2024 Posters

I have a background in sustainability planning, program management, cross-sector innovation, and data management. As a Project Portfolio Manager, I support budget management, status tracking, leadership updates, and intra-office processes and coordination. Prior to my current position, I led data collection and analysis for the Office of Sustainability. Before joining UW-Madison, I led pilot project development for City Tech Collaborative, a Chicago-based non-profit focused on developing new technology to improve city services and resident lives. I received a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Conservation Biology from Boston University. I also hold a Project Management Professional Certification.

Allison Kittinger is the Open Source Program Office Manager in the Data Science Institute at UW-Madison.

Anupreksha is an entomology graduate student at UW-Madison, where she works with Dr. James Crall on global change and pollination ecology in agroecosystems. Her research uses computer vision based tools to investigate the mechanistic effects of anthropogenic stressors such as pesticide exposure and drought on pollinator behavior, health, and efficacy. She is originally from India, and earned a BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. She is passionate about building community across departments and universities to facilitate interdisciplinary understanding of complex socio-ecological issues.

Originally from Lumberport, West Virginia, Ashley completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Pure Mathematics from West Virginia University. During her studies in the Control, Optimization, and Design for Energy and Sustainability (CODES) Research Group, she developed algorithms that leverage existing land infrastructure and locational weather factors to propose and analyze the siting of potential renewable power plants in Appalachia. Additionally, Ashley has experience in industrial R&D engineering consulting, having developed advanced process control techniques and led design of experiments for a variety of client processes. In Fall 2023, Ashley began pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, and joined both the Circular Economy Systems Engineering Group and the Scalable Systems Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her current research focuses on multi-scale modeling and optimization of power grid electricity market participation for decarbonizing devices in the chemical sector.

Audrey Stanton is a PhD student in the Environment and Resources program at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Her research interests include campus sustainability, sustainability education, and life cycle assessment. As a project assistant with the Office of Sustainability, Audrey supports the undergraduate internship program, Green Fund, and campus sustainability map. Audrey received an Environment and Resources M.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an Environmental and Sustainability Sciences B.S. from Cornell University. In her free time, Audrey enjoys trips to the local farmers’ markets, exploring Madison’s natural areas, and cooking delicious dinners with friends.

I am a second year PhD student in the CBE department working as a Huber group member here at UW-Madison. Before arriving at graduate school, I got my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas. My research is on sustainable catalysis with a focus on plastic upcycling. Outside of the lab I really enjoy playing pickleball, and I am looking forward to trying skiing for the first time this coming winter.

Bryn Scriver is part of a small team that helps manage the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. She is responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteers in land management work as well as promoting the Preserve through the Preserve website, social media, and newsletter. She has a M.S. in Land Resources from the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and 20 years of land management experience.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Events Team 2024-2025 cohort consists of six student interns: Giann Benedict Abang studying Community and Environmental Sociology; Jordyn Czyzewski studying Landscape and Urban Studies, People-Environment Geography, and Environmental Studies; Julia Fechner studying Community & Environmental Sociology and Landscape & Urban Studies; Brynne Hill studying Environmental Studies and Spanish; Ian Patch studying Finance, Investment, & Banking, Risk Management & Insurance, and Environmental Studies; Bailey Tomsich studying Electrical Engineering. As interns, our goal is to equip and educate UW–Madison employees to incorporate sustainable practices into their workspaces, fostering a campus community committed to meaningful sustainability.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Intern Green Labs team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Bailey Tomsich, studying Electrical Engineering; Chandler Wells, studying Environmental Sciences & Life Sciences Communication; Audrey Davies, studying Environmental Studies & Political Science; Caroline Arciszewski, studying Environmental Sciences; Ian Patch, studying Finance, Investment, and Banking, Risk Management and Insurance, & Environmental Studies; Vibha Srinivasan, studying Economics. As interns, we provide consultation services to UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff through information and tools they need to better understand the impacts of their practices and create healthy and sustainable laboratory environments.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Green Office Team 2024-2025 cohort consists of six student interns: Giann Benedict Abang studying Community and Environmental Sociology; Jordyn Czyzewski studying Landscape and Urban Studies, People-Environment Geography, and Environmental Studies; Julia Fechner studying Community & Environmental Sociology and Landscape & Urban Studies; Brynne Hill studying Environmental Studies and Spanish; Ian Patch studying Finance, Investment, & Banking, Risk Management & Insurance, and Environmental Studies; Bailey Tomsich studying Electrical Engineering. As interns, our goal is to equip and educate UW–Madison employees to incorporate sustainable practices into their workspaces, fostering a campus community committed to meaningful sustainability.

Jenny is a third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently using X-ray/neutron scattering and spectroscopy to probe the nanostructure and ion correlation of polymer electrolytes under the supervision of Prof. Whitney Loo. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2020) and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (2022) at National Taiwan University. During her undergraduate studies, she did internship in Performance Materials division at BASF, working on plastics market. She is interested in applying polymers into sustainable energy storage systems. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and watching dramas.

Jake Erickson is a PhD student at UW Madison researching the equity and efficiency impacts of climate and sustainability policies. His research emphasizes the tradeoff between welfare redistribution and efficient emissions reductions in pursuit of optimal policies for a just transition. Other research includes work on optimal energy system design and electrification pathways for balancing emissions reduction and equity objectives in both the US and developing nations. Prior to his PhD, Erickson worked as a research consultant with the Cadmus Group, analyzing state and utility incentive programs for building and vehicle electrification. Outside of research, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, gardening, and camping.

Architect, Senior Campus Planner with FP&M’s Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture team.

Javiera is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Energy Analysis and Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research centers on applying optimization techniques to develop decision-making tools to promote the energy transition. Before embarking on her Ph.D. journey, Javiera earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Chile in 2022. While there, she focused on designing and evaluating renewable energy systems within the mining sector, showcasing her commitment to addressing critical energy and environmental challenges. Following her graduate studies, Javiera gained practical experience as an energy consultant, advising financial institutions on financing renewable energy projects in South America. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, and cross-stitching.

I’m a fifth-year student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department, supervised by Prof. Huber, working on plastic recycling through pyrolysis. I primarily study the chemistry of polyolefin pyrolysis using a fluidized bed reactor and analyze the complex oil mixtures through GC×GC-FID and NMR. My research is supported by the Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastic (CUWP), funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). Outside of research, I enjoy exploring new hiking trails and doing handcrafts.

Julianne is a Ph.D. student in the Life Sciences Communication Department at UW-Madison. Her work has mainly focused on visual communication of science, including topics such as COVID-19 and climate change.

Karann completed his Bachelor of Science with a dual degree in biological engineering and biology at Cornell University and is currently a PhD Candidate in the Carnivore Coexistence Lab under Dr. Adrian Treves. His research focuses on large carnivore ecology and conservation with foci on predator ecology and population modeling.

Kyungdoe “Doe” Han (He/His/Him) serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Hydroecology Lab within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doe’s background includes work on carbon sequestration and paleohydrologic reconstruction, employing numerical simulation methods across the board. He boasts over twelve national and international patents and has been honored with the Silver Medal at the Salon International des Inventions de Genève for his development of an autonomous vegetation growth monitoring system. His current projects are conducted under the guidance of Professor Steven P. Loheide II and benefit from the support of the UW-Madison Research Forward initiative and grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Kyungdoe “Doe” Han (He/His/Him) serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Hydroecology Lab within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doe’s background includes work on carbon sequestration and paleohydrologic reconstruction, employing numerical simulation methods across the board. He boasts over twelve national and international patents and has been honored with the Silver Medal at the Salon International des Inventions de Genève for his development of an autonomous vegetation growth monitoring system. His current projects are conducted under the guidance of Professor Steven P. Loheide II and benefit from the support of the UW-Madison Research Forward initiative and grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Marissa is a third year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, where she works on polymer science in the Loo Lab. She completed her undergraduate and Master’s studies in 2021 at Michigan Technological University where she studied biofuel production.

Mark Johnson is teaching faculty and a faculty associate in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. He has conducted policy studies and program evaluations for private foundations and various U.S. government agencies, especially in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. He is also currently project technical advisor and chair of the binational advisory board of a U.S. Department of State-funded Fulbright project in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, intended to foster U.S.-Jordanian university partnerships and research collaboration, especially around university-led sustainability programs and climate adaptation.

Matilyn Bindl is pursuing her PhD in the Nelson Institute Environment and Resources program with a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy. Advised by Dr. Morgan Edwards of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Matilyn’s interdisciplinary research uses integrated assessment models to understand the scale-up potential, policy implications, and equity impacts of carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

Melanie has more than 16 years of experience in research administration at UW-Madison, making her the ideal person to connect the dots of all the work happening across campus. A natural connector, Melanie works with researchers and departments to identify new opportunities for collaboration and connection in sustainability research. With her experience navigating projects, she understands the many moving parts involved in large proposals and can help overcome challenges that may arise.

I am a sophomore at UW-Madison, and I am studying Wildlife Ecology and Life Sciences Communication. I am part of the CALS Honors in Research program. I worked on this project as a CALS Honors Student under the supervision of Professor Bret Shaw from the Department of Life Sciences Communication and Division of Extension, who is also a co-author on the study. I am passionate about natural resource management, and I am interested in the relationship between scientists and the public. I believe effective science communication is one of the most important aspects of research, and I hope to reflect that throughout my professional career.

Miller is a researcher at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, working on food supply networks and transportation resilience especially for rural areas. She is part of the Smart Foodsheds use case team at the National Science Foundation’s AI institute, ICICLE, led by The Ohio State University. She also serves on the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Agriculture and Food Transportation.

I am a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serve as the president of the Food Recovery Network (FRN) Madison chapter. My work revolves around sustainability, particularly in reducing food waste and mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural systems. Through my role at FRN, I lead efforts to recover surplus food from local businesses and redistribute it to those experiencing food insecurity, thereby addressing both waste and hunger. I am also conducting research as part of a fellowship focused on reducing methane emissions in the dairy industry. This project integrates principles of the circular economy to explore innovative ways to limit agricultural emissions and promote sustainable practices within food systems. My goal is to inspire greater engagement in sustainable practices and demonstrate the vital role food recovery plays in tackling climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.

The Education and Outreach team is responsible for collaboration with students, staff and faculty in order to create integral social sustainability connections at UW–Madison. This team consists of five interns: Lily Jenkins (environmental studies and political science), Catie Stumpf (english, life sciences communications, and environmental studies), Hannah Stahmann (Spanish and environmental studies), Chandler Wells (environmental science and life sciences communications), Jordyn Czyzewski (landscape and urban studies, geography, and environmental studies), and Alicia Lopez (life sciences communications). The Education and Outreach team seeks to engage students with UW–Madison’s institutional sustainability goals and Office of Sustainability initiatives, while providing accessible outlets for students to engage with campus sustainability efforts.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Intern Communications team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Brynne Hill, studying Environmental Studies & Spanish; Chandler Wells, studying Environmental Sciences & Life Sciences Communication; Alicia Lopez, studying Life Sciences Communication; Catherine (Catie) Stumpf, studying English & Environmental Studies; Vibha Srinivasan, studying Economics; Kate Scroggins, studying Electrical Engineering & Environmental Science. We as interns want to engage fellow students, faculty, and staff on a range of issues in order to cultivate a culture of sustainability on the UW–Madison campus and beyond.

Paola is a third-year PhD candidate in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at UW-Madison, working under Professor Styliani Avraamidou. She focuses on developing decision-making tools utilizing optimization techniques to facilitate the transition to sustainable food supply chains. Paola earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador and gained industry experience as a consultant for Hazard Communication Programs.

Saurabh K Gupta is a research assistant and DERC fellow at the Engine Research Center (ERC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin Madison, USA, working with Prof Sage Kokjohn. With over 10 years of experience in academia and industry, he has worked on research projects in collaboration with the US Department of Energy (DoE), Office of Naval Research (ONR), John Deere, Cummins, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company, contributing to the study of alternative fuels, advanced combustion strategies, and optical sensor development.

The Scan Design Foundation (SDF) Fellowship Program aims to strengthen Danish-American relations by offering study abroad scholarships to Danish and UW–Madison students. This program focuses on sustainability, requiring program fellows to engage in activities centered around environmental and cultural sustainability in collaboration with the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability. The authors of this poster, who are part of the 2024 cohort, include Sara Bay, Sagar Clemensen, Kirstine Jacobsen, Kasper Jakobsen, Anna Soerensen, Matias Vaernskjold, Ellie Hart, Taylor Eberhardt, Olivia Cross, Erin Duffy, and Olive Dyrbye-Wright.

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability Podcast Team team is composed of 6 students in the 2024-2025 intern cohort: Aiden Culver, studying Political Science & Philosophy; Audrey Davis, studying Political Science & Environmental Studies, Brynne Hill, studying Environmental Studies & Spanish; Giann Abang, studying Community & Environmental Sociology; and Lily Jenkins, studying Political Science & Environmental Studies. Each episode on the SustainUW podcast engages fellow students, faculty, and staff on a range of issues in order to cultivate a culture of sustainability on the UW–Madison campus and beyond.

Tianwei Yan is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He completed his B.S. in Chemistry at Peking University and his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After graduation, he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. Tianwei’s research focuses on plastics recycling via chemical and solution-based technologies.

Hello! My name is Tim Holland. I am a Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. My studies focus on Science Communication and Ecosystem Services. I aim to develop effective communication strategies that increase public awareness and involvement in protecting the systems and services our natural resources provide. I am working on a project using Google search engine data to inform message development and testing for municipal water-related PFAS information.

Unmesh is a master’s research student in Electrical & Computer Engineering working in WiSEST (Wisconsin Embedded Systems) lab. His area of work are Machine Learning, Computer Vision. Unmesh holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay and worked for 3 years as a Data Scientist. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Madison and its beautiful lakes on a bike.

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in ecohydrological modeling, groundwater dynamics, and water resources management. My research aims to advance sustainable water management practices by integrating ecological, hydrological, and groundwater processes to address challenges in groundwater sustainability and recharge.