People

Natasha Wright | Richard and Barbara Nelson Assistant Professor

Ph.D. 2018, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S. 2014, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. 2012, Mechanical Engineering, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

Research Interests: Membrane-Based Separation Processes, Desalination, Engineering Global Development, Water and Sanitation in Emerging Markets, Design Ethnography and Product Design
Teaching Subjects: ME8243 Research and Methods for Sustainability Impact, ME5312 Solar Thermal Technologies, ME4054 Design Projects
E-mail: [email protected]

Beatriz de Souza | Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. 2023, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
M.S. 2018, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
B.S. 2016, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

Research Interests: Biomedical Engineering, Translational Medicine, Engineering Global Development, Medical Devices, Biomaterial, Bioencapsulation
Research Topic: On-Demand Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Compounding
E-mail: [email protected]

Ibrahim Yekinni | Senior Research Scientist

MBBS 2015, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Research Interests: Biomedical Engineering, Translational Medicine, Global Health, Product Design
Research Topic: On-Demand Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Compounding
E-mail: [email protected]

Ian Song | Ph.D. Candidate

M.Sc.Eng 2021, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
B.S. 2017, Engineering, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA

Research Interests: Modelling and Simulation, Optimization, Membrane Separation Processes
Research Topic: Gas Extraction in Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment
E-mail: [email protected]

Carolyn Bernemann | Ph.D. Student

B.S. 2021, Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Research Interests: Engineering Global Development, Medical Devices, Sustainability, Product Design and Design Methodology
Research Topic: On-Demand Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Compounding
E-mail: [email protected]

Ali Abdelkawi | Ph.D. Candidate

M.Sc. 2021, Mechanical Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
B.S. 2017, Mechanical Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Research Interests: Salt Recovery, Crystallization, Kinetics, Brine Treatment
Research Topic: Resource Recovery from Desalination Brine
E-mail: [email protected]

Jenn Hoody | Ph.D. Student

M.S. 2022, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
BME 2020, Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton

Research Interests: Global Development Engineering, Clean & Renewable Energy, Food-Energy-Water Nexus, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), Interdisciplinary Research, Circularity, Heat Transfer 
Research Topic: Food Loss Reduction through Evaporative Cooling and Dehydration
E-mail: [email protected] 

Ian Manning | Ph.D. Student

B.S. 2022, Physics and Environmental Science & Sustainability, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

Research Interests: Circularity Systems, Global Sustainable Development, Clean & Renewable Energy, Food Production, Aquatic Systems, Ecosystem Protection
Research Topic: Brine Management
E-mail: [email protected] 

Adithya Ganapathiraju | M.S. Student

B.Tech 2020, Mechanical Engineering, Amrita Vishwavidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kerala, India.

Research Interests: Modeling and Simulation using CFD, Species Transport through Membranes, Optimization
Research Topic: Gas Extraction in Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment
E-mail: [email protected]

Pauly Soulia | M.S. Student

BSME 2023, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Research Interests: Clean and Renewable Energy, Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer, Interdisciplinary Research
Research Topic: Electrodialysis Desalination
E-mail: [email protected]

Jaxen Lindsey | Undergraduate Researcher

Research Topics: Gas Extraction in Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment, Resource Recovery from Desalination Brine