Meet Marissa!
Sophomore, Major: Mechanical, Minor: Biosystems
A little about me...
I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I started my freshman year as Engineering Undecided. I initially had a hard time trying to find the right path in engineering for me because I'm interested in everything: from art history to medicine, from vector calculus to economics. What helped me decide? Engineering 102A/B (a first-semester requirement that exposes students to the 14 different engineering majors at U of A) and my engineering advisors (they helped me customize my degree by adding a minor in biosystems engineering).
Check out what I'm involved in:
Society of Women Engineers
I'm the Fundraising Chair and I'm also in charge of SWE's booth at Spring Fling, the largest student run carnival in the US! SWE is great for girls (and guys!) to get professional experience like interviewing do's and don'ts and also to socialize at meetings (and yoga sessions).
Intramural Soccer
I grew up playing soccer and I was so excited to be able to play with new friends in college. I play indoor and outdoor soccer, but there are plenty of other sports including inner tube water polo, volleyball, basketball, and bubble soccer!
Study Abroad
Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to study abroad if you're an engineering major. U of A offers over 150 different programs for students to browse through and find the right program that fits each student's needs. I will be studying at King's College London this summer!
Career Paths That Interest Me
Art Conservation
Famous art works like da Vinci's "The Last Supper" and Michelangelo's "Sistine Chapel" have lasted centuries, but will deteriorate without proper care. Advancements in heating and cooling systems can help preserve these priceless masterpieces.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201506/#/22
Smart Cities
My favorite city is Barcelona not only for the culture, but also for its innovative advancements toward becoming the first smart city. Through eco-friendly modes of transportation to public park sprinkler sensors to city apps and renewable energy sources, Barcelona is improving quality of life while helping the environment.
Sustainable Agriculture
I attended the Milan Expo in the summer of 2015 and saw how hundreds of countries are adopting a greener approach to how they grow, eat, and dispose of food. This is where my biosystems engineering minor gets put to good use!
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.expo2015.org/en/&prev=search
Favorite Engineering Innovation At The Moment
The Ecodyger is an Italian-made commercial composter that reduces the volume of your organic waste by 75% or more, and therefore reduces the amount of waste you send to already-overflowing landfills every year. This technology turns your organic waste (biodegradable foods and products) into a usable, nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Ecodyger Pro