3 minute read
The Andlinger Community Thrives
Photo: Fernando Temprano-Coleto and Holly Caggiano (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Successful implementation of large-scale “ renewable energy projects requires focus on local values.”
— Holly Caggiano
During 2021-2022, the Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment had four researchers join as Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellows, a program that aims to foster strongly interdisciplinary approaches to advance emerging research in energy and the environment. Holly Caggiano and Fernando Temprano-Coleto joined in Fall 2021, and Aniruddh Mohan and Lara Tomholt joined in 2022.
Caggiano is studying social barriers to clean energy implementation in Appalachia with a view towards designing policy choice environments that can speed adoption of renewable energy. She brings expertise in designing projects to address community concerns in solar and wind farm planning and development. Caggiano is collaborating with Elke Weber and Chris Greig, the Theodora D. ’78 and William H. Walton III ’74 Senior Research Scientist at the Andlinger Center. Caggiano is also working with John Pickering, chief behavioral scientist of E-ffiliates member Evidn, an international behavioral science company. Temprano-Coleto is developing a technique to remediate microplastics pollution in water and aims to create low-energy processes to identify and characterize small plastic particles which often go undetected in water treatment systems. He is working with Howard Stone, the Donald R. Dixon ‘69 and Elizabeth W. Dixon Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Temprano-Coleto is also working with Sujit Datta, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering, and Z. Jason Ren.
Aniruddh Mohan Lara Tomholt
Mohan is analyzing how emerging technologies such as electric and automated vehicles, energy storage, and direct air capture can play a role in achieving net-zero emissions. As an engineer and public policy expert, he will contribute to the growing body of policy-relevant research outputs from Andlinger Center’s Rapid Switch, an initiative investigating how to accelerate decarbonization efforts globally. Mohan will work with lead researchers of Princeton’s Net-Zero America study, Eric Larson, senior research engineer at the Andlinger Center, and Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment.
Inspired by the geometry of plant leaves, Tomholt aims to develop ceramic systems that are thin enough to allow heat transfer when used in building components and manufacturing processes. A researcher on bio-inspired sustainable building technologies, she is exploring new materials design and manufacturing processes for thinner, thermally efficient ceramics and how to incorporate them into buildings. Tomholt will work with Reza Moini, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, as well as Forrest Meggers, associate professor of architecture and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment.
And the Honor Goes to...
José Avalos was recognized by the American Chemical Society’s Biochemical Technology division with its 2022 Young Investigator Award. Avalos was singled out for his research on engineering microbes, such as yeast, to have desirable traits in order to address issues in energy, sustainable manufacturing, the environment, and human health. The award is meant to recognize a young, active member of the organization who has made noteworthy research in the field.
Z. Jason Ren, a leader in water-energy nexus research, received Water Research Foundation’s 2021 Paul L. Busch Award. He was recognized by the foundation due to his novel, data science-driven approach to measuring carbon emissions at water facilities, and his development of tools and web applications for utilities to modernize and reduce emissions.
Minjie Chen received the Lawrence Keyes, Jr. / Emerson Electric Co. Faculty Advancement Award from Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. The award recognizes assistant professors for excellent teaching and research. Chen studies advanced power and energy systems for the future, which enable emerging applications such as smart power electronics at grid edge and power electronics for robotics, EVs, and data systems.
Launch Pad
Our past Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows are taking their expertise to the next stage. Here is where they have landed after their fellowships:
Kofi Christie
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, assumes an assistant professorship in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University.
Melissa Ball
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, is an associate director of technology at Energy Impact Partners in New York City.
