

Minor: Art

Mentor: Devin Shaffer, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tristan is working on creating a covalent organic framework membrane with a lithium selective chemistry. The purpose of this project is to find a more environmentally friendly method for lithium extraction using a membrane filtration rather than mining in order to aid in the global effort towards the clean energy transition which relies heavily on lithium batteries. Tristan's goals following this project include applying to graduate school for astrophysics. They not only have worked as a teaching assistant and office worker for teachHOUSTON but also are currently earning their teaching certificate. Additionally, Tristan is the student manager of the undergraduate student instrument project in the Physics department.

Major: Petroleum Engineering

Minor: Mathematics

Mentor: Lori Hathon, Petroleum Engineering

Hamza's research focuses on carbon capture for CO2 storage by changing the velocity with CO2 saturation as a function of changing porosity and compaction state with different samples. Hamza is also a former intern for Saudi Aramco and was one of the first American students to participate in a semester-long exchange program at King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for future educational exchange opportunities for American students.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Nicolas Jacobsen, Energy and Sustainability (Honors)

Olivia is working with the company Nuru to explore sustainable energy solutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nuru works to increase energy access in the DRC through the deployment of solar mini-grids and solar hybrid sites. Currently their grids remain reliant on diesel generators in times of low solar production. In her research, Olivia will conduct feasibility studies in an attempt to find an alternative source of backup energy generation which is profitable, reliable, and sustainable. This project hopes to put forward an analysis of how a company may integrate multiple sources of renewable energy to decrease the region's dependence on fossil fuels in a way that is environmentally friendly and economically viable.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Dimitrios Kalliontzis, Civil and Environmental Engineering

As a kid, David had always been interested in mechanical objects and how they work. Under Dr. Kalliontzis and his team, he is able to explore this interest even further with wave energy converters. Wave energy converters are devices deployed in the ocean that can convert the motion of the waves into electrical energy. David's research objective is to design and optimize a gearbox to be used with the wave energy converter developed by Dr. Kalliontzis and his team. Following this program, David hopes to apply his research skills toward an internship in the engineering field.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Bo Zhao, Mechanical Engineering

Photonic crystals are utilized in a variety of applications including optimizing incident light capture onto photovoltaic cells, enhancing fiber-optic data transfer in the communications industry, and propelling light sails into deep space. Using his past experience, Michael is constructing a Physics Informed Neural Network (PINN) based on an optimization toolchain to support research in the space of photonic crystal layers. Under the guidance of Prof. Zhao, the PINN will be developed to embrace the breadth of the design needs associated with the technology of photonic crystal layers. The goal of the research project is to supply a general tool that will contribute to the advancement of photonic crystal layer optimizations.

Major: Chemical Engineering

Minor: Phronesis

Mentor: Alex Landon, Honors Engineering Program

Funmilola is interested in clean energy and energy-related international public policy. She ultimately aims to attend law school and work in the energy industry, with a focus on implementing sustainable energy practices globally. Her project focuses on the intersection of energy technology and economic policy, using the United States and her home country of Nigeria as model countries to study how carbon emissions interact with economic development. Her research will also provide energy transition strategies that take their economic health and pre-existing natural resources into consideration. She aims to use climate change frameworks to recommend future strategies for reducing carbon emissions.

Major: Architecture

Mentor: Mili Kyropoulou, Architecture

As architecture shifts toward using more passive heating and cooling strategies, a thorough investigation into the "thermal comfort" model is necessary. In his research, Cameron is investigating semi-outdoor spaces and how they affect people's mind and body. He want to know if less energy can be used on sealed buildings while feeling better at the same time and if positive benefits associated with being outdoors outweigh the feelings of discomfort. In the future, Cameron hopes to expand upon his research by working a local residential architecture office to implement his ideas.

Major: Mathematics

Minor: Geology

Mentor: Wenshuang Wang, Mathematics

Maryam's project focuses on solving real-world problems using techniques from her background in data science and analytics. Heatwaves in Texas are becoming extremely severe due to climate change as seen in 2023. The surge in demand for power during these conditions increases as residents run their air conditioning, at the same time the need for renewable resources increases as well, putting more pressure on the grid system. Maryam's project focuses on the effects of extreme heat events on renewable energy resources like solar and wind. This will help determine how renewable resources like wind and solar are affected by such weather conditions and ultimately help to stabilize the Texas grid system and combat the effects of future climate change.

Major: Environmental Sciences

Minor: Psychology

Mentor: Bernhard Rappenglueck, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Alexa has a passion for environmental protection and conservation. Her research focuses on how gaseous elemental mercury concentrations fluctuate in the atmosphere, which includes taking measurements on top of the Moody Towers dormitory building. By testing different methods for field sampling in various places suspected to emit mercury, Alexa aims to better identify sources of gaseous elemental mercury in Houston. Alexa's project will prepare her for a future career in environmental sciences and raise awareness of major sources of pollution in Houston.

Major: Civil Engineering

Mentor: Dr. Siavash Zamira, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Patrick is a nontraditional student with over 10 years of construction experience. He enrolled in the HCC/UH Engineering Academy of Katy in 2021 and transferred to UH in Fall 2023. Patrick has a passion for learning and figuring out how engineering and construction projects are designed and built. He likes to participate in extracurricular activities that apply the knowledge learned in the classroom, including the Energy Scholars Program and the Texas Space Grant Consortium Outside of classes Patrick enjoys reading novels, hiking, and participating in sports.

Major: Supply Chain Management, Logistics Technology

Mentor: Siavash Zamiran

Parsa is dedicated to pioneering sustainable energy solutions, including HydroDiesel+® among various alternatives. His research is crucial in boosting energy efficiency, minimizing emissions, and revealing economic potentials within the sustainable fuel sector. By delving into HydroDiesel+® and other sustainable energy case studies, Parsa aims to significantly diminish the environmental footprint of energy production. His work encompasses enhancing diesel engine performance, exploring efficient supply chain models, and contributing to a lower-carbon economy. Parsa's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development guides his work to address global energy needs, aiming to drive economic growth while fostering environmental sustainability.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Business Leadership and Management

Mentor: Mahdi Safa, Civil Engineering

David's research attempts to mitigate carbon emissions from liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage. Specifically, he aims to create an autonomous system that uses flora and an array of sensors that will integrate directly to LNG storage vessels, thereby making LNG an even more environmentally friendly energy source. In addition to his Energy Scholars project, David has been working with NASA to develop a novel device to extract water from the Lunar and Martian surfaces since 2020. He has interned with NASA three times since Summer 2020 and hopes to work at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center after graduating with his bachelor's degree.

Major: Global Hospitality Leadership

Minor: Energy and Sustainability

Mentor: Yoon Koh

Emily's research focuses on the cruise industry and identifying the sustainable practices that cruise companies around the world have reported in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. Emily is passionate about promoting sustainability and is intrigued to know the extent of environmental impact a cruise ship can have. Her goal is to identify the major CSR themes that cruise companies report and compare them among cruise companies from different continents. Emily hopes to use her experiences during this project to implement sustainable practices in the cruise industry, or other sectors of the hospitality industry.