Resume

• 2010

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  Environmental Engineering

  Michigan Technological University

• 3.3

  BS

  Environmental Engineering

  Lambda Chi Alpha

  University of California

  San Diego

• Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® creates a positive long-lasting impact on children with cancer and their families by providing fun-filled

  medically supervised

  cost-free

  year-round camp programs.

  Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times

  Physics

  Numerical Analysis

  Science

  Programming

  Data Analysis

  C

  Fortran

  Computer Programming

  Simulations

  Chemistry

  Algorithms

  Microsoft Excel

  Optimization

  Research

  University Teaching

  Microsoft Office

  Numerical Approximation

  Matlab

  Modeling

  Process-scale modeling

  CSI RD&D3 Subtask 4.2 Final Report: Sky Imager Forecasts for SDG&E Distribution Feeders

  Ubiratan

  P.

  Hanna

  R.

  Kurtz

  B.

  Brian Seok

  Brie Van Dam

  Laurens Ganzeveld

  Detlev Helmig

  Louisa Kramer

  This paper analyzes measurements and key chemical and physical mechanisms responsible for observed ozone and nitrogen oxides profiles in and above snowpack at Summit

  Greenland with a 1-D process-scale model in March and May of 2009.

  Dynamics of ozone and nitrogen oxides at Summit

  Greenland. III. Temporal Variations of Snowpack Chemistry

  Optimal inverter sizing considering cloud enhancement

  Jennifer Louma

  Jan Kleissl

  Optimal inverter sizing considering cloud enhancement

  Santos Ghimire

  Jennifer O'Niell

  Alicia Sherrin

  Brian Barkdoll

  Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management

  The paper presents the results of a LCA of ductile iron and PVC piping for water distribution systems and analyzes 7 water distribution systems determining which pipes in the systems should be replaced and increased in diameter first in the system to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions.

  Effective-Power-Ranking Algorithm for Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction in Water Distribution Systems through Pipe Enhancement

  Bill Torre

  Kurtz

  B.

  Zheglov

  V.

  Schoene

  J.

  Velay

  M.

  Some potential adverse impacts of high photovoltaics (PV) penetration on the power grid are an increasing number of tap operations

  over-voltages

  and large and frequent voltage fluctuations and PV power ramps. The ability to create realistic PV input profiles with high spatial and temporal resolution is crucial to assess these impacts. This paper proposes a unique method to improve the accuracy of feeder hosting capacity studies using (1) high resolution PV generation profiles from sky imagers

  (2) quasi-steady state distribution system simulation

  and (3) distribution models created from utility data. Solar penetration levels

  defined as ratio of peak PV output to peak load demand

  from 0% to 200% and various cloud conditions are considered. Three conclusions were drawn: (1) the impacts of high PV penetration depend on feeder topology and characteristics; (2) the use of a single PV generation profile overestimates the tap operation number up to 260% resulting from an overestimation of power ramp rates and magnitudes – therefore

  multiple realistic profiles should be used; and (3) distributed PV resources increase the feeder hosting capacity significantly compared to a centralized setup.

  High PV penetration impacts on five local distribution networks using high resolution solar resource assessment with sky imager and quasi-steady state distribution system simulations

  Brian Seok

  Claudia Toro

  Laurens Ganzeveld

  Louisa Kramer

  Detlev Helmig

  Brie Van Dam

  Atmospheric Environment

  This paper presents multi-year observations of nitrogen oxides

  ozone

  and micro-meterological measurements in and above the snowpack at Summit

  Greenland and discusses possible chemical and physical mechanisms responsible for observations.

  Dynamics of ozone and nitrogen oxides at Summit

  Greenland: I. Multi-year observations in the snowpack

  Brian Seok

  Brie Van Dam

  Laurens Ganzeveld

  Detlev Helmig

  Louisa Kramer

  The paper presents a 1-D process-scale model of chemistry and physics for replicating measurements of ozone and nitrogen oxides in and above the snowpack at Summit

  Greenland. The paper analyzes the key chemical and physical mechanisms responsible for observed trends of ozone and nitrogen oxides for April 15th-30th 2009 when a large ozone intrusion event is evident in measurements.

  Dynamics of ozone and nitrogen oxides at Summit

  Greenland. II. Simulating snowpack chemistry during a spring high ozone event with a 1-D process-scale model

  Brian Seok

  Brie Van Dam

  Laurens Ganzeveld

  Detlev Helmig

  Louisa Kramer

  This paper focuses on comparing modeled fluxes of nitrogen oxides from the surface of the snowpack at Summit

  Greenland to measured fluxes made 0-2 feet above the surface of the snowpack in April and May 2009. The paper discusses possible sources of error from the model and flux divergence.

  Dynamics of ozone and nitrogen oxides at Summit

  Greenland. IV. Comparison of Measured Fluxes with Modeled Exchange with Snow

  Coupling sky images with three-dimensional radiative transfer models: a new method to estimate cloud optical depth

  Y. Xie

  M. Sengupta

  L.M. Hinkleman

  Jan .P Kleissl

  Ben Kurtz

  Felipe Mejia

  A method for retrieving cloud optical depth using a ground-based sky imager (USI) is presented.

  Coupling sky images with three-dimensional radiative transfer models: a new method to estimate cloud optical depth

  Keenan

  Murray

  Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

  California State University

  Fullerton

  University of Phoenix

  Michigan Technological University

  Argonne National Laboratory

  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

  University of California

  San Diego

  University of Illinois

  Champaign

  San Diego County Air Pollution Control District

  Cuyamaca College

  La Jolla

  CA

  •Produced and maintained short-term (0-15 minute) operational solar forecasts using a UCSD Whole Sky Imager (USI) for a collaborative study with Maxwell Technologies to test an Ultracapacitor Energy Storage System (UESS). The UESS smoothes solar power output from PV panels at UCSD based upon the operational forecast

  which improved UESS performance compared to a persistence forecast.\n•Collaborated with BMW and Princeton Power Systems personal to develop an algorithm to communicate with a BMW/Princeton Power Systems battery management system used to store renewable energy sources. \n•Maintained weather stations and USIs at UCSD and Los Angeles to allow continuous collection of data to assist our forecasting efforts.\n•Advanced the groups’ solar forecasting code by creating

  debugging

  and updating new algorithms.\n•Assisted Ph.D. students with developing their dissertation research.\n•Supervised two master students with development of their master theses.

  Postdoctoral Researcher - Environmental Engineering

  University of California

  San Diego

  El Cajon

  CA

  •Develop and implement undergraduate-level physics courses/labs focused on linear and rotational kinematics and dynamics

  equilibrium

  work

  energy

  momentum

  gravitation

  simple harmonic motion

  the thermal properties of matter

  thermodynamics

  and electric/magnetic behavior of matter. \n•Participate and contribute in staff development programs/events within the community college district and STEM department.

  Part-time Faculty

  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

  Wageningen-UR

  Assisted in development of a parameterized model of nitrogen oxides and ozone chemistry and physics in snowpack at Summit

  Greenland in parallel with development of a process-scale model presented in my Ph.D. dissertation. Working with both the parameterized and process-scale model broadened my modeling experience and assisted in development of both models. Model results of the parameterized model were presented at the 2013 EGU conference in Vienna

  Austria.

  Visiting Researcher

  Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

  El Cajon

  CA

  I am responsible for developing engineering curriculum and teaching engineering students. As I grow in this role

  I will share more specific descriptions.

  Lead Engineering Instructor

  Cuyamaca College

  Lemont

  IL

  Learned modeling techniques and state of the science for initial development of a process-scale model of nitrogen oxides and ozone snowpack chemistry and physics. Key learning experiences included using a \"pre-processor\" for establishing the chemistry code and solver and modeling of the atmospheric boundary layer. The first version of the process-scale model used in my Ph.D. dissertation was developed during this appointment.

  Visiting Researcher

  Argonne National Laboratory

  Essential Functions: \n1) Examines

  evaluates

  and makes recommendations on approval of the construction and operation of routine industrial and commercial processes and air pollution control equipment

  in accordance with established standards for emissions and control of air contaminants.\n2) Inspects industrial and commercial processes

  equipment

  emission control devices

  operating records and instrumentation to ensure that the installation

  licensing

  and operation of equipment conforms to air pollution control requirements.\n3) Computes and correlates engineering data concerning the installation of basic air pollution control equipment for industrial processes.\n4) Reviews plans and applications and makes recommendations for the control of industrial operations with potential air pollution problems.\n5) Reviews emission inventory reports.\n6) Develops emission factors for industrial processes.\n7) Collects and organizes data for summary reports.\n8) Assists in evaluating and developing air pollution control rules and regulations

  and in preparing recommended revisions to the rules.

  San Diego County Air Pollution Control District

  University of California

  San Diego

  La Jolla

  CA

  Assisted Jan Kleissl's research group with compilation and implementation of the Spherical Harmonic Discrete Ordinate Method radiative transfer model and writing of MATLAB code for forecasting photovoltaic power output based upon meteorological data and sky-imagers.

  Staff Research Associate 2

  Greater San Diego Area

  I was responsible for inspecting

  investigating

  and evaluating air pollution sources to determine compliance with Air Pollution Control District rules and Federal and State laws. Some of the job functions I performed include: 1) Conducting routine inspections of air pollution sources 2) Investigating air pollution complaints 3) Collaborating with other inspectors to perform inspections and investigations 4) Preparing reports and documents related to air quality enforcement. The Air Pollution Control District has provided many educational opportunities resulting in the following certificates:\n•\tCARB #100B Fundamentals of Enforcement – Visible Emissions Evaluation Field Training\n•\tCARB #202 Health and Safety for Air Pollution Control Professionals\n•\tCARB #285 Landfill Gas Control Facilities\n•\tCARB #310 CalEPA Basic Inspector Academy\n•\tEPA/AHERA 40-Hour Asbestos Supervisor Training

  Air Quality Inspector 1

  San Diego County Air Pollution Control District

  •Develop and implemented a master-level course at CSUF focused on environmental research and analysis. The curriculum required students to develop and submit a group NSF proposal

  which prepared students for their own research projects and the environmental studies master-level exit exam.\n•Was a member of the board responsible for grading and evaluating the environmental studies master-level exit exam.

  California State University

  Fullerton

  Michigan Technological University

  Houghton

  MI

  •Assessed data quality of nitrogen oxides

  ozone

  and micrometeorological measurements collected at Summit

  Greenland.\n•Identified

  implemented

  improved

  and analyzed a previously published conceptual model to replicate nitrogen oxides measurements at Summit

  Greenland. This research was the foundation of my Ph.D. dissertation and identified previously unknown key chemical mechanisms of nitrogen oxides production at Summit

  Greenland. \n•Determined optimal pipe replacements and upgrades in seven water distribution systems using complete enumeration with the EPANET model and developed a theoretical approach towards choosing pipe replacements and upgrades in other water distribution systems.\n•Developed and performed academic outreach to local schools about alternative energies with emphasis on microbial fuel cells.\n•Taught 3 semesters of water resources lab that included a 4-week focus on analyzing watersheds with ArcGIS and tutored a class involving water chemistry and chemical processes for 3 years.\n•Ph.D. candidacy exam required knowledge of environmental policy

  such as SDWA

  CERCLA (superfund)

  SARA

  CAA

  CWA

  RCRA

  and PPA.

  Ph.D. Student/Candidate

  Greater San Diego Area

  I develop

  implement

  teach curriculum for the class titled “SCI/256 – People

  Science

  and the Environment”. The class focuses on how people use science to understand and relate to the environment. A few examples of my teaching methods include: 1) Modification of a board game to allow students to explore the decision-making process of using/depleting limited resources 2) A class activity to examine population dynamics related to the stability of ecosystems 3) Interactive handouts used to engage students 4) Student in-class PowerPoint presentations of environmental issues.

  Facilitator

  University of Phoenix

  Champaign

  IL

  •Collected nitrous oxide and microbe enzyme activity measurements from the soil of a soybean field during and after rain simulations. \n•The results of the field study supported previous findings identifying a unique emissions pattern of nitrous oxide from agricultural fields during and after rain events and are part of a colleagues Ph.D. dissertation.

  Visiting Researcher

  University of Illinois

  Champaign

  English

  S-STEM Scholarship 2010-2012

  I was awarded a S-STEM scholarship for 2 years allowing me to pursue research outside of my dissertation focus.

  Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year 2010-2011

  I was voted by my students as the TA of the year for the 2010-2011 school year. During this time period I was a TA for (1) Introduction to Environmental Engineering (2) Introduction to Environmental Engineering for Civil Engineers (3) Water Resources Lab

  USA Rugby All American Academic 2011-2012

  I was acknowledged by USA rugby for my contributions to the Michigan Tech. rugby team on the pitch and my academic success off the pitch.