Marilyn S
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Cornell University
Expertise
Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Leadership, Graduate school application, interview and career fair prep, Engineering
Bio
Marilyn Smith is a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University in Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in water resources engineering. She is passionate about leveraging science and engineering to address global challenges, including water availability, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. Marilyn’s research explores how natural hazards and human activities impact critical water systems, empowering communities to make informed decisions about their water resources. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University, where her work revealed how tropical cyclones influence hazardous material pipeline failures, highlighting the increasing risks posed by intensifying storms. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, where she developed innovative strategies for water treatment and contamination mitigation. Outside the lab, Marilyn enjoys outdoor adventures, exploring new cuisines, and inspiring environmental stewardship through science communication. She believes in the transformative power of education and is excited to share her love of research with the next generation of problem-solvers. Fun fact: cookies and cream ice cream is her go-to treat for celebrating breakthroughs and unwinding after a long day!Project ideas
Exploring Climate and Water Resource Connections
Climate patterns significantly affect water availability and quality. In this project, students will learn how to analyze weather and climate data, such as rainfall or temperature trends, and explore their impacts on local water resources. Using freely available datasets, they’ll clean and visualize data using tools like Excel or Python. The final product could be a research paper discussing findings, a creative infographic, or even a short video explaining the implications of their analysis.
Designing a Sustainable Solution for Water Scarcity
Water scarcity is a pressing global issue. Students will explore real-world challenges in water management and use the engineering design process to develop a sustainable solution, such as a rainwater harvesting system or a simple water filtration prototype. The project involves brainstorming, researching existing methods, and creating a model or visual concept of their solution. Outcomes could include a detailed research paper, a presentation at a symposium, or a creative video showcasing their idea.