Jose F. Alfaro Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan 440 Church St. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 882-8138 [email protected]
Appointments
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI School for Environment and Sustainability • Assistant Professor of Environmental Practice, 2014 – Present • Faculty Director Sustainability Without Borders, 2014-Present • Research Fellow, William Davidson Institute, 2020-Present • Faculty Fellow Sustainable Living Experience, 2019-2020 • Director of Global Engagement, 2014 – 2016 • Co-director Summer Programs for Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development (EHELD) 2010-2013
Mbrace, Inc • Founder, President, 2021 – Present
Green Assessment Instruments and Advice (GAIA, SA) • Founder, Co-Principal 2019 - Present
Mitsubishi PET Films, Greenville, SC • Research and Development Engineer, 2003 – 2008
Education
University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment: Ph.D., Natural Resources and Environment, 2014 • Concentration: Sustainable Systems, Complex Systems • Dissertation: “Modeling Emergence of Formal Electricity Networks in Least Developed Countries” • Advisor: Shelie Miller • Advising Committee: Greg Keoleian, Rick Riolo, Ming Xu
Clemson University: M.S., Environmental Engineering, 2011 • Concentration: Sustainable Systems, Industrial Ecology • Thesis: “Applying Industrial Symbiosis to Small Holder Farms: Modeling A Case Study in Liberia, West Africa” • Advisor: Shelie Miller • Advising Committee: Cindy Lee, Mark Schlautman
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: B.S., Chemical Engineering, 2003, Suma Cum Laude
Hiwassee College, Madisonville, TN: Associate of Science, 1999, Suma Cum Laude, Valedictorian
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Research Interests
• Renewable energy deployment for sustainable development • Applications of Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy to increase community sustainability • Sustainability Finance • Interdisciplinary, international, and engaged education for sustainable development
Peer Reviewed Publications * Denotes graduate student 1. M. Somers, J.F. Alfaro, G. Lewis, “Feasibility of super absorbent polymer recycling and resuse in disposable absorbent hygiene products.” Journal of Cleaner Production, In Press. 2. C.C. Wu, S. Raghavan, A. Pine, J.F. Alfaro, B.J. Love, D.I. Collias, “Dewatering of super absorbent polymers: Alternatives to termal desorption by liquid pase extraction using dimethyl ether.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol 171, 105641, 2021. 3. J.F. Alfaro, S. A. Miller, “ Analysis of electrification strategies for rural renewable electrification in developiong countries using agent-based models.” Energy for Sustainable Development, vol 61, pp. 89-103, 2021 4. A. Brewer*, J. F. Alfaro, and T. F. Malheiros, “Evaluating the capacity of small farmers to adopt aquaponics systems: empirical evidence from Brazil,” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, pp. 1–9, 2020. 5. S. Graber*, T. Narayanan.*, J.F. Alfaro, D. Palit. “Perceptions Towards Solar Mini-Grid Systems in India: A Multi-Stakeholder View.” Natural Resources Forum, vol 43, pp. 253-266, 2019. 6. S. Almazán-Casali*, J.F. Alfaro, S. Sikra. “Exploring household willingness to participate in solid waste collection services in Liberia”. Habitat International, vol. 84, pp. 57–64, 2019 7. R. Martinez Criollo*, T. Malheiros, J.F. Alfaro. “Municipal Environmental Management Indicators: a Bottom-up Approach Applied to the Colombian Context.” Social Indicators Research, vol. 141,pp. 1037-1054, 2019 8. J. F. Alfaro & B. Jones. “Social and environmental impacts of charcoal production in Liberia”. Energy for Sustainable Development, vol 47, pp. 124–132, 2018. 9. R. Moreira, T.F. Malheiros, J.F. Alfaro, T.B. Cetrulo, & L.V. Ávila. “Solid waste management index for Brazilian Higher Education Institutions”. Waste Management, vol. 80, pp. 292–298, 2018. 10. S. Graber*, T. Narayanan*, J.F. Alfaro, D. Palit, “Solar Microgrids in Rural India: Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Attributes of Electricity.” Energy for Sustainable Development, vol. 43, pp. 32-43, 2018. 11. J. F. Alfaro, S. Miller, J. X. Johnson, and R. R. Riolo, “Improving rural electricity system planning: An agent-based model for stakeholder engagement and decision making,” Energy Policy, vol. 101, pp. 317–331, Feb. 2017. 12. S. P. Rimer, J. F. Alfaro, L. B. Stadler, C. G. Davis, and H. G. Winful, “Co-Curricular Programs in Liberia for Student Pipeline into Engineering and Agriculture,” International Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 1602–1612, 2014. 13. J. Alfaro and S. Miller, “Satisfying the rural residential demand in Liberia with decentralized renewable energy schemes,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews., vol. 30, pp. 903–911, Feb. 2014.
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14. J. Alfaro and S. Miller, “Applying Industrial Symbiosis to Smallholder Farms: Modeling a Case Study in Liberia, West Africa,” Journal of Industrial Ecology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 145–154, Nov. 2013. 15. S. A. Miller, S. Moysey, B. Sharp, and J. F. Alfaro, “A Stochastic Approach to Model Dynamic Systems in Life Cycle Assessment,” Journal of Industrial Ecology, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 352–362, 2012. 16. J. F. Alfaro and S. A. Miller, “Planning the Development of Electricity Grids in Developing Countries: An Initial Approach Using Agent Based Models,” in International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST) IEEE, 2011. 17. J. F. Alfaro, B. E. Sharp, and S. A. Miller, “Developing LCA Techniques for Emerging Systems: Game Theory, Agent Modeling as Prediction Tools,” in International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST) IEEE, 2010.
Book Chapters * Denotes graduate student + Denotes undergraduate student 18. Ribeiro, G+., Malheiros, A+., Rezende, M.O., Daniel, L.A., Malheiros, T.F., Alfaro, J.F., Landgraf, M.D., 2020. Evaluation Of The Agronomic Viability And Environmental Impacts On An Aquaponic System In The Farm São João - São Carlos - Sp, in: da Silva, H.C. (Ed.), Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental: Tecnologias Para a Sustentabilidade 5. Atena, Parana, pp. 37–52.
Publications in Review * Denotes graduate student
19. G. Ribeiro+, A. Malheiros+, J.F. Alfaro, T. Malheiros, L. Daniel, M. Landgrad, M.O. Rezende, “Assessment of aquaponics system for improvement of water quality in a tilapia farm: in search of food sustainability for the agricultural and social development of the region.” Aquaculture Engineering, In review. R. 20. D. Wilkins*, C. Thiel, J.F. Alfaro. “Method for Assessing the Environmental Impact of Chronic Disease Treatments: A Life Cycle Environmental Emissions Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Pathways in the United States and Sri Lanka.” Lancet Journal of Public Health. In Review, R. 21. J.F. Alfaro, S. Graber*, “Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Deployment of Food Residue Biomass Minigrids in Liberia.” Biomass and Bioenergy, In Review, R
Other Publications and Scholarship of Engagement + Denotes undergraduate student * Denotes graduate student
Reports and White Papers 22. J.F. Alfaro, B. Schiessl. “Greenwal SPE. Green Financing Framework Second Opinion.” Oslo: CICERO Shades of Green. 2020. 23. J.F. Alfaro, B. Schiessl. “Reginn Hf. Green Financing Framework Second Opinion.” Oslo: CICERO Shades of Green. 2020. https://www.reginn.is/en/investors/green-financing/.
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24. M. Somers*, J.F. Alfaro, G. Lewis, “Feasibility of Superabsorbent Polymer Recycling in Disposable Absorbent Hygiene Products: A Total Life Cycle Approach.” Report for Proctor and Gamble Company, Ann Arbor, MI, 2020. 25. C. VanderWilde*, M. Somers*, J.F. Alfaro, “Preliminary Social Life Cycle Assessment of Coral Reef Regeneration in Samara, Costa Rica Via Proyecto Corales,” White Paper in Collaboration with Costa Rican National Institute of Learning and Sustainability Without Borders. Samara, Costa Rica, 2019. 26. S. Almazan*, B. Yarlagadda+, M. Green*, and J.F. Alfaro. Using Industrial Symbiosis Concepts to Reduce Flexible Packaging Flow to Landfill in Developing Countries. Report for Proctor and Gamble Company, Ann Arbor, MI, 2017 27. J.F., Alfaro, S. Graber*, T. Narayanan*, and T. Levin. Rural Renewable Electrification in Liberia: Outcomes and Opportunities from a Stakeholder Workshop. White Paper in Collaboration with Rural Renewable Energy Agency of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia, 2017
Broadcasts and Media Appearances 28. J.F. Alfaro, “Renewable Energy Generation with Coffee Biomass”, Casa Pueblo Universitario. Radio show episode, Radio Casa Pueblo, Adjuntas Puerto Rico, 25 April, 2020. (Delivered in Spanish). 29. J.F. Alfaro, A. Massol Deyá, “Insurrección Energética”, NotiCentro por La Mañana. TV News Show, WAPA TV, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Interview by Ada Monzón. 21 February, 2020. (Delivered in Spanish). 30. J.F. Alfaro, G. Zúñiga, “Sustainable Water Desalination,” Voz de Guanacaste TV News Show, Interview by Adrian Rojas. Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 18 March, 2019. 31. J.F. Alfaro, I. Perfect, “UM Researchers helping farmers, making energy in Puerto Rico,” Stateside, Michigan Public Radio, Interview by Lester Graham, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 27 September, 2018.
Capacity Building Presentations, Workshops and Conferences Organized 32. J.F. Alfaro, “Environmental and Social Life-Cycle Assessment as Metric Development Tools in Sustainable Financing”, Invited Panelist, United Nations, BioFin Latin America Regional Meeting, Cartagena, Colombia. June 10th-14th, 2019. 33. J.F. Alfaro, “Energy Positive Communities”, Invited Speaker, Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Conference, Brussels, Belgium, November, 2018 34. “Industrial Ecology and Industrial Symbiosis Implementations for an Eco-Transition in the Americas”, 2nd ISIE Americas Conference and the 15th Industrial Symbiosis Research Symposium. Co-Chair of organization committee. Cartago, Costa Rica, October 29th – November 1st, 2018 35. “Industrial Symbiosis and Green Development Agenda.”, Invited Presentation, Agency for Promotion of Export and Comerce, PROCOMER, San Jose, Costa Rica, August 2018. (Delivered in Spanish)
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36. “Opportunities for Hydrological Fee and 5-year Strategy management in Costa Rica’s Community Managed Water Systems.” Workshop organized with UNDP Costa Rica, Nandayure, Nicoya, Costa Rica, May 2018. (Delivered in Spanish) 37. “Strengths and Weaknesses Discovery Workshop for Community Managed Water Systems (CMWS) in Costa Rica.” Workshop organized with Liga Comunal del Agua and UNDP Costa Rica, Nandayure, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, May 2018. (Delivered in Spanish) 38. “Industrial Ecology and other research opportunities with SEAS,” Invited Presentation to Renting Colombia, Medellin, Colombia, 2017. (Delivered in Spanish) 39. J.F. Alfaro, “Engaging with Communities to Develop Sustainable Solutions”, Invited Poster Presentation, Supporting First-of-a-kind Climate Technology, Scoping Workshop. United Nations Climate Technology Center and Network, Copenhagen, 22-23 May, 2017 40. J.F. Alfaro, “Syllabus for Success: Technical Track”, Invited Presentation, Plastics Recycling 2017, Trade Meeting of the Resource Recycling Organization, March 8, 2017 41. Rural Electrification Stakeholder Workshop. Event for the Rural Renewable Energy Agency of Liberia, January 23, 2017. 42. “Industrial Symbiosis at the Small Scale.” Conference Workshop prepared. International Society of Industrial Ecology Latin America Regional Conference, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, May 2016. 43. 1st Latin American Regional Conference. Conference Organized, Technical Committee for International Society of Industrial Ecology Latin America Regional Conference, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, 2015-2016 44. “Promoting Sustainability Education Through International Partnerships.” Invited Keynote speaker. Conference on Sustainability and International Education, EARTH University, Costa Rica, March 2016. 45. “Crisis and transformation - lessons of sustainability assessment,” Invited Seminar and Round Table, XIV Symposium of the Sciences of Environmental Engineering Graduate School Program, University of Sao Paulo. September, 2015 (Delivered in Portuguese)
Educational Resources Prepared 46. C. VanderWilde*, T. Fitch*, J.F. Alfaro. “Fueling the Energy Transition: Can a Congolese Community Affrodably Electrify with Renewable Resources?” Michigan Sustainability Case Study. https://www.learngala.com/cases/drc-microgrids 47. “Framework for Engagement and Examples for NGO Capacity Building”, Invited Lecture. Training of Trainers in Environment, Health, and Sustainable Development, World Health Organization Collaborating Center in health and Environment, SUNY Albany, May 2017 48. “Sustainability Challenges for the Developing World,” Invited lecture, Summer International Environment School, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. August 2014
49. Alfaro, J.F, Rimer, S., Jones, B., Jones, M., Kuruvilla, S., Reddivari, S., …Stadler, L. Summer Start - Course for First and Second Year College Students [course]. 2012. University of Michigan. USAID-funded Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development project. Open.Michigan: http://open.umich.edu/education/engin/eheld/summer-start
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50. Alfaro, J.F, Rimer, S., Jones, B., Jones, M., Kuruvilla, S., Reddivari, S., …Stadler, L. Fast Start - Course for High School Students [course]. 2012. University of Michigan. USAID-funded Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development project. Retrieved from Open.Michigan: http://open.umich.edu/education/engin/eheld/fast-start.
Patents 51. 52. P. Taddei, J.F. Alfaro, R. Cabanillas, I. Mogosanu, “Linear Fresnel-Based Desalination”. University of Michigan, assignee. US Patent 010109-18001A-US, 2019.
53. Alfaro, J. F., Finke, R., and Sange, GM. “Polyester Film Having Latent Shrink Properties and Process for Producing Same.” Mitsubishi Polyester Film, assignee. WO Patent 2,009,067,395. 2009
54. Culbertson, E. C., et al. Release Coated Polymer Film. Mitsubishi Polyester Film, assignee. Patent 6,613,430. 2003
Grants Commercialization of Gasification Technology, Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC), AgBio, $50,000. 2020-2021. PI.
Emerging Frontiers for Research and Innovation, NSF: Sequestering Microplastics Using Upcycled Plastic Waste, $2,000,000. 2020-2024. CO-PI.
Center for International Climate and Environmental Research: Green Bond Second Opinion Development, $7,500. 2020. PI.
Graham Sustainability Institute, Dow Distinguished Award: Developing a Net-Zero Field Station in Costa Rica, $50,000, 2019-2021. PI.
Graham Sustainability Institute, Dow Distinguished Award: Social Life Cycle Assessment and Health Impacts of Ceramic Filters in Uganda, $25,000, 2019-2021. PI.
School for Environment and Sustainability: Green Bonds Second Opinion Methodology, $10,000. 2019- 2021. PI
School for Environment and Sustainability Themes Funding Program: Energy and Agriculture Sustainable Systems in South Africa, $13,000. 2019. PI
Mcubed: Research and Teaching Under a Sustainable Roof: Developing a Net-Zero Research Station in Taboga Forest Preserve, Costa Rica, $15,00. 2019-2021. PI
Graham Sustainability Institute Transformation Grant: Reimagining Puerto Rico’s Energy and Food Systems Through Community Engagement and Industrial Symbiosis, $324,333, 2018 - 2020. Co-PI
School for Environment and Sustainability: Engagement in Puerto Rico for Sustainable Energy and Agriculture, $50,000, 2018-2020. PI.
School for Environment and Sustainability and Center for Sustainable Systems: Sustainability Without Borders: Global Engaged Learning Opportunities for Students, 2014 – 2020, $350,000. PI
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Proctor and Gamble, Circular Economy: Symbiotic Recycling of Consumer Products, $1,090,752, 2017- 2020. Co-PI
Proctor and Gamble MCubed Diamond Grant, Using Industrial Symbiosis Concepts to Reduce Flexible Packaging Flow to Landfill in Developing Countries. $80,000, 2016-2017. Principal Investigator.
UM Center for Global and Intercultural Studies, Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates, Helping Communities Find their Voice on Cultural and Environmental Issues. $58,000, 2016-2017. Principal Investigator.
UM Humanitarian Technologies Institute Seed Grant, Social Life Cycle Assessment for Manufacture of Appropriate Technologies for Disadvantaged Communities. $6,000, 2014-2015. Co-author with Student Jenna Lee.
UM Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, Experiential Learning Fund, Practice In Sustainable Community Development, $10,000. 2014-2015. Principal Investigator.
UM International Institute, Internationalizing the Curriculum, Practice in Sustainable Community Development, $10,000. 2014-2015. Principal Investigator.
Center for Sustainable Systems, Strategic Support of Sustainability Without Borders. $15,000 yearly budget. 2012 – 2014. Principal Investigator.
United Nations Development Program, Small Grants Program in Liberia: Kpondehtown Sustainable Farm, 2012-2013: $43,000. Co-Author with local NGO Christian Revival Church Association.
African Studies Center Small Grant Program: Creating a Multi-Disciplinary Student Organization: Sustainability Without Borders: $3,000. Principal Investigator.
Elizabeth Caroline Crosby Award, ADVANCE/Rackham Graduate School. “Modeling Sustainable Electricity Development,” 2012-2013, $9,500. Primary Author (PI: Shelie Miller).
School of Natural Resources Seed Grant, “Forming Collaborative Relationships with the University of Liberia,” 2011-2012, $7,000. Primary Author (PI: Shelie Miller).
Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates, “Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development Involvement,” 2012: $48,000. Primary Author (PI: Steve Wright and Aline Cotel).
African Studies Center, Seed Grant Program: Electricity Grids in Liberia, $8,000. Primary Author (PI: Shelie Miller).
Brookwood Church Community Development Grant, $13,000. PI.
Academic Presentations “Microgrids from Biomass Residues for an Agricultural Circular Economy.” International Society of Industrial Ecology Latin America Regional Conference, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica, October, 2018.
“Industrial Symbiosis at the Small Scale.” Panel speaker. International Society of Industrial Ecology Latin America Regional Conference, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia, May 2016.
J.F. Alfaro, “Promoting Sustainability Education Through International Partnerships.” Invited Keynote speaker. Conference on Sustainability and International Education, EARTH University, Costa Rica, March
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2016. “Crisis and transformation - lessons of sustainability assessment,” Invited Seminar and Round Table, XIV Symposium of the Sciences of Environmental Engineering Graduate School Program, University of Sao Paulo. September, 2015 (Delivered in Portuguese)
“Planeando Infraestructuras para Sistemas de Energía Renovable,” Invited presentation, Workshop, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico. January, 2015 (Delivered in Spanish)
“Exploring Emergence of Renewable Energy Grids with Agent-Based Models,” Invited seminar, Clemson University, SC, November 2014.
“Sustainability Indicators: More than Just Environment,” Invited presentation, Universidad de Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 2014 (Delivered in Portuguese)
“Systems Analysis and Complex Systems,” Invited lecture, Universidad de Sao Paulo, Brazil, September 2014 (Delivered in Portuguese)
“Sustainability Challenges for the Developing World,” Invited lecture, Summer International Environment School, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. August 2014
“Modeling Decision Strategies for Renewable Energy Electricity Networks”. Conference of the International Society of Industrial Ecology, Ulsan, South Korea, July 2013
“Using Systems Thinking and Sustainability as an Educational Tool in Africa”. International Symposium on Sustainable systems and Technologies, Cincinnati, May 2013
“Satisfying Rural Residential Demand in Liberia with Decentralized Energy Schemes.” Liberia Studies Association Conference. New Brunswick, NJ, April 2013
“Meeting Liberia’s Growth Sector Skills Demand Through Centers of Excellence in Higher Education.” Making Cents Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference, Washington, D.C., September 2012
“Energy Emissions and Resource-Use Analysis Using Agent Based Modeling”. Liberia Sustainability Forum: Developing Capacity for the Liberian EPA, Washington D.C., September 2011
“Planning Electrical Grids in Developing Countries: An Initial Approach Using Agent Based Modeling”. International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technologies, Chicago, July 2011
“Evaluating the Development and Demographics of Electrical Grids in Bottom of the Pyramid Countries”. Conference of the International Society of Industrial Ecology, Berkeley, CA., May 2011
“Developing LCA Techniques for Emerging Systems: Game Theory, Agent Modeling as Prediction Tools”. International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technologies, Washington D.C., May 2010
Fellowships National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship, 2010 – 2013, $133,000
Rackham One-Term Dissertation Fellowship, Fall 2013, $34,000
Clemson Next Generation Fellowship, 2009- 2010, $45,000
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Teaching and Outreach Experience
Masters Themes Course, University of Michigan, Fall 2020
Designing Distributed Generation and Micro-Grids, University of Michigan, Winter 2019, Summer 2020
Environmental Systems Analysis, University of Michigan, Fall 2016, Fall 2017
Technology and Sustainable Community Development, University of Michigan, Winter 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2019
Agent-Based Modeling, University of Michigan, Fall 2016
Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates, Community Issues in Paranapiacaba Brazil and Detroit Michigan, Summer 2016
Practice in Sustainable Community Development, University of Michigan, Winter and Summer 2015
USAID Program, Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development (EHELD) -Summer Enrichment Program Director (2010-2012) and Instructor (2013)
Engineering Design in Developing Countries, Creative Inquiry Class, Clemson University (Spring and Summer 2009)
Student Mentorship
PhD Student Committees Andrea Quiñones, University of Michigan, 2025 Heloisa De Oliveira, University of Campinas, 2021 Stefania Almazan, University of Michigan, 2021 Rodrigo Martins Moreira, University of São Paolo, 2017 Maryam Arbadzadeh, University of Michigan, 2016 Ruby Criollo, University of São Paolo, 2015
Master Student Thesis Advisor Michael Rainer, “Considering Social Networks and Income Disparity in Diffusion of Energy Efficiency Interventions in Detroit”, 2018 Ansha Zaman, “100% Variable Renewable Energy”, 2018 Pratmesh Gupta, “Opportunities for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Mumbai”, 2018 Danielle Wilkins, “Life-Cycle Assessment of Medical Treatments for Diabetes in Sri Lanka”, 2018 Pablo Taddei, “Technical and Economical Feasibility of Small Scale Concentrating Solar Power for Desalination”, 2017 Rebecca Spelissy, “Developing a Framework for Sustainable Technology Transfer in Rural Communities”, 2016 Rashmi Krishnan, “Using Palm Oil and Rubber Industry Residue for Rural Electrification”, 2016
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Brieland Jones, “Social and Environmental Impacts of Charcoal Production in Liberia”, 2015
Master Student Projects and Independent Research Callie Vanderwilde, Tyler Fitch, and Elissa Mueller, “Incorporating Renewables in an Operating Micro- grid in Democratic Republic of Congo”, 2018 Sachiko Graber and Tara Narayanan, “Assessing Factors for Future Success of Micro-Grids in India”, 2017 Jenna Lee, “Evaluating Social Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool for Social Ventures in Developing Countries: A Case Study in Uganda”, 2017 Meredith Reisfield and Kendra Moffett, “Building a Business Plan Ensuring Market Access for MakaPads in Uganda”, 2016
Marianna Kerpolla and Sydney Johnson, “Building a Sustainable Space for a Girls Academy in Liberia”, 2015
Undergraduate Student Research Maya Lapp, “An Agent-Based Model for Biomass Harvesting and Gasification (BHAG),” 2019 Brinda Yarlagadda, Linnan Cao, Shayan Golafshani, Nicholas Jansen, Tochi Nwogu, “Biomass Gasification for Makapads Production: Towards Circular Economy Solutions,” 2016 Brinda Yarlagadda and Shayan Golafshani, “Developing a Biomass Gassifier for Use of Papyrus Waste in Uganda,” 2015
Sustainability Without Borders 60 active students Present Work Teams • Water supply for drinking and agricultural uses, Peru • Social Impact Assessment of Clay Water Filters, Uganda • Microgrid development from Biomass, Puerto Rico • Development of Net-Zero Biological Station, Costa Rica • Collaboration for Agriculture and Renewable Energy, South Africa Past Projects • Renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, Liberia • Aquaculture water treatment through aquaponics, Brazil • Concentrating Solar Power for Water Desalination, Mexico and Costa Rica • Environmental education, Detroit, MI • Biosand Filters for Arsenic and pathogen removal, China • Solar Powered Water Distribution, Liberia • Solar Cell-phone Charge Station, Liberia • Electricity Generating Playground, Liberia
Service and Professional Activities • Honnold Foundation, Technical Committee for Grant Awards, Member, 2020 – Present.
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• Liaison with UNFCCC secretary Christiana Figueres for Wege Lecture (2019) • University of Michigan Focal Point to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2014 – Present) • University of Michigan International Education Network (2014 – Present) • School for Environment and Sustainability Focal Point to the Climate Technology Center and Network (2016 – Present) • Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, School for Environment and Sustainability (2016 – Present) • Curriculum Innovation Working Group, School for Environment and Sustainability (2016 – 2017) • Technical Committee International Society for Industrial Ecology, Latin America Regional Meeting (2015 – 2016) • University of Michigan Council on Global Engagement (2014 – 2016) • Faculty Director, Sustainability Without Borders (2014 – Present) • University of Michigan Point of Contact for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2015 – Present) • Liaison with President José María Figueres for Conference of the Parties meeting (2015) and Wege Lecture (2016) • Organizer, Complex Systems Advanced Academic Workshop (Fall 2013) • Ph.D. Application Review Committee, School for Environment and Sustainability (2013) • Co-founder, Sustainability Without Borders, University of Michigan (2012 - 2014) • Student Group Committee, International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technologies (2012 – 2014) • STEM Africa Committee, African Studies Center, University of Michigan (2011 – 2014) • Student Government Ph.D. Representative, School of Natural Resources and Environment (2010- 2011) • Graduate Student Advisor to Engineers Without Borders, Clemson University (2009)
Other Research and Professional Experience
Mitsubishi Polyester Film: 2003-2008 Research and development Engineer • Developed research programs resulting in multi-million dollar market products and a global patent • Managed research collaborations with customers and company colleagues across three continents
Co-op Engineer (5/2002–8/2002, 8/2001–12/2001, 1/2001–5/2001, 5/2000–8/2000) • Conducted research efforts resulting in: • $5 million differed capital investment • $350K yearly savings, and elimination of 280K yearly pounds of scrap • Decreased down time and testing times and improved plant flexibility and safety • One product patent
Recognitions • President’s Award for Distinguished Service in International Education Nomination, 2016 • Golden Apple Award Nomination, 2015 • Impact on Global Experience Student Recognition, 2014 and 2015
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Memberships • International Society of Industrial Ecology • Forum on Education Abroad
Other Skills • Netlogo, Fusion 360, HOMER Pro, HelioScope software proficiency • Trained in Facilitation of Technical Teams • Languages: Bilingual Spanish/English, conversational Portuguese • Vast English/Spanish technical translation expertise
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