Podcasts about Environmental engineering

As the founding member and driving force of Grounded Permaculture Action Party (Inc.) Rupert's enthusiasm for growing food, community and culture is highly contagious. His life-long dedication to environmental, social and cultural change is second to none. In this in-depth interview, Rupert shares his journey into permaculture, the origins of Grounded permaculture action parties, and his vision for regenerative land management. Discover practical insights on community building and integrating plants such as Ginger and Taro into a sustainable lifestyle.Graduating from University with a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering he spent a number of years conforming to the urban water and wastewater industry. Working for both the public and private sector on multi-million dollar projects he gained a breadth of experience in the management, planning, design, operation and construction of urban infrastructure.A high-level holistic systems thinker, he quickly got bored developing patchwork solutions for a dysfunctional system and his interest in growing food, living off-grid and taking responsibility for his own existence inevitably led him down the path of permaculture.A self-confessed jack of all trades and master of his curiosity, he is as good with his hands as he is with his head and is a specialist in conceptual planning, systems thinking and making things happen.CONNECT:Grounded Socials: https://www.facebook.com/groundedpermacultureactionparty https://www.instagram.com/grounded.permaculturehttps://www.youtube.com/@groundedpermaculture1360 The Natural Capitalist https://www.youtube.com/@TheNaturalCapitalist01Join the Hybrid PDC.--> Learn the skills to manage land effectively and regenerate it for abundance.Join Grounded Gathering 2026 (GG#10)--> hosted at High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm, 21-27 September.** TONIELLE'S PERSONAL OFFERINGS **Earth Mumma Permaculture. A Place for Earth Carers to Get Skilled in Sustainability. We're here to activate people & places with edible landscapes, regenerative living practices & abundance thinking. Design your life to thrive. Are you ready to connect, nourish & grow?Find her here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ linktr.ee/lovingearthmumma⁠⁠⁠⁠*BUY ME A CUPPA*If you liked the episode and want more, a cuppa fuels my work and time. Each episode is produced by our volunteer team of presenters and given for free! So please send us some love by leaving a comment and a few dollars via the link in the podcast description for ⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/theeldertree⁠⁠. Thank you!**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time!To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Introduction to the Solution UC Davis researchers are examining a novel approach to combating climate change: turning our buildings into carbon sinks. The solution is based on incorporating biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained from plant material, into common construction materials like concrete, brick, and asphalt. By embedding carbon directly into long-lasting infrastructure, this approach reduces atmospheric CO₂ and also transforms one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world into a tool for climate mitigation. Background: How Carbon Storage in Building Materials Works Biochar is created through pyrolysis, a process involving heating organic material, such as crop residues or wood waste, in a low-oxygen environment. This process locks in carbon that plants absorb during photosynthesis and prevents it from being re-released into the atmosphere through decay or burning. The research team at UC Davis, headed by Professor Sabbie Miller and Dr. Elisabeth Van Roijen, proposes the use of biochar as a partial replacement for the materials in concrete and other construction compounds. Since more than 20 billion tons of concrete are produced every year by the construction sector, substituting 10% of that with biochar-based mixtures could store up to 1 gigaton of CO₂ annually, or the equivalent yearly emissions from Japan. Unlike temporary carbon storage methods, like soil burial, embedding biochar in durable infrastructure ensures long-term sequestration, potentially spanning decades or even centuries. It also leverages the global scale of construction as a medium for climate action. Advantages of This Solution Apart from net carbon emissions reduction, the introduction of biochar-enriched building materials has tangible engineering benefits. It has been found that the addition of biochar can enhance thermal insulation, fire resistance, and durability in some uses. The process also fits well within the circular economy principles because of the organic waste used and reduced need for virgin materials. Because construction is already a high-volume, resource-intensive industry, integrating biochar into existing supply chains could make climate-positive practices scalable and economically viable without requiring dramatic infrastructure overhauls. Equally important, this solution provides dual benefits: supporting both carbon sequestration and the development of sustainable materials. Drawbacks and Critiques The approach faces several scientific and logistical obstacles despite such a promising premise. Producing biochar requires energy in quite significant quantities, with sourcing biomass at large scales risking unforeseen ecological impacts such as nutrient depletion or habitat disruption. Some critics even ask whether its broad adoption might inadvertently encourage the removal of older buildings in favor of the construction of newer, carbon-storing ones, offsetting any climate gains. Another factor is the life cycle of the biochar-infused materials themselves. While they can store carbon for decades, it remains undetermined how these materials at the end of a building's life are to be managed to avoid re-release of CO₂. Future policy frameworks and recycling technologies will be required to address these challenges if there is to be long-term effectiveness. About the Guest Dr. Sabbie Miller is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. Her research focuses on sustainable infrastructure materials, life-cycle assessment, and reducing the environmental footprint of the construction industry. Further Reading UC Davis News: Storing Carbon in Buildings Could Help Address Climate Change Nature Geoscience: Carbon Sequestration Using Biochar Science Magazine: Building Materials as Carbon Sinks ScienceDirect: Alternative Sequestration Options in Construction Materials For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sequestering-carbon-in-building-materials-with-dr-sabbie-miller/

Our guest tonight is Dr. Michael S. Wong, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University. He is also professor in the Departments of Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science and NanoEngineering. He was educated and trained at Caltech, MIT, and UCSB before arriving at Rice in 2001. His research program broadly addresses chemical engineering problems using the tools of materials chemistry, with a particular interest in energy and environmental applications ("catalysis for clean water"). He has received numerous honors, including the MIT TR35 Young Innovator Award, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Nanoscale Science and Engineering Young Investigator Award, Smithsonian Magazine Young Innovator Award, and the North American Catalysis Society/Southwest Catalysis Society Excellence in Applied Catalysis Award. He is research thrust leader on multifunctional nanomaterials in the NSF-funded NEWT (Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment) Engineering Research Center. He is chair of the ACS Division of Catalysis Science and Technology (CATL), and serves on the Applied Catalysis B: Environmental editorial board. Previous experiences include chairmanship of the AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum and Chemistry of Materials editorial board membership.The focus of this podcast is recent work led by Dr. Youngkun Chung, one of Dr. Wong's postdoctoral research associates, which describes a new approach to filtering PFAS from water at 1,000 times the efficiency of methods such as activated carbon. Better still, the captured PFAS can be removed from this new filter medium in a process that renders it safe, and the medium ready for reuse.Topics covered include:Description of PFAS chemicals areHow they get into the environmentLimitations of existing filtration approachesDetails of the new technologyHow Dr. Wong's team at Rice University collaborate to develop technlogies that use chemical engineering to make our environment cleaner.Support the showVisit us at climatemoneywatchdog.org!

What if the very buildings, roads, and infrastructure we use every day could store energy and act as massive power sources? In this episode, Damian Stefaniuk, Research Scientist at MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), unveils a revolutionary concept: conductive concrete. Damian's pioneering research explores how concrete can be engineered to conduct electricity and store energy—up to 10 times the capacity of traditional materials—while reducing the carbon footprint of cement production. This breakthrough could transform our infrastructure into smart, energy-storing systems, pushing the boundaries of clean energy solutions and emissions reduction. In this conversation, we dive into: ·       How concrete can be turned into a conductive material for energy storage. ·       The role of carbon-based conductive cement and nanomaterials in this innovation. ·       How infrastructure can contribute to renewable energy storage and clean energy goals. Damian's work promises to reshape the future of sustainable construction and energy storage. Tune in to learn more about how smart concrete could change the way we think about energy and infrastructure. Follow Damian and his work at MIT here! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr 

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are large, integrated machines that make tunneling faster, safer, and more efficient.  To dig into the details of how TBMs work, we talk with Mike Mooney, Grewcock Distinguished Chair Professor of Underground Construction and Tunneling, and Professor of both Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, at the Colorado School of

Dort, wo Menschen leben, hat die wilde Natur oft wenig Platz. In den Städten gibt es kaum noch Plätze, an denen Mauersegler Nistmöglichkeiten finden, Glühwürmchen in der nächtlichen Dauerbeleuchtung Partner suchen können und an denen sich auf versiegelten Betonflächen nicht die Hitze staut. Das ist weder für wilde Tiere noch für uns Menschen schön. Wie wir es besser machen können, wie wir der Natur wieder mehr Raum einräumen und dadurch selbst an Lebensqualität gewinnen, damit beschäftigen wir uns in dieser Folge. Dafür sprechen wir mit Michael Ruland. Er ist Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering beim familiengeführten Unternehmen Goldbeck und dort unter anderem für die Ausrichtung des Unternehmens in Richtung Biodiversität zuständig. Der ehemalige Landschaftsgärtner teilt mit uns, was heute bereits unternommen wird, damit die Bedingungen für eine artenreiche Natur nach einem Bauprojekt im Optimalfall besser sind als zuvor. Außerdem erzählt er uns von seinen Visionen für eine Zukunft, in der die Wildnis wieder mehr Raum in der direkten Nachbarschaft der Menschen erhält.Wir freuen uns riesig, dass das Unternehmen Goldbeck unseren Podcast unterstützt!Vielen herzlichen Dank! https://www.goldbeck.de/Weiterführende Links:Unterstützt uns bei Steady: https://steady.page/de/tierisch/aboutFrauke und Goldbeck: https://www.goldbeck.de/unternehmen/newsroom/news/next-challenge-biodiversitaetIUCN Bericht zu Biodiversität an Gebäuden: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2025-001-En.pdftierisch! Folge 59 - Leben in menschlichen Bauwerken: https://shows.acast.com/642c2103dcec3a00114ec45f/668c2ea13ef8f267becb0a40Animal Aided Design- Studio in Berlin, dass sich mit Kohabitation von Menschen und wild lebenden Tieren beschäftigt: https://animal-aided-design.de/projekte/#Swiftbricks in Schottland: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/28/swift-bricks-to-be-installed-in-all-new-buildings-in-scotland-after-holyrood-backs-rulingWarum kreisen Insekten um Lampen? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44785-3Nistdachziegeln für Vögel: https://www.wienerberger.com/de/storys/2022/20220601-nistdachziegel-fuer-voegel.htmlNiststeine: https://www.ehlert-partner.de/Nistkast_einbau.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore what it’s like to build a career as a woman in environmental engineering and consulting as Environmental Echo's host Paul K. Boyce, PE, PG, President and CEO of PW Grosser Consulting, sits down with Jenny Heflich, PE, Danielle Dulligan, and Regina Bykov, PG. From fieldwork to project management, they discuss the challenges of working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the lessons they’ve learned, and the strategies that have helped them succeed. This episode offers practical insights, real-world experiences, and inspiration for anyone interested in pursuing a career in environmental consulting, engineering, or sustainability. Visit https://pwgrosser.com/podcast to listen and learn more about environmental engineering, consulting, and sustainability careers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conflict in Iran is a reminder of how quickly global energy markets can be disrupted. It also underscores why advances in things like battery technology — from electric transportation to grid-scale storage — are becoming central to energy resilience and security. It has been about 50 years since British chemist Stanley Whittingham laid the foundation for the first lithium-ion battery at an Exxon research lab in New Jersey. In 2019, he and two other scientists, John Goodenough and Akira Yoshino, earned a Nobel Prize for the breakthrough. By then, lithium-ion batteries had transformed consumer electronics and a growing segment of the transportation sector. And today, battery storage is playing an increasing role in supplying new capacity to the eclectic power sector. So what is the state of battery innovation today? Are there battery chemistries that could dethrone lithium-ion technology? How do mineral availability and environmental health play into the battery market? And what does the federal government's waning support for renewable energy mean for the battery industry?   Today on the show, Bill Loveless speaks with Dan Steingart about the arc of innovation in the battery space, and how different energy storage applications are evolving. Dan is the Stanley-Thompson Professor of Chemical Metallurgy and a professor of chemical engineering at Columbia University. He also chairs the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering and co-directs the Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center. Prior to joining Columbia in 2019, Dan was an associate professor at Princeton University. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, Alice Manos, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.  

This is the second episode of the Thinking with the Earth miniseries. In this episode, hosts Chrishma Perera and Spencer Schmitz speak with Dharma Raj Dhakal, a second-year PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Dharma shares insights from his research on how landfills can contaminate groundwater, the water we rely on but rarely see. Beyond his research, Dharma also reflects on his journey as an international student in Canada and invites listeners to take part in Earth Day activities on April 22. Recorded on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 Produced by Kuljeet Chohan Theme tune "Feelin Good" provided by FreeBeats.io (Produced by WhiteHot)

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Ingrid Latham. Ingrid has been advising students on the college process since 2004.  She enjoys learning about her students' activities and how those might relate to ideas for majors and careers.  Navigating the college process can be more manageable with Ingrid's assistance in creating timelines for completing each task.  In addition to college applications and essays, Ingrid also helps with high school and college course selection, which can be an excellent opportunity for students to explore different interests.  Many of her students return for Ingrid's advice on preparing their LinkedIn profiles and practicing for internship interviews.   Ingrid has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University, during which time she worked as a math and chemistry tutor.  After working in engineering for seven years, Ingrid decided to follow her true calling of helping young adults to fulfill their dreams.  Having lived and worked in a variety of settings, Ingrid has an extensive network of former colleagues and students who serve as great connections when her current clients want to learn firsthand information about a college or career.   Originally from Ohio, Ingrid was the captain of her high school's swim team, a newspaper editor, and a baton twirler.  Ingrid now lives in Wisconsin, where she enjoys nature, walking her dog, reading, rollerblading, and singing in a local chorus.  A fun fact about Ingrid is that she was an announcer for her son's high school and college lacrosse teams!   Find Ingrid at leaprogram.com. ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.  

Send us Fan MailEnvironmental engineering is a broad field that includes air, water, and soil engineering.  Among those areas, air quality has broad impacts on the environment since it is not always localized.  For example, forest fires can affect the air quality for people and wildlife that are thousands of kilometers away.In this episode we sit down with Kevin McCullum to learn about his career as an environmental engineer.  Kevin has worked in both private industry and government sectors for 30 years, gaining a wealth of experience.  During his career he has worked on a number of engineering projects related to air, water, and soil, but he has a true passion for air quality projects.  Kevin is the Principal Engineer and Owner at KRM Environmental Consulting.  His firm provides a variety of engineering services for air, water, and soil quality monitoring, and they offer services in data analytics and environmental reporting.  In this conversation, Kevin shares his journey in engineering and talks about some of the projects he worked on.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Environmental and civil engineer, professional hair braider, public health scholar, and triple HBCU alumna, Nemmi Cole, PhD joins the show to discuss outdoor air quality, warehouses, and respiratory health in California's Inland Empire on the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast.From 1980 to 2021 the number of warehouses and industrial buildings in the Inland Empire grew to 1 Billion Square Feet (1,000,000,000 SQ FT). Nearly 40% of all goods and products coming into the U.S travel on trucks through or sit in warehouses within San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. In 2024, the 5 most polluted cities in the entire nation were within the Inland Empire including Ontario and San Bernardino. Children and adults living in these communities have the highest rates of asthma, lung disease, and COPD in the State of California. Diesel trucks, industrial waste, truck idling, and output of industrial machinery contribute to chemicals in the air such as Sulfur Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds. Our guest on the podcast is a native of San Bernardino so her work is personal. On the show Nemmi reminisces and laments the loss of parks and farmland in her community to industrial buildings and warehouses.After completing her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida A&M University, our guest Dr. Nemmi Cole returned home to join the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California to study the impact of megawarehouses on children's respiratory health outcomes in San Bernardino and Riverside County. Jasmine and Nemmi bonded over their shared passion for how neighborhood design shapes our mental and physical health. Download the episode to hear the civil engineering, environmental science, urban planning, and real estate perspective on warehouses, asthma, diesel trucks, globalization, zoning, and mental health.Share this episode with a friend or family member who cares about their neighborhood!Thank you for listening! Read Nemmi Cole, Phd full bio:Dr. Nemmi Cole is a researcher, engineer, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of science and social impact. Growing up in San Bernardino, California, with roots in Houston, Texas, she was driven by a deep intellectual curiosity about the world around her. That curiosity took her to Florida A&M University, where she became a proud triple alumna, earning her Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering.Her professional background spans academia, state and federal government, and international research, including roles as a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow - Federal Affairs Fellow in Washington, D.C, and as a Regulatory Program Assistant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Most recently, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, where she led research focusing on the impact of the built environment on children's respiratory health outcomes.Off the clock, she has spent nearly 28 years running her business, Braids by Nemmi, where she treats hair as a sophisticated art form rooted in culture and care. As she steps into her next chapter as a future faculty member, her mission is to equip the next generation of engineers and STEM professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to translate their academic training into real-world impact.References:Kim C, Gharib C, Atamna H. Pediatric Asthma in the Inland Empire: Environmental Burden, Gaps in Preventive Care, and Unmet Needs. Children (Basel). 2025 Sep 4;12(9):1183. doi: 10.3390/children12091183. PMID: 41007048; PMCID: PMC12468150. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12468150/Andre Perry. Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities. https://bookshop.org/p/books/know-your-price-valuing-black-lives-and-property-in-america-s-black-cities-andre-m-perry/6d4a4eab6505ab10?ean=9780815737278&next=t&next=t%2CtRose Institute of State and Local Government. 2024 Inland Empire Outlook. https://roseinstitute.cmc.edu/research/inland-empire and https://roseinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IEO_Spring_2024_IE_Warehouses.pdf

What does a career in STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—really look like today? It might mean managing thousands of employees at a federal agency, protecting breakthrough inventions through patents, or helping redesign the materials that power modern life. The common thread isn't a straight line. It's curiosity, adaptability and the willingness to say yes to new opportunities.   Host Mia Quinn sits down with Vaishali Udupa, Chief IP Counsel at Verizon and former Commissioner for Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Jennifer Ronk, a plastics and sustainability expert at Dow, to explore how the next generation can build meaningful careers in science, technology, and sustainability.    Together, they talk candidly about mentorship, overcoming challenges, embracing leadership, and why you don't need your entire future mapped out at 18. Along the way, they share candid stories about mentorship, leadership and resilience—and explain why curiosity and problem-solving are at the heart of every STEM career.   You'll also hear how patents and intellectual property fuel innovation and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping careers across science, engineering and manufacturing.  

Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like when a Tribally-owned enterprise deliberately goes off the reservation to generate economic returns for its Nation? Austin Tsosie, CEO of Diné Development Corporation (DDC) — the Navajo Nation's 8A federal contracting arm — joins host Wes Benally to answer exactly that. Over 21 years, DDC has grown from a council-inspired idea to a mid-tier federal IT powerhouse operating in 30 states and five countries with over 700 employees. Austin shares the thinking behind DDC's diversification strategy, their bold AI-first approach that tripled proposal output, the Navajo Career Pathways Program and Navajo Leadership Academy, and how DDC defines success beyond the bottom line.Is your Tribal enterprise looking to build sustainable economic development strategies and strengthen organizational governance? Reach out to REDW's Tribal advisory team to learn how our trusted advisors support Tribal Nations in building lasting financial and operational strength.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Austin Tsosie and Diné Development Corporation02:30 - DDC's Mission: Off-Reservation Federal Contracting for the Navajo Nation05:00 - Diversifying Across IT, Environmental Engineering, and Professional Services08:45 - Embracing AI: DDC's AI-First Strategy and 20+ Custom AI Enablers12:50 - Hiring Navajo Talent: Challenges and the Navajo Career Pathways Program16:20 - The Navajo Leadership Academy: Building Future Board Members18:40 - Measuring Success: Beyond Revenue to Community Contribution22:10 - The Reservation Economic Summit and Trusted Tribal PartnershipsTakeawaysDDC was created by the Navajo Nation Council to separate business from politics and pursue federal contracts off-reservation — generating revenue and bringing it home for Tribal economic development.Deliberate diversification across IT services, environmental engineering, and professional services helps DDC navigate shifts in government spending across administrations.DDC has adopted an AI-first strategy company-wide — deploying 20+ AI enablers and increasing proposal output by 2.5 to 3x, enabling the organization to respond to over $1 billion in proposals in a single year.Building a Navajo workforce in federal contracting requires intentional programming; DDC's Navajo Career Pathways Program and Navajo Leadership Academy are actively addressing talent development and governance pipeline challenges.DDC measures success not only in financial metrics but in contributions to the Navajo economy — including jobs, dividends, partnerships with Navajo businesses, and culturally significant milestones like the Navajo Code Talker building in Dayton, Ohio.REDW Advisors and CPAs is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!

Bushfires are becoming more frequent, intense, far-reaching and complex. How can we reimagine bushfire resilience with a more proactive, systems-based approach? In this episode of Engineering Reimagined recorded live at the CAETS conference, Aurecon’s Santiago Estrada sits down with Dr Marta Yebra, a Professor at the Australian National University and Director of the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence. Dr Yebra shares how engineering-led innovation is transforming the way we predict, prepare for and respond to fire and other natural hazards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Sedlak is the Plato Malozemoff Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-Director of the Berkeley Water Center, Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Reinventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure, and Director of the Institute for Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, he is author of the book Water 4.0: The Past, Present, and Future of the World's Most Vital Resource. David is working to create technologies that will allow future generations to have access to adequate amounts of clean, safe water. When David isn't working, he enjoys long-distance running. He often runs along the many trails in the Berkeley area, and he participates in an annual local trails marathon. David earned his Bachelor's degree in environmental science from Cornell University. After college, he worked as a Staff Scientist at Environ Corporation in Princeton, New Jersey. David then attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he was awarded his Ph.D. in water chemistry. Prior to joining the faculty at UC, Berkeley, David conducted postdoctoral research at the Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Throughout his career, David has received numerous awards and honors, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Development Award, the Paul L. Busch Award for Innovation in Applied Water Quality Research, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, a Fulbright Alumni Initiative Award, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering Gilbreth Lecture Award, and the Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for Excellence in Water Research. He has also been named an Elected Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, as well as a Rydell Distinguished Visiting Professor at Gustavus Adolphus College and the Francqui Foundation Chair, Ghent University. In our interview, David shares more about his life and research.

What should we be doing going forward to make the country more resilient against extreme conditions? Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is EU Climate Pact Ambassador, Liam Doyle & Assistant Professor in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering in TCD, Dr Aimee Byrne.

What if concrete could store energy that turned buildings, roads, and infrastructure into massive power banks? In this episode, we're joined by Damian Stefaniuk, Research Scientist at MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub), and the Electron-Conductive Cement-based Materials Hub (EC³ Hub). Damian's research explores how concrete can be engineered to conduct electricity and store energy at up to 10x the capacity of traditional materials — while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of cement production… Damian is a structural and materials engineering scientist who specializes in the development of sustainable construction materials and structures. His research focuses on science-enabled engineering of cement-based materials, with applications ranging from corrosion-resistant prestressed bridges and carbon-storing pre-cure carbonation to electron-conductive carbon concrete for renewable energy storage.   Dive in now to discover: How concrete can be made into a conductive material. Carbon-based conductive cement and nanomaterials. Infrastructure's role in clean energy and emissions reduction. You can follow along with Damian and his work here!

To Celebrate The Elder Tree's Foundations of Sociocracy In Person Training with Erin Young, we bring you this Re-Release! March 7th & 8th 2026 MORE INFO & BOOKINGSErin Young is a mover and shaker in the realm of socialpermaculture and tunes in with us from Kabi Kabi country near Eumundi on theSunshine Coast. As a certified Human Potential Coach and Sociocracy trainer,she shares insight into how she brings nature-informed frameworks and aholistic toolkit to help individuals and forward-thinking organisations balancenervous systems to establish safety and avoid distraction and dysfunction tomake real traction in creating a positive impact. She speaks to living anenchanted life and ecological patterns brought into social settings toencourage a diversity of perspectives and governance hierarchies to makedecisions with a "power with, rather than power over".We discuss her garden and what is growing, her favouriteplant, Lemon Grass (⁠Cymbopogoncitratus⁠)and its many functions and her healthy journey using Ayurvedic practices,intuitively going to certain plants when she needs them, and the underestimatedbalm of a cup of herbal tea. Erin holds a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering anddiscusses how her first Permaculture Design Course in Portugal unlocked herunderstanding of how life works and led her on this path, whereby she nowteaches Social Permaculture weekend courses alongside pioneer Robin Clayfield(who will be joining us in an interview soon!), speaks at Festivals and teacheselements of her toolkit at courses such as the Change-makers PDC on theSunshine Coast. Currently, she is partnered with Earth Funerals, anorganisation establishing sustainable funerals and natural burial groundsaround Australia. With developmental coaching, consulting and training incollaborative decision-making and governance (aka sociocracy), socialpermaculture, and artfully facilitating group processes, she is modelling howgroups can be healthy human ecosystems and a regenerative force beyondmonoculture thinking!Show Notes:Social Permaculture Weekend with Robin Clayfield Feb 11th& 12th, 2023: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/events/564776655431004⁠Earth Funerals: ⁠https://earthfunerals.org/restoration-burial/⁠Zen and the Art of Dying: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4245204/⁠Introductory Guide to Social Permaculture & SeasonalGoals - A living Guide: ⁠https://www.erinyoung.net/shop⁠Connect with Erin:Website (with e-books mentioned): ⁠www.erinyoung.net⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/erinyoung.coaching⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinyoung___/⁠To learn more about The Elder Tree, visit the website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ anddonate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠. Find outmore about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠The introand outro song is "⁠⁠Sing for theEarth⁠⁠"and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

At Davos, Donald Trump claimed that China doesn't use wind energy, or in his words, “windmills.” He could not be more wrong. In 2024, China accounted for 40% of the globe's wind energy generation and in 2025, over a quarter of China's energy came from wind and solar power. As the U.S. reverts to coal, gas and oil for its energy needs, China is emerging as the world leader in renewables. We talk about whether the U.S. will be left irrevocably behind by Trump's energy policy and what it all means for California's renewable energy industry. Guests: Jeremy Wallace, professor of China Studies, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS); author, "China Lab" newsletter; author of recent WIRED article, "China's Renewable Energy Revolution Is a Huge Mess That Might Save the World" Mark Jacobson, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University; author, "Still No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bertie is joined by Mark Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, whose research formed the foundation for the Green New Deal. In his new book, “Still No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air,” he underlines that we have already developed the technologies necessary to solve the climate crisis.Dr. Jacobson argues that wind, water and solar power are the most effective tools for reducing emissions, that the development of energy-intensive “unicorn technologies” such as carbon capture and storage only prolongs fossil fuel use.Mark Jacobson is Director of Stanford's Atmosphere and Energy Program and a co-founder of The Solutions Project, which advances clean, renewable energy systems. His new book is available to buy here from Cambridge University Press, with 20% off using the discount code “NOMIRACLES20”.Further reading:'Carbon capture does not reduce emissions: these three case studies prove it', Mark Z. Jacobson, Land and Climate Review, 2026. Wind and solar overtook fossil fuels for EU power generation in 2025, report finds, Ajit Niranjan, The Guardian, 2026.No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air, Mark Z. Jacobson, Cambridge University Press, 2023. 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything, Mark Z. Jacobson, Cambridge University Press, 2020. 'A path to sustainable energy by 2030', Mark Z. Jacobson and Mark A. Delucchi, Scientific American, 2009 Correction notice: in the original upload of this podcast, Bertie mistakenly referred to the publisher of Still No Miracles Needed as 'Stanford University Press', rather than Cambridge University Press. This was removed on 27/1/25.Send us a textClick here for our website to read all our most recent Land and Climate Review features and pieces.

Dakota Louis’ (Northern Cheyenne) family bull riding roots go back five generations. His father was a two-time champion at the Indian Finals Rodeo. Now, Louis is a top competitor at the same rodeo and other events around the country. He hopes to pass down his skills and inspiration to a younger generation on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana where he grew up. On the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina, Jade Blankenship (Colville Tribes/Eastern Band of Cherokee) opened a spa and boutique with her sister. Together they are sharing their business knowledge with budding Native entrepreneurs. They are among the names on this year’s 40 under 40 list by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. We’ll hear from some of the Native people on a variety of career paths recognized for their contributions to their communities. GUESTS Dakota Louis (Northern Cheyenne, Cree, and Blackfeet), professional bull rider Jade Blankenship (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane and Eastern Band of Cherokee), co-owner of Indigenous Boutique and Spa and founder of UWENA Corey Hinton (Passamaquoddy), attorney at Drummond Woodsum Michael Charles (Diné), assistant professor in the department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University Break 1 Music: Rodeo Song [Skip Dance Song] (song) Sweethearts of Navajoland (artist) From the Heart of Diné Nation Traditional Songs of the Navajo (album) Break 2 Music: Vipismal – The Hummingbird Song (song) Earl Ray (artist) Traditional Songs Of The Salt River Pima (album)

“‘We said pledges about remembering our ancestors… loving Black (at Aisha Shule)” In this episode, Dr. Tierra Bills—Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Public Policy at UCLA—returns home through memory, tracing her family's East Side roots and the African-centered foundation of Aisha Shule, where “as the daughter of one of the Walimu… I had to set the tone.” She honors Mama Easter's “big presence” and the rituals that taught students their history “did not start with slavery,” then shows how that cultural grounding carried her from FAMU to UC Berkeley and into transportation engineering. Bills breaks down “mobility as a system,” asking not just how we travel, but “how easy can I get to my desired destinations?” and what happens when data, scooters, robots, and roadwork reshape daily life. From 696 detours to the I-375/Black Bottom rebuild, she insists engineers must measure real community impacts: “80% of the businesses will be shut down,” “your travel time has ballooned,” and “those who are bearing the worst impacts are those who are also most vulnerable.” It's a Detroit legacy lesson—culture as preparation, and policy as repair—and an invitation to show up at public meetings. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com

Introduction to the SolutionUC Davis researchers are examining a novel approach to combating climate change: turning our buildings into carbon sinks. The solution is based on incorporating biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained from plant material, into common construction materials like concrete, brick, and asphalt. By embedding carbon directly into long-lasting infrastructure, this approach reduces atmospheric CO₂ and also transforms one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world into a tool for climate mitigation.Background: How Carbon Storage in Building Materials WorksBiochar is created through pyrolysis, a process involving heating organic material, such as crop residues or wood waste, in a low-oxygen environment. This process locks in carbon that plants absorb during photosynthesis and prevents it from being re-released into the atmosphere through decay or burning.The research team at UC Davis, headed by Professor Sabbie Miller and Dr. Elisabeth Van Roijen, proposes the use of biochar as a partial replacement for the materials in concrete and other construction compounds. Since more than 20 billion tons of concrete are produced every year by the construction sector, substituting 10% of that with biochar-based mixtures could store up to 1 gigaton of CO₂ annually, or the equivalent yearly emissions from Japan.Unlike temporary carbon storage methods, like soil burial, embedding biochar in durable infrastructure ensures long-term sequestration, potentially spanning decades or even centuries. It also leverages the global scale of construction as a medium for climate action.Advantages of This SolutionApart from net carbon emissions reduction, the introduction of biochar-enriched building materials has tangible engineering benefits. It has been found that the addition of biochar can enhance thermal insulation, fire resistance, and durability in some uses. The process also fits well within the circular economy principles because of the organic waste used and reduced need for virgin materials.Because construction is already a high-volume, resource-intensive industry, integrating biochar into existing supply chains could make climate-positive practices scalable and economically viable without requiring dramatic infrastructure overhauls. Equally important, this solution provides dual benefits: supporting both carbon sequestration and the development of sustainable materials.Drawbacks and CritiquesThe approach faces several scientific and logistical obstacles despite such a promising premise. Producing biochar requires energy in quite significant quantities, with sourcing biomass at large scales risking unforeseen ecological impacts such as nutrient depletion or habitat disruption. Some critics even ask whether its broad adoption might inadvertently encourage the removal of older buildings in favor of the construction of newer, carbon-storing ones, offsetting any climate gains.Another factor is the life cycle of the biochar-infused materials themselves. While they can store carbon for decades, it remains undetermined how these materials at the end of a building's life are to be managed to avoid re-release of CO₂. Future policy frameworks and recycling technologies will be required to address these challenges if there is to be long-term effectiveness.About the GuestDr. Sabbie Miller is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. Her research focuses on sustainable infrastructure materials, life-cycle assessment, and reducing the environmental footprint of the construction industry.Further ReadingUC Davis News: Storing Carbon in Buildings Could Help Address Climate ChangeNature Geoscience: Carbon Sequestration Using BiocharScience Magazine: Building Materials as Carbon SinksScienceDirect: Alternative Sequestration Options in Construction MaterialsFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sequestering-carbon-in-building-materials-with-dr-sabbie-miller/

Hundreds of Papamoa residents are fighting back against a council proposal that they help pay for their own road repairs. Seven streets are set for roadworks in January, but because the streets are considered "low-volume", Tauranga City Council has opted for chipsealing, rather than asphalt. After locals voiced their opposition to that idea, the Council came back with an offer: You want asphalt, you can pay the difference. Dr Daniel van der Walt, senior lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Canterbury and Phillip Brown is the Chair of the Papamoa Residents and Ratepayers Association talk to Jesse.

Jorge Lagarto, founding member and currently Director of LabX – Center for Innovation in the Public Sector. After starting his career working in consulting and project management, he spent many years in the public sector, particularly in the areas of innovation, digital transformation, and servicedesign. He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering and a specialization in eLearning Pedagogy and Instructional Design.In this episode, Jorge shares with us the journey that led him to co-found and lead LabX. He highlights the importance of understanding the diverse needs of all citizens in order to create inclusive public services. He shares with us the multiple roles LabX play: from developing projects (from research to implementation) to creating capability (through training), supporting innovation teams and nurturing an ecosystems of innovation labs. He shares some of the challenges associated to innovation in the public sector but also shares the value of the design process in creating meaningful solutions and trigerring culture change.To learn more about Jorge's work, follow him on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-lagarto-7a712468/⁠and check LabX's website:⁠https://labx.gov.pt/o-labx/?lang=en⁠Credits:Conception, host and production: Anne-Laure FayardSound design & Post-production: Claudio SilvaMusic & Art Work: Guilhem Tamisier

Buildings consume 39% of United States total energy whilst HVAC professionals face constant pressure balancing energy efficiency against occupant health and comfort despite these fields often conflicting in design priorities.Professor Stefano Schiavon from UC Berkeley, global leader in thermal comfort with over 15,154 research citations, explains why HVAC systems exist primarily to protect people and create healthy comfortable spaces rather than save energy, how particulate matter sensors throughout buildings enable better control decisions, why furnace fan only mode during wildfires provides automatic air cleaning using existing equipment, and how UC Berkeley's 25 year occupant satisfaction database reveals only 40% of people feel satisfied with thermal environment despite 80% satisfaction targets.With expertise spanning personal environmental controls, radiant heating cooling systems and post occupancy evaluation research methods, Professor Schiavon shares practical solutions including smart thermostat automation connecting outdoor sensor networks and why turning systems off when leaving represents simplest most actionable energy saving advice alongside proper professional maintenance servicing. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTHVAC systems designed protect people create healthy spacesParticulate sensors both intake throughout building enable decisionsFurnace fan only mode wildfires recirculates large airForty percent thermal satisfaction versus eighty percent targetsTurn systems off leaving professional maintenance simple adviceGUEST DETAILS Professor Stefano Schiavon is Professor of Architecture and Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, leading expert in building science researching how to reduce building energy consumption (39% US total energy use) whilst ensuring occupant health, happiness and productivity through improved indoor environmental quality. Key leader at Center for Environmental Design Research running Berkeley's advanced MS and PhD programmes in Building Science, he is recognised worldwide for thermal comfort and indoor air quality expertise focusing on practical low energy solutions including personal environmental controls, radiant heating cooling systems and new ventilation methods. Using detailed lab experiments, advanced computer simulations and real world post occupancy evaluation surveys, his research has earned 15,154 citations with h-index of 61, winning ASHRAE Ralph Nevins Award with findings reported by Wall Street Journal and CNN.Connect with Professor Schiavon:Website: https://ce.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/schiavonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanoschiavon/Center for Environmental Design Research, UC BerkeleyMORE INFORMATIONThere is also a wealth of industry information on air quality and how to improve it on our website at camfil.comLet's Talk Clean Air is produced for Camfil by DustPod.ioQUOTESWe are not designing HVAC systems with the aim to save energy. We are there to protect people, to create spaces that are healthy and comfortable. If we compromise on the air quality outside is polluted, we bring outside air in. If we bring those pollutants inside, we're going to damage people. - Professor Stefano SchiavonIf we can introduce that technology that allows us to ventilate, to heat, cool, to provide light only where people are, then we could save a substantial amount of energy. - Professor Stefano SchiavonThe main reason is that people do not have a good sense of air quality. The fact that we don't see air, we don't properly perceive it, then there is a higher chance that we don't spend enough time and attention. That's why focusing on regulation for air quality is probably the most important aspect." - Professor Stefano SchiavonKEYWORDS#EnergyEfficiency #OccupantHealth #ThermalComfort #IndoorAirQuality #HVACDesign

Dustin Poppendieck is an environmental engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He received his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. He is a fellow of the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). Dustin has been investigating indoor air chemistry since 2002. Most of his efforts have involved characterizing primary emission sources and heterogeneous reactions at material surfaces. He has investigated emissions from kerosene can lamps used by nearly a billion people throughout the developing world, spray polyurethane foam, non-smoldering cigarette butts and indoor air cleaning devices. In addition, Dustin has studied the disinfection of biologically contaminated building materials (i.e., anthrax) using high concentrations of ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and methyl bromide. Recently, Dustin has been involved in writing and revising standards related to chemistry of portable air cleaners, including ASTM D8625, UL867, ASHRAE 241 and ASHRAE 145.4.

Plan Dulce Host Michelle E. Zuñiga, AICP (she/her) is joined with Cristina Garcia (she/her), founder of Latinxs in Sustainability (LiS) for a live recording at LUGARES 2025, the annual virtual conference focused on bringing diverse Latiné voices across the nation and their contributions to planning in our communities. L.U.G.A.R.E.S. is Latinidad, Unity, Gente, Advocacy, Resiliencia, Equity, Spaces. Raíces Fuertes: Sowing Resilience. Guided by the wisdom passed down through generations, we gather to explore how collective community is a legacy we inherit, cultivate, and sustain —planting the seeds for the future. We are advancing resilience through collaborative creation, acknowledging dónde estábamos (where we have been), dónde estamos (where we are now), and dónde vamos (where we are headed). Together, we will examine how to sustain growth and justice for cities in the face of systemic barriers, climate change, and displacement—grounded in cultura, guided by historia, and committed to acción.Bio and Links:Cristina Garcia (she/her) is a first-generation Latina, native New Yorker, and Founder of Latinxs in Sustainability (LiS), a national nonprofit advancing Latinx leadership in climate and sustainability. Since 2017, LiS has grown to 2,000+ followers, hosted 75+ events, and built programs connecting Latinx students and professionals to mentorship and career opportunities.Cristina works at Con Edison, managing programs that help New Yorkers decarbonize their homes. She previously held roles at the Building Electrification Institute and the NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability, where she launched workforce initiatives for CUNY students. A Certified Energy Manager, Cristina holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Environmental Engineering from City College of New York.Learn more about Latinxs in Sustainability (LiS):https://www.latinxsinsustainability.org/ --------------------------------------Plan Dulce is a podcast by members of the ⁠⁠Latinos and Planning Division⁠ of the American Planning Association⁠. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Want to recommend our next great guests and stay updated on the latest episodes? We want to hear from you! Follow, rate, and subscribe! Your support and feedback helps us continue to amplify insightful and inspiring stories from our wonderfully culturally and professionally diverse community.This episode was conceived, written, edited and produced by Michelle E.  Zuñiga, AICP (she/her) and co-produced by Vidal F. Márquez (he/him).Connect with Plan Dulce and Latinos and Planning:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/plandulcepodcast/ Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LatinosandPlanning/⁠Youtube:Subscribe to Plan Dulce on Youtube LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4294535/⁠X/ Twitter:⁠https://twitter.com/latinosplanapa?lang=en⁠—----

rWotD Episode 3108: Jamila Norman Welcome to random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Thursday, 6 November 2025, is Jamila Norman.Jamila Norman is a first generation American, born in New York to Caribbean parents. She grew up in Queens, New York, then eventually moved, with her family, to Connecticut, and finally to Georgia. Her mother grew up on a family farm in Jamaica, and her father is from Trinidad. She earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Georgia. She is a mother and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:15 UTC on Thursday, 6 November 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Jamila Norman on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Nicole.

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral race, with a pledge to “make America affordable again.”This would include plans to make New York City's buses across the entire network free to ride.But, how feasible would something like this be here in Ireland? Could free buses work in Dublin?Professor at the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Caulfield, joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Matters Microbial #113: Microbes That Swim, Swarm, Stand Up—and ‘Walk' October 24, 2025 Today Dr. Joshua Shrout, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the work of his research team on sociomicrobiology. This includes how bacteria sense a surface, move together in groups, and communicate with one another.   Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Joshua Shrout Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode Here is a wonderful video about the late great Dr. Esther Lederberg.  Here is another article on that same subject. Here is an article about prodigiosin synthesis and Serratia marcescens.   An introduction to the concept of sociomicrobiology. An overview of bacterial swarming.  Here is a wonderful swarming video. An overview of bacterial swimming in liquid. An article about group/social motility in Myxococcus. A fine video explaining the amazing bacterial flagellar motor. An article about Vibrio parahaemolyticus and swarming. An overview of quorum sensing. Bacteria cultivated in the laboratory undergo mutational changes during “domestication.”  Pigments produced by Pseudomonas, including pyoverdin and pyocyanin. An article from Dr. Shrout's laboratory group describing interactions between Pseudomonas and Enterococcus described in this episode. The Type IV pili-based motility system. An article from Dr. Shrout's laboratory describing how Pseudomonas can “walk” on one pole during swarming. Here is a video from Dr. Shrout's laboratory showing Pseudomonas “walking” on their poles. An overview video of the Shrout laboratory's research interests. Dr. Shrout's faculty website. Dr. Shrout's truly beautiful research website. There are wonderful microbial videos there.  Very much worth your time. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Australia holds some of the world's largest deposits of critical minerals, resources that are mined locally but largely exported to China for processing. China currently controls about 90 per cent of global supply chains in this sector. However, a new US-Australia critical minerals and rare earths deal worth AU$13.5 billion (US$8.5 bln) aims to challenge China's dominance in the production of rare earths. In this podcast, we speak with Mohan Yellishetty, an expert from Monash University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who welcomes the move but says that China's stronghold on critical minerals may take a few years to weaken.

Rishee Jain is an engineer and an expert in the built environment – the manmade structures of modern life. The future, Jain says, will be a place where everyone has a safe, comfortable place to live and work, and the built environment adapts in real time to our needs. Jain is now exploring cool roofs that reflect heat to lower indoor temperatures and improve occupants' well-being. We once believed that humans bent infrastructure to our needs, but now we understand how infrastructure changes us, too, Jain tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering'sThe Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Rishee JainConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Rishee Jain, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University.(00:03:50) Focus on Built Urban EnvironmentsRishee Jain shares how early hands-on projects inspired his career.(00:04:51) The Social DimensionWhy infrastructure must account for human behavior and social needs.(00:07:03) How Infrastructure Shapes UsExamples of sidewalks, bike lanes, and design choices influencing wellbeing.(00:09:11) Defining Urban FormDefining urban form as design across buildings, neighborhoods, and cities.(00:10:58) Decision-Makers at Every LevelHow policymakers, communities, and building owners shape design.(00:13:38) Dynamic InfrastructureThe shift from static infrastructure to adaptable, responsive systems.(00:15:19) Levers of ChangeUsing thermal and lighting design as key factors for wellbeing.(00:19:36) Climate & Extreme HeatThe impact of extreme heat on building design and vulnerable communities.(00:23:25) Measuring ImpactStudies using wearables to track the benefits of infrastructure interventions.(00:24:25) Community FeedbackThe optimistic research results on infrastructure interventions.(00:26:18) Retrofitting Old BuildingsChallenges in adapting existing infrastructure with minimal disruption.(00:31:12) Future in a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: hope, infrastructure, research needs, and lessons from history.(00:33:01) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week, a plot of land in North Portland felt a shake, but not one caused by an earthquake, but instead by a machine known as T-Rex. Researchers with Portland State University were simulating a minor quake to test a soil treatment that would fortify the ground from liquefaction. Arash Khosravifar and Diane Moug are both associate professors in Civil and Environmental Engineering at PSU. They both join us to share why their research is important and what they learned from the recent demonstration.

New research from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute is raising questions about the response to toxic air and water from the Salton Sea, and for the communities who live near it.The research highlights gaps in how pollution is measured and addressed, and how it is impacting the health of residents around the Salton Sea.Guest:Isabella B. Arzeno-Soltero, assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCLA

“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers” In today's episode, we are going to talk about a challenging packaged sanitary wastewater treatment plant retrofit. We are thrilled to welcome back our guest Ibrahim Teres, a senior process engineer at EMCO group with 10+ years in the water and wastewater treatment systems design field. Ibrahim was recently elected as the vice chairman for the AZ Water Association's water treatment committee and holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences and a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering. Ibrahim has successfully designed, executed, and started up numerous municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment projects. His expertise spans across diverse sectors including beverage, food processing, and oil & gas industries. Before moving to Arizona, Ibrahim worked on projects located in the middle east and Africa, thus bringing in a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of delivering innovative and effective water treatment solutions to his new role.

Share your Field Stories!Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! On today's episode, we talk with Marilyn Waite, lifelong environmental actionist about Going from Sanitation to Nuclear, Financing the Future, and Climate Curiosity.   Read her full bio below.Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Showtimes: Time - NAEP Member ShoutoutsTime - Nic and Laura dive into marketing yourselfTime - Interview startsTime - Time - Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Marilyn Waite at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynwaiteGuest Bio: Marilyn currently leads the Climate Finance Fund, supported by the Hewlett Foundation and hosted by the European Climate Foundation. Previously, Marilyn led energy and cleantech investments at Village Capital, managed nuclear and renewable energy projects at AREVA (now Orano), and served as a Senior Research Fellow at Project Drawdown, where she led a team to analyze, model, and forecast energy solutions to climate change. Marilyn also worked at the intersection of science and policy at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and in economic development at the United Nations in Madagascar. A multilingual speaker and author of Sustainability at Work: Careers that Make a Difference, Marilyn has addressed audiences across five continents on a number of topics in sustainability, including investing, climate change, water, and energy.Marilyn holds a Master's Degree with distinction in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering (magna cum laude) from Princeton University. Marilyn's vision is a world where sustainability values of social cohesion, environmental consciousness, inter-generational equity, and economic health drive decision-making and business practices.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players.

The Government's updated National Development Plan (NDP) proposes to spend a vast sum of money on capital infrastructure. But beyond three ‘mega projects' there is little detail and the vagueness of the document has led to some skepticism. In part one of today's podcast Pat Leahy joins Hugh Linehan to discuss the NDP and whether the Government's promise to prioritise infrastructure could survive a major economic shock - the kind created by heavy US tariffs, for example, They then look at the Summer Economic Statement, also revealed this week, which shows there will not be much wriggle room in this year's Budget. In part two, back to the NDP and what it says about the Government's plan for the development of transportation infrastructure. Dublin's proposed MetroLink is one of the three mega projects identified, but there is €20 billion earmarked for other unidentified projects. Where should it go? How much will be spent on new roads, and what are the implications for carbon emissions? And what about public transport projects outside Dublin? Professor Brian Caulfield talks to Hugh and Pat. Brian Caulfield is a Professor in Transportation in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Mark Jacobson is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Atmosphere Energy Program at Stanford University, where he's been one of the most vocal advocates for powering the world entirely with wind, water, and solar energy. No nuclear, no carbon capture, no fossil fuels of any kind. His research team has created 100% renewable energy roadmaps for all 50 U.S. states and 149 countries, helping shape policies like New York's clean energy mandate. In this episode, Dr. Jacobson shares his perspective on where we are in the renewables adoption curve and explains why he believes that technologies like nuclear power, carbon capture, and biofuels aren't just unnecessary, they're harmful distractions from the clean energy transition he sees as both achievable and urgent.This conversation may be polarizing. While many will agree with Mark's take on renewables and the grid, his firm rejection of other low-carbon tech challenges mainstream climate thinking. We believe these fault lines are worth exploring, even, or especially, when they make people uncomfortable.Episode recorded on June 30, 2025 (Published on July 15, 2025)In this episode, we cover: ⁠[02:32]⁠ Why proposed tax changes threaten renewables⁠[05:45]⁠ Fossil fuel subsidies vs. renewables support⁠[06:29]⁠ China's rapid clean energy deployment⁠[10:44]⁠ Rooftop solar offsets California's rising demand⁠[12:20]⁠ Home and utility batteries reshaping grid usage⁠[14:40]⁠ Texas grid inefficiencies and renewables progress⁠[18:21]⁠ Combining wind, solar and batteries[19:26]⁠ Land use myths about wind and solar[22:49] Dr. Mark Jacobson's background and research⁠[27:23]⁠ How to phase out existing fossil infrastructure⁠[31:36]⁠ Dr. Jacobson's rejection of carbon capture[36:52] His thoughts on nuclear[42:11] Dr. Jacobson's thoughts on geothermal[46:19] How he sees the next decade unfolding Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Previous episodes in our AI series have focused on the evolving features of artificial intelligence itself: its potential to democratize education and to improve city planning and weather forecasting. In this final installment, we examine its costs: the accelerating resource demands of AI and other data-intensive technologies.  Maya Chari, this year's Ten Across + APM Research Lab data journalism fellow, recently investigated the true water and energy costs associated with data center facilities in the Phoenix metro area— now on track to become the second largest market in the U.S. Though granular industrial data can be difficult to come by, Maya located a report submitted by Microsoft to City of Goodyear officials, stating that one of their proposed data centers would use as much potable water each year as 670 homes. Amplified across the 140 other data centers currently dotting the state of Arizona alone, the scale of such consumption becomes clearer.  As data centers rapidly multiply in response to market demand around the world—often preferring arid places like the water-stressed U.S. Southwest—critical questions are pressed about whether and how such development can be sustained.    In back-to-back conversations in this episode, we'll hear from experts involved in managing and reducing the impact of the physical infrastructure behind our digitized lives. Bobby Olsen, chief planning, strategy, and sustainability executive at the Arizona electric and water utility Salt River Project, describes planning to meet staggering levels of projected energy demand. And Dr. Kerri Hickenbottom, principal investigator at University of Arizona's Hickenbottom Environmental Research Lab, discusses working in concert with the public and private sectors to improve water reuse strategies and overall efficiency of data center operations.  To support our I-10 neighbors' disaster recovery in Central Texas this week:  Kerr County Flood Relief Fund  Related articles and resources:  “At Amazon's Biggest Data Center, Everything is Supersized for A.I.” (The New York Times, June 2025)  “Are Data Centers Depleting the Southwest's Water and Energy Resources?” (American Public Media Research Lab, February 2025) “Thirst for power and water, AI-crunching data centers sprout across the West” (Stanford University, April 2025)  “'I can't drink the water' —life next to a US data center” (BBC, July 2025)  “Meta is building a new data center in Louisiana—and this Senate committee wants to know why it's being powered by gas (exclusive)” (Fast Company, May 2025)  “Phoenix ranks as the second-largest data center market in the U.S.” (AZ Big Media, March 2024)  Credits:  Host: Duke Reiter  Producer and editor: Taylor Griffith  Music by: Curved Mirror, Hushed, and From Now On  Research and support provided by: Kate Carefoot, Rae Ulrich, and Sabine Butler  About our guests:Bobby Olsen is associate general manager and chief planning, strategy and sustainability executive at the Salt River Project, a public power and water utility in Arizona. Bobby has more than 20 years' experience in energy planning. He also serves on the board of Arizona Forward, a non-profit leading the charge for sustainability in Arizona.  Kerri Hickenbottom is an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona and is principal investigator in the Hickenbottom Environmental Research Lab. Her research focuses on investigating the technical, environmental, and economic potential of novel, engineered systems for resource recovery and reclamation of waste streams.

In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther speaks with Dena Volovar, president of Bechtel's Nuclear Security and Environment Global Business Unit. They discuss Bechtel's extensive role in national security, particularly in managing operations at NNSA labs, and the company's commitment to nuclear power as a sustainable energy solution. Dena shares insights on the challenges faced in nuclear facility management, the transition from private to public sector projects, and the future of nuclear engineering careers. The conversation highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in the nuclear industry.Dena Volovar is President of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security & Environmental (NS&E) global business unit. She has more than 26 yearsof experience in project management, operations, business development, and engineering. Her current portfolio includes the oversight of U.S. and allied government projects and nuclear power projects with missions focused on ensuring the world is cleaner, safer and more secure.Bechtel's NS&E global business unit encompasses all the company's government contracts including work for the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, and NASA, as well as nuclear power projects worldwide.Prior to her current role, Dena served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of NS&E's Environmental and Security business line. She managed oversight of government projects, operating sites, and national laboratories focused on nuclear security and nuclear wastemanagement for the U.S. Department of Energy. Previously, Dena served as the Manager of Functions for NS&E and was responsible for all of the people, processes, and execution in the areas of engineering, procurement, construction, startup and operations as well as their supporting functions. Dena has held leadership roles on a variety of projects, including project director of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Uranium Processing Facility project, a multi-billion-dollar complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for processing highly enriched uranium for U.S. nuclear defense and naval nuclear propulsion. She also served as project manager of the Sabine Pass Liquified Natural Gas facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana and operations manager for all of Bechtel's nuclear operating plant services.Dena was elected a Bechtel senior vice president in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland and is a Project Management Professional. She is the chair of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an executive committee board member of the Nuclear Energy Institute.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org

In this episode of NucleCast, Jim Howe interviews Brian D'Andrea, CEO of TechSource, discussing the company's significant role in supporting America's nuclear security enterprise. They explore TechSource's growth, employee ownership, and the importance of retaining critical skills in the nuclear field. Brian shares insights into the company's project management approach, workforce development initiatives, and strategic partnerships that enhance their capabilities. Brian D'Andrea is an entrepreneurial leader and senior executive with proven experience creating early profitability in a start-up, driving continued growth, and sustaining operations through strategic oversight. As the CEO and Chairman of the Board of TechSource, Inc., Mr. D'Andrea believes that people are as important as profit margins since people drive business success. His unique abilities in bridging technical and management requirements, creating agile management teams, and empowering his staff to create innovative and implementable solutions to complex problems result in consistent success.Since joining TechSource, Mr. D'Andrea has lead corporate growth from $2M to over $34M per year while remaining debt-free and operating socially responsibly. His approach to corporate governance of high technology companies is grounded in decades of technical and management experience in aviation systems, nuclear sciences, accelerator technologies, non-proliferation, systems engineering and integration, and safety and security. His practical technical experience supports his performance of fiduciary and strategic oversight, including corporate strategy, planning, and execution; business transformation and restructuring; investment in emerging technologies; recruitment of key personnel; and strategic partnerships.In addition to TechSource, Mr. D'Andrea has held leadership positions in Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and the U.S. Navy. His management experience spans major programs at the Navy, the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, national laboratories, and the Navajo Nation Public Safety Division.Mr. D'Andrea has a Masters of Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelors in General Engineering from the Naval Academy, and certification in Lean Manufacturing from the University of Michigan. He holds a Project Management Professional certification and numerous other qualifications/trainings in management, emergency preparedness, FEMA, and DOD.He is a former Chairman of Leadership Los Alamos and a current board member of the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. Mr. D'Andrea was also a Naval Flight Officer and holds his private pilot's license. He lives in Los Alamos, NM with his wife Dana and their children, and enjoys spending his free time with them.To learn more about Mr. D'Andrea, go to his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-brian-d-andrea-8a8a6Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org

Chef Clara Park: Eat Cetera & The Cinema Chefs PodcastClara discussed her various projects, including her partnership with Drexel University where she offers recreational cooking classes on weekends, and her podcast " The Cinema Chefs" which is recording its final episode of season one. They cover food scenes from movies, with topics ranging from specific foods to special occasion dining. With her passion for culinary education, Clara believes in highlighting how foods can improve people's health, save them money, and help build a fuller sense of community. She also discussed the importance of teaching basic cooking skills to empower people and change their lives, noting that many lack foundational culinary knowledge.Ayesha Dolasa & Noble MushroomsAmaris welcomed Ayesha Dolasa who owns Noble Mushrooms along with her husband, Jacob. With a background in Environmental Engineering and her husband's entrepreneurial spirit, Ayesha explained the science behind mushroom cultivation, emphasizing the importance of sterile conditions for growing safe and healthy mushrooms. Ayesha also shared information about different types of mushrooms, including the cultivation, health benefits, and culinary uses behind some of their products, like Lion's Mane and Cordyceps mushrooms. She mentioned Noble Mushrooms' grow kits and classes, as well as their online presence and market locations.Chef David Feola: Culinary Journey & Corio Amaris interviewed David Feola, whose culinary career began in New York City after initially pursuing film school. David shared his journey from working in prestigious kitchens like Veritas, Gramercy Tavern, and Jean-Georges to helping to open Vernick and working in Ember & Ash in Philly. He highlighted the challenges of breaking into the competitive New York City restaurant scene and the pivotal role of personal connections in his career advancement.Chef David explained the concept and atmosphere of his new restaurant, Corio.  He emphasized that he and his partners wanted Corio to be an approachable, casual dining experience while maintaining high culinary standards. He described the menu as innovative, featuring their innovative takes on dishes; like creating clams in white wine sauce as a pizza and a mushroom-based chopped cheese sandwich called Mushroom Duxelle. Corio is currently serving lunch and dinner, and currently offers cocktails through neighboring business Two Locals Brewing; full catering services and their wine and cocktails program are still in development. Related Links:https://claraparkcooks.comhttps://www.eatceteraphilly.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thecinemachefs/https://www.noblemushrooms.comhttps://www.njmyco.orghttps://nofanj.orghttps://www.coriophilly.comhttps://www.cooknsolo.comhttps://www.hearthsidebyob.comhttps://www.bondfiremediaco.comhttps://www.twolocalsbrewing.com

On the latest episode of the best podcast in higher education, the #GINNing Gang mixes it up with concrete crackerjack Stanton Freeman, a kudos-collecting graduate student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and husband to Morgan Freeman — that Morgan Freeman. 

Guest: Dr. Brian Bledsoe, University of GeorgiaWhen a hurricane makes landfall, we expect the strongest impacts to hit the coast. But Hurricane Helene proved that the story doesn't end there. With hurricane-force winds reaching more than 350 miles inland, this storm challenged the way we think about extreme weather risk. Are we truly prepared for the full reach of a hurricane, not just this decade but for centuries to come? Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dr. Brian Bledsoe from the University of Georgia, who is an expert on infrastructure and making future building more resilient. There are many opportunities to build back better, smarter, and safer after these events happen, and hopefully strive to not have to rebuild in the same places over and over. From infrastructure challenges to communication gaps, we'll explore what needs to change to keep these communities—both coastal and inland—safe.Chapters00:00 Understanding Hurricane Helene's Impact04:58 Assessing Infrastructure Resilience15:11 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene28:02 Addressing Multiple Natural Disasters40:00 The Importance of Comprehensive Infrastructure PlanningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we had the pleasure of hosting our good friend Dr. Ken Medlock, Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and Senior Director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University's Baker Institute. Ken joined the Rice University faculty in 2004 and holds adjunct professor appointments in the Department of Economics and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in addition to serving as director of the Master of Energy Economics program. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, and a sought-after voice on Capitol Hill, at OPEC, and in the media. The Baker Institute plays a key role in shaping energy policy debates in both the U.S. and globally and we were thrilled to welcome Ken to hear his latest insights on today's evolving energy landscape. In our discussion, we explore oil market dynamics and pricing, Middle East geopolitical complexity, Kuwait's production expansion plans, U.S. policy, including how recent grant eliminations impact the economics of carbon capture projects, as well as the importance of distinguishing short-term volatility from long-term energy strategy. We review the current state of carbon capture technology, with high costs remaining a significant barrier, the potential long-term opportunity to convert captured CO2 into valuable products, the potential impact of rolling back EPA emission rules on future generation mix, and how strong electricity demand growth will require all types of generation to meet future needs. Ken shares his perspective on the importance and challenges of coordination across U.S. energy agencies, the critical importance of supply chain resilience, how geopolitical risk premiums shape oil markets, and potential market impact if Iran advances its nuclear capabilities. We cover potential disruptions to energy flow through the Strait of Hormuz, the roles of the U.S. and Israel in Middle East tensions, OPEC+'s decision to accelerate production, low global inventories, and the Baker Institute's growth and expansion across ten programs. We also touch on the interconnectedness of energy and other sectors, the need to re-educate on supply chain dynamics, the intersection of energy infrastructure and disaster preparedness, evolving student interest in energy at Rice, and much more. It was a fantastic and wide-ranging conversation spanning many critical aspects of energy today. Mike Bradley kicked off the show by noting that the S&P 500 has rallied back to within 2% of its all-time high, while the S&P 500 Volatility (VIX) is hovering near YTD lows, which is a dangerous combination. U.S. equity markets appear to be largely driven by the ups/downs of Trump's “Big Beautiful Budget Bill” and tariff negotiations. On the bond side, the U.S. 10-year bond yield (4.45%) has traded sideways so far this week, but that could shift quickly given that several key economic reports are on deck this week, which also could go a long way in determining what the FED does at their June 18th FOMC Rate Decision Meeting. From a crude oil market standpoint, WTI price has recently surged to ~$65/bbl which has caught oil traders by surprise. The front-end of the WTI curve is trading in backwardation, while the back end of the curve is in contango, mostly due to a substantial global S/D surplus that's expected beginning in Q4'25. Last week, OPEC+ agreed to raise July production by ~0.4mmbpd (total 3mo production increase of ~1.2mmbpd), but these “stated” production increases are much higher than “actual” barrels that have entered the market, which is beginning to raise questions around OPEC's “real” spare production capacity. He further noted that Canadian wildfires, Iran nuclear deal delays, and the plunge in U.S. oil rig count (~40 rigs) over the last two months have all combined to move WTI price higher. He ended by highlighting that the EIA released its Short-Term Energy Outlook report this week, which forecasted that U.S. cru

How do you stay motivated, ethical, and impactful in engineering—even when everything around you is changing? On this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant talks with Dr. Emily Grubert, a nationally respected researcher in infrastructure and energy systems at Notre Dame. They cover how engineers can adapt to shrinking grant funding, political resistance to climate policy, and a changing professional landscape—while staying true to their mission. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for building a future-ready engineering career, grounded in ethics, resilience, and real-world value.

How do you stay motivated, ethical, and impactful in engineering—even when everything around you is changing? On this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant talks with Dr. Emily Grubert, a nationally respected researcher in infrastructure and energy systems at Notre Dame. They cover how engineers can adapt to shrinking grant funding, political resistance to climate policy, and a changing professional landscape—while staying true to their mission. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for building a future-ready engineering career, grounded in ethics, resilience, and real-world value.

Dr. Edward DeLong is a Professor in the Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawai'i Mānoa as well as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. Research in Ed's lab brings together a variety of disciplines to study microbial communities in the ocean. He is interested in their ecology, evolution, biochemistry, genomics, and their impacts on marine systems. Particularly of interest for Ed are the microscopic organisms that are the primary producers or “forests of the ocean” responsible for releasing oxygen and serving as food for other organisms in marine food chains. When he's not working, Ed loves to be out in nature. He enjoys spending time outside with his family, hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling in the beautiful coral reefs near his house. Ed has also taken up yoga to help him stay limber and relaxed. Ed received his B.S. in Bacteriology from the University of California, Davis and his Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Afterwards, he conducted postdoctoral research at Indiana University. Ed has worked as a research scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, a faculty member at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a research scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and a faculty member at MIT before accepting his current position in Hawai'i. His honors and achievements include the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, the DuPont Young Faculty Award, the Apple Bioinformatics Cluster Award, the Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky Medal of the European Geosciences Union, the Proctor and Gamble Award in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology D.C. White Research and Mentorship Award, the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award, A.G. Huntsman Medal for Excellence in Marine Science, and the Moore Foundation Marine Microbiology Investigator Award. Ed is also an Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Microbiology. Ed has also been elected as an Associate of the European Molecular Biology Organization and is the Vice President and President Elect of the International Society of Microbial Ecology. In addition, he currently serves as the co-director of the Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE). Ed joined us for a conversation about his experiences in life and science.