2013 Undergraduate Cohort

Amanda Jimenez

Affiliation: UCI

I am going to be entering my 5th year at UC Irvine studying Environmental Engineering. Sustainability has grown to be a great passion of mine and I hope to combine it with my Environmental Engineering degree and my Civic and Community Engagement minor into my career. The PIRE program has had a direct influence on my desire to pursue a higher researched based education. I applied to program to gain hands on experience in water resources. I was enthralled by the possibility of working side by side with people just as dedicated as I am to water sustainability. One of my most memorable experience form this program was sharpening my professional communication skills, I am really glad I got to practice them with a team of passionate and patient leaders.

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Amanda Jimenez

Amanda Jimenez

Affiliation: UCI

Ava Moussavi-Aghdam

Affiliation: UCI

I will be entering my third year as an Environmental Engineering major. I am interested in water recycling and conservation techniques because I have always wanted to work to help preserve the environment. This program gave me the opportunity to learn about current techniques from experts in the field of sustainable water systems. These professionals have chosen a career path that mirrors my passion for the environment and have thus inspired and motivated me to continue in this line of work through graduate school. The PIRE program has completely surpassed my expectations. I have loved every minute of working in the water and getting dirty. Through my experimental work, I have gotten a taste of what it is like to address the world’s environmental problems and I am eager to continue to learn and work in this field. In particular, hands-on field and lab work have both instilled in me so much enthusiasm to continue learning and researching.

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Ava Moussavi-Aghdam

Ava Moussavi-Aghdam

Affiliation: UCI

Cameron Patel

Affiliation: UCI

I am studying civil and environmental engineering. I am especially interested in water supply, distribution, and treatment. I applied to the PIRE program because the email’s subject was “Amazing Summer Water Research Opportunity” and it called for environmental engineering majors interested in graduate studies. My favorite part of the program were the late nights working in the lab after collecting samples in the field. It a strong bonding experience spending that much time with people.

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Cameron Patel

Cameron Patel

Affiliation: UCI

Edgar Gomez

Affiliation: UCI

I am majoring in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Environmental Engineering. My research interests are in water sustainability technologies and water quality. I am currently looking at the effects of quorum quenchers as a treatment to prevent biofilm formation on reverse osmosis membranes in Professor Sunny Jiang’s lab. I applied to PIRE because I wanted to study urban water sustainability, experience a totally new culture, and I wanted the opportunity to connect with fellow classmates and professionals who share similar interest. My favorite part of the program was the trip to Australia because I experienced how multidisciplinary urban water system research is.

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Edgar Gomez

Edgar Gomez

Affiliation: UCI

Emily Parker

Affiliation: UCLA

I am currently an Environmental Science major at UCLA, with a minor in Environmental Engineering. My main interests are urban planning and water sustainability, so the UPP Down Under is the perfect fit for me! Everything we’ve learned through the program is applicable and useful, and I’ve loved being able to interact with people who share my interests.

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Emily Parker

Emily Parker

Affiliation: UCLA

Garfield Kwan

Affiliation: UCSD

My study interest lies in marine biology. Throughout my four years at UCSD, I have been involved with projects ranging from algal biofuel to market squid morphology. I am now applying for graduate school with a focus in marine physiology. I applied for the Undergraduate PIRE Program because of its offer of international exposure. I believe this will create new opportunities for collaboration with engineers and scientists in the field of wetland research and water reclamation. Although wetland research is fun, practical and exciting, my favorite part of the program would still be our visits to the Maru Animal Park and the Little Penguin reserve at Phillip Island. I love being able to pet kangaroos, observe little penguin behaviors, and even sniff koalas! But to answer the question, my favorite research experience was the ecology field sampling. I love sampling macro-invertebrates along the wetlands. It’s like a box of chocolate … except filled mostly water boatman and chironomids.

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Garfield Kwan

Garfield Kwan

Affiliation: UCSD

Jessica Satterlee

Affiliation: UCI

I’m interested in water resource engineering and also low impact development. I applied for the PIRE program because I was interested in learning about specific engineering solutions to managing water resources that may be applied in California. My favorite part of the program was the field work that we did over in Australia. It was exciting for me to see natural treatment systems in action and also to see the ecological systems that developed at each site, specifically the bird communities.

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Jessica Satterlee

Jessica Satterlee

Affiliation: UCI

Kevin Tran

Affiliation: UCI

I am currently studying Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering going into my fourth year but I hope to focus more on Ecology and Environmental Science if I get a chance to attend grad school. I applied to the PIRE program because I was interested in water resource management and I knew that I wanted to eventually work in sustainable urban water development. The way we use water will define a generation and I want to be part of that movement. By far my most favorite part of the program thus far is how it inspired me to reach farther and go to grad school. The program really showed me how much there is still to learn. Getting a more comprehensive and personal look at the academic world made me hope for the future.

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Kevin Tran

Kevin Tran

Affiliation: UCI

Kimberly Duong

Affiliation: UCLA

I have a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from UCLA; my research interests are in climate change, meteorology, and urban sustainability. I applied to the PIRE program because I am concerned about water stress in Southern California. It is a pressing issue that will only become more significant in the future as climate change puts arid regions at higher risk for drought. My favorite portion of the program is the close contact with the professors and postdocs. We all worked together as a team in the field and in the lab to obtain and analyze samples. Being in Australia was an invaluable experience both academically and culturally.

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Kimberly Duong

Kimberly Duong

Affiliation: UCLA

Maria Castillo

Affiliation: UCI

I’m a Public Health Sciences and Psychology/Cognitive Science double major. I’m currently studying the public’s perception of an indirect potable reuse facility in Atlanta, Georgia. My other research interests include water resources and security in developing countries, and using fMRI to study language and cognition among multilingual children. Applying to PIRE provided me an an outlet to better apply and hone my potential, in addition to achieving professional and personal growth. I also wanted to learn more about water resources management, and policies. My favorite part of the program has been the environment. Being surrounded by like-minded peers and inspiring faculty members has been an enriching experience. I also enjoyed the scientific process: from data collection, analysis, and presentation.

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Maria Castillo

Maria Castillo

Affiliation: UCI

Norma Galaviz

Affiliation: UCI

I am entering my fourth year as a a Civil and Environmental Engineering double major focusing on water resources and environmental hydrology. I would like to attend graduate school and partake in an interdisciplinary approach to urban water sustainability. My goal is to help industry and private consumers implement water conservation and sustainable technologies. I applied to the PIRE program because I knew it would help shape the direction I want my future studies to take. Through the PIRE program I have gained valuable research experience and have a better appreciation for international and interdisciplinary collaboration. Seeing first hand Australia’s successful approach to urban water sustainability has given me hope that similar changes can be made in Southern California.

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Norma Galaviz

Norma Galaviz

Affiliation: UCI

Sam Zabb-Parmley

Affiliation: UCLA

I am a civil and environmental engineering major at UCLA. I am interested in pursing water sustainability as a specialization, and this program stood out to me as an opportunity to explore that as a possible career. My favorite part of going Down Under was traveling to field sites and doing hands on work. Taking the theoretical concepts from school and applying them to practical applications was an invaluable experience and something I will take with me in the future.

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Sam Zabb-Parmley

Sam Zabb-Parmley

Affiliation: UCLA