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The Research Associate Spotlights and Mentor Profiles will be published quarterly to showcase what our research associates are learning and their valuable contributions to energy research at NETL. In addition, we will highlight the important role the Lab’s researchers play in guiding them toward success. Click on the links below to learn more!
NETL’s research associates are selected from an elite pool of candidates and represent the best and brightest in their fields. Our program participants are eager to learn and excited to make an impact in the energy industry. The research associates represent a diverse set of individuals from the United States and over 25 countries. These participants are the key to securing our nation’s energy future and advancing energy technology.
Name: Preom Sarkar
Hometown: Hatfield, Pennsylvania
Education: Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from Lehigh University (2018) and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (2019). Currently pursuing a doctorate in environmental engineering at CMU.
Research Project: Water Management of Power Systems Task 6.0 – Biological Treatment of FGD Effluent Streams
Name: Djuna Gulliver
Position: Research scientist – Geomicrobiology
How long have you been at NETL? 12 years
How long have you been a mentor to research associates? 8 years
Name: Fei Xue
Hometown: Hebei Province, China
Education: PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering (minor in Computational Science) from the Pennsylvania State University, and bachelor degree in Physics from Nanjing University
Research Project: Mechanical degradation modeling of materials used in energy application
Name: Michael Buric
Position: Staff Scientist, Functional Materials Team, Research and Innovation Center
How long have you been at NETL? 10 years
How long have you been a Mentor to Research Associates? More than 6 years
Name: Kristyn Johnson
Hometown: Williamson, West Virginia
Education:
Research Project: Combustion feature characterization using real-time computer vision diagnostics within a rotating detonation engine (RDE)
Name: Don Ferguson
Position: Research mechanical engineer, principal investigator for Pressure Gain Combustion Project
How long have you been at NETL? 19 years
How long have you served as a mentor for research associates? Since 2008
“I would advise potential candidates/future research associates to be prepared to challenge yourself, ask questions, and most importantly, have fun. Everyone—from the researchers to the staff members—are always willing to help, so come curious and stay committed.”
-James Egbu, 2018 PIP and former MLEF participant
“The projects I have collaborated on have pushed me intellectually and taught me to think outside the box. I have had the chance to publish peer-reviewed papers, contribute to writing research grant proposals and produce technical reports, all of which have professional benefits for life after my internship. Additionally, I have had several opportunities to present papers at conferences and develop my public speaking skills while also developing a professional network of peers.”
-Jake Nelson, 2019 PGRP
“I plan on recommending this program and place to others in my department at my university. This program is first class in its treatment of students and opportunity for cutting-edge research.”
-Kirk Kinard, 2019 MLEF
“This project was very interesting to me because it was a very direct application of my chemical engineering degree, and it challenged me to develop my problem solving skillsets in ways I would've never been able to learn in the classroom.”
-Kaylee Smith, 2018 MLEF
