Work with thought leaders and academic experts in water science technology

# MY RESEARCH INTERESTS I am interested in biogeochemical cycling within marine sediments and the overlying water column, marine botany, and marine microbiology. For my doctoral dissertation, I studied the balance between competing nitrate reduction processes (denitrification, dnra, and anammox) in anoxic marine sediments using sediment thin disc experiments. As part of this work, I used molecular techniques to examine how microbial communities changed after the experiments and differed between treatments. In addition to this experimental work, I studied the microbial community composition of sediments along an estuarine gradient in the Damariscotta River Estuary during different seasons. For my master’s thesis, I studied the biogeochemistry and microbial communities associated with nitrogen fixation in seagrass beds. My thesis focused on the temporal changes of biological nitrogen fixation in the rhizospheres of *Thalassia testudinum*  and *Halodule wrightii* in Santa Rosa Sound, northwest Florida. My study included the assessment of nitrogenase activity, nutrient availability, and microbial assemblage using the *nifH* gene.  # MY PASSION I love the natural sciences, especially biology. Learning the various mechanisms and processes by which the natural world functions fascinates me. I love asking questions, and I believe that it facilitates the growth of my knowledge. During my childhood, my family and I would often travel to the Texas coast and visit aquariums. Even from a young age, I have always marveled at the wonder and beauty of the sea. Learning and discovering more about the ocean increases my interest and passion for marine science.  # MY BACKGROUND I was born and grew up in a rural area of northwest Texas. Until I left to attend the University of Texas at Austin to obtain my undergraduate degree, I lived on our family farm that my great-great-grandparents established after migrating to America from Switzerland. As a child, I was exposed to the wide open spaces of the Texas prairie. I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I attribute my adoration for the natural world to my upbringing in such a desolate and rugged place. Growing up, I learned how to ride horses and raise cattle. Without the conveniences of an urban locale, I obtained experience in building barns and homes and working on automobiles, amongst other necessary skills for life on the plains. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty nor work hard.

Dr. Sanjay Rout is an experienced professor and business professional with a diverse educational background. He holds a Ph.D in Management from Magadh University, as well as a PGDSCM in Management from the Institute of management technology. In addition, he has also completed a LLB in Law and an MBA in Management. Dr. Rout's expertise lies in the field of Business Analytics, which he studied at The Wharton Business School. He has also gained valuable experience through his various roles in the business world, including serving as the Chancellor at Mahavideha University, CEO at Innovation Solution Lab, and COO at ISL PUBLICATIONS. Dr. Rout is also involved in various organizations and serves on the Board of Directors at Spiritual Data. He has also worked as a consultant for companies such as NISG, Ernst and Young LLP, Pwc and Sutra PMU, and CAEMAS. With his extensive education and experience, Dr. Sanjay Rout is a highly knowledgeable and respected professor in the field of Business Analytics.

Joshua Dunlap is a driven Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, with a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University. He gained practical experience in engineering consulting at Cramer Engineering before focusing on environmental and energy systems for his Ph.D. As a published researcher and Ph.D. candidate, his expertise focuses on energy and environmental assessment methods, particularly of biomass production systems. Joshua also contributes to engineering education initiatives at the University of Georgia. With a passion for environmental engineering, he aims to reduce society's impact on ecosystems. Outside academia, he enjoys spending time in forests and learning to identify trees. <br>

Michael Hickner is an accomplished researcher and educator with an extensive background in chemical engineering. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2003. For the past 15 years, Hickner has been a Rogerson Endowed Professor at Michigan State University, where he has conducted highly acclaimed research in the areas of sustainable energy technologies and nanomanufacturing. Previous to this appointment, Hickner was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, where he conducted post-doctoral research in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, and catalysis. Given his diverse skill set and supportive leadership style, Michigan State students look to Hickner to provide them with the guidance, mentorship, and educational tools necessary to excel in the field of chemical engineering.

Senior Technical Advisor and Manager with 15 years of experience in management consulting, product & business development, B2B, SaaS & B2C sales, strategy, project management and marketing. Subject matter expert in energy domain with experience leading consulting engagements, developing and managing scope, budget, and schedule. Liaison for cloud technology (OSDU, Delfi) and digital transformation within partner ecosystem in subsurface operations - seismic, well log, core, drilling, completion, and production. Close collaboration with sales teams to drive executive level customer relationships and influence executive decision making. Strong business acumen and personal skills, interaction with clients and agencies, managing groups of interdisciplinary scientists, engineers, and software developers.

Dr Jo Boaler is a Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University, and the co-founder of youcubed. Her PhD won the national award for educational research in the UK and her book: Experiencing School Mathematics won the ‘Outstanding Book of the Year’ award for education in Britain. She is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (Great Britain), and a former president of the International Organization for Women and Mathematics Education (IOWME). She is the recipient of a National Science Foundation ‘Early Career Award’ and the NCSM Kay Gilliland Equity Award (2014). She is the author of nine books and numerous research articles. Her latest book is Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching (2016), and is published by Wiley. She serves as an advisor to several Silicon Valley companies.