You’re starting at Dow Chemicals after graduation. Where will that be based? What will that role involve?

I will be based in Lake Jackson, Texas, where I will be joining Dow’s Process and Catalysis R&D division. My work will focus on developing processes that enable plastic circularity at scale, including more efficient and economical approaches to plastics production-recycling loops.

Did your education, internships, and other experiences help prepare you for this role? 

Absolutely. My PhD work at Georgia Tech helped me develop the mindset I will need at Dow: approaching problems through both fundamental science and real-world feasibility. My research was highly multidisciplinary and allowed me to apply several chemical engineering concepts to evaluate how lab-scale ideas could translate into practical chemical production pathways. This connects directly to my role at Dow, where developing processes for plastic circularity will require turning promising technical ideas into scalable and impactful solutions.

My internship at Linde Engineering, along with the ones during my undergraduate studies, further exposed me to process development, plant data, and how large-scale plants are operated, optimized, and made more efficient. Together, these experiences will help me approach R&D problems with a practical, application-driven perspective geared towards future deployment.

Who was your advisor and what was that relationship like?

My thesis advisor is Professor Sankar Nair. He has been an incredible mentor who gave me the freedom to explore my own ideas while always pushing me to think more deeply and aim higher. I am very grateful for his guidance, support, and the perspective he brought to my research. His mentorship helped me grow as a researcher and set the foundation for the next step in my career at Dow. 

What was the focus of your doctoral dissertation?

My doctoral dissertation focused on developing processes and fundamental insights for producing essential chemicals, such as ethylene and synthesis gas, from CO₂ captured from air. These chemicals are currently produced primarily from fossil resources and together account for about 2% of global annual CO₂ emissions; ethylene is a key building block for plastics such as polyethylene, while synthesis gas is used to produce methanol and aviation fuel. 

My work explored a future where ubiquitous feedstocks such as air, combined with renewable electricity, can be used to produce these vital chemicals more sustainably, with the goal of designing pathways that could reduce overall carbon emissions by more than 95%. To identify the key bottlenecks and solutions needed to improve energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, my research combined electrochemical conversion, separations, process modeling, machine learning, and techno-economic analysis to connect fundamental science with industrially relevant process design.

What kinds of leadership roles and other activities did you participate in while at Tech?

During my time at Georgia Tech, I served as co-chair of the ChBE Grad Research Symposium and the Grad Recruitment Weekend organizing committee, as well as treasurer of AChEGS, the ChBE grad student organization. These roles gave me the opportunity to work with diverse groups of students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners, and helped me develop my delegation, collaboration, teamwork, communication, and contingency planning skills. One of the most rewarding parts of these experiences was being able to contribute to the broader ChBE community while helping create spaces for students to connect, collaborate, and support one another. Outside of these roles, I enjoyed participating in the Georgia Tech auto shows, being part of the GT Archery Club, and playing cricket at the North Avenue Research Area.

How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?

Georgia Tech provided me access to a wide range of resources in one place, from advanced characterization techniques and modeling tools to software that supported both my research and scientific communication. I rarely had to look outside the institute to find what I needed, which made it easier and faster to move ideas forward. I also benefited from strong support at the lab, department, and institute levels, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other professors, experts, and students. That environment helped improve the quality of my work, deepen my understanding of the science, and ultimately allowed me to go beyond what I had initially imagined for my PhD.

What advice would you give to new students pursuing graduate studies in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech?

I think it is important to stay curious and take advantage of the breadth of opportunities around you. Graduate school can be challenging, so do not hesitate to ask for help, support your peers, and get involved in the ChBE community. I would also encourage new students to think early about their end goals and the broader impact of their work and how their research fits into the larger scientific, industrial, or societal picture. Finally, make time to explore life outside graduate school. Taking breaks, pursuing hobbies, and stepping away from work when needed helped me to improve focus and even lead to new ideas and perspectives.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experiences related to your education? 

I am very grateful for my time at Georgia Tech and for the people who shaped my experience here. One thing I learned is that the sky is the limit if you are willing to stay curious, try new things, and keep going even when things do not work right away. Perseverance was a big part of my PhD — I had months of experiments that failed before they finally started working again. My lab mates, seniors, mentors, and friends became an incredible support system, and they played a huge role in helping me navigate through tough times and grow far beyond what I had imagined when I started.