Below are profiles of current ESS students. Please also check out our alumni page!
Yahia Ali
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Mechanical Engineering
Yahia graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Environmental Engineering, where he worked on campus sustainability projects through the UW EcoCar team and the UW Campus Sustainability Fund. After graduation, he joined PAE Consulting Engineers, contributing to sustainable mechanical design and clean energy integration across large-scale built environment projects.At Michigan, Yahia is developing expertise in energy systems optimization with a focus on the intersection of technology, policy, and sustainability. He is particularly interested in innovating new clean energy technologies and advancing energy systems to support sustainable development in emerging economies. Outside of school, he enjoys basketball, photography, and watching movies.
Owen Baldwin
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Environmental Engineering
Owen graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with two bachelors; one in Environmental Science and the other in Geoscience. Before he started graduate school at the University of Michigan (2021-2024), Owen was an Environmental Scientist working on Watershed Planning and Design projects out of Iowa City. Owen’s work included river restoration, GIS mapping, riparian restoration, and stormwater practice design and implementation. Additional responsibilities include fluvial geomorphology, controlled burning, prairie restoration, wetland delineation, and grant writing. His current interests include working towards the development and enhancement of green energy and improving sustainable systems across the nation. . Other interests include hiking, camping, slack-lining, playing cello, gymnastics, and hammocking.
Magdalia Campobasso
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Mechanical Engineering
Magdalia graduated from Penn State University in 2021 where she studied Engineering Science
with a minor in Engineering Mechanics. She previously worked as an engineer at a
manufacturing startup in Kenya and then at PV Evolution Labs, where she conducted reliability
testing on solar panels. She has also been professionally involved in wildlife conservation in
Central America as a consultant for the Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance. Throughout her time in
the ESS program, Magdalia has been active in research in the Center for Sustainable. As a
member of the project Life cycle carbon footprint analysis and improvement strategies for US
maple syrup production, she participated in the development of a carbon footprint calculator for maple syrup production and wrote a thesis on carbon sequestration in maple sugarbushes. She is also conducting life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis of an electro-fermentation system for turning organic waste into sustainable fuel inputs being trialed at the campus farm. Magdalia is passionate about circular economy, sustainable building materials, and renewable energy, and is excited to put her skills from the ESS program to use in the next phase of her career.
Spencer Checkoway
Civil Engineering/Sustainable Systems PhD
Spencer graduated from Bard College with a BA in Physics and Architecture in 2022. While there, he worked in the gravitational optics lab researching defect detection in interferometry set-ups for black hole measurements. Using techniques in optical engineering, his senior thesis focused on using optical systems to enhance algal biofuel production. With a focus on energy systems engineering and planning, he came to the University of Michigan and graduated with a dual master’s degree in 2024 from the ESS program in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Systems, where his thesis used LCA and TEA methods for a carbon footprinting and abatement analysis of the US maple syrup industry. Spencer is currently a joint PhD student in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Systems working with Greg Keoleian and Neda Masoud on hydrogen fuel infrastructure planning and optimization for multi-sector decarbonization. Outside of school, Spencer is a member of the University of Michigan Weightlifting team and is an avid Red Sox fan.
Michael Ettlinger
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems – Sustainable Systems/Energy Systems Engineering
Michael graduated from the University of Florida in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, minors in Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Studies, and certificates in Artificial Intelligence and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Honors Scholar Program. Through UF’s University Scholars Program, he researched trends in Florida’s reclaimed water chemistry as his honors thesis and is in the process of seeing that project through to publication. UF also allowed him to develop his passion for volunteer work, where he served as a volunteer for the Community Weatherization Coalition, Food Recovery Network, Engineers Without Borders Nepal Team, and as Service Chair for the Alpha Zeta professional fraternity. Michael has continued his volunteer work at U-M through involvement with three project teams: the Global CO₂ Initiative Project SAPPHIRE, BLUElab Woven Wind, and M-HEAL The Initiative. He is also the founder of food waste donation nonprofit ServemUp, Michigan Hydrogen Club, Climate Tech Unified at the University of Michigan, co-president of Michigan Carbon Capture, and is a 2025 OpenMinds NextGen Leaders Fellow, where he serves as the Fervo Energy Geothermal Project Team Lead. Michael is especially interested in the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship through the U-M Center for Entrepreneurship. While his interest in sustainability is continually expanding, the fields of renewable energy technologies and carbon capture are most fascinating to Michael due to their climate change mitigation potential. In his free time, Michael enjoys fitness, traveling, hiking, and remembering Oneness.
Nathaniel Hodgson
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Energy Systems Engineering
Chen-Hao Kao
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Chemical Engineering
Chen-Hao Kao graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry and is currently pursuing an MSE in Chemical Engineering and an MS in Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. In graduate school, his research focuses on green hydrogen ecosystem planning and renewable energy integration. Before graduate school, Chen-Hao worked at LanXess in Ontario, where he optimized production processes and developed new formulations for petroleum-free lubricants. At Academia Sinica in Taiwan, he conducted catalyst and carbon material research aimed at achieving carbon neutrality through selective hydrogenation and renewable feedstocks. Combining his chemical engineering expertise with systems-level sustainability analysis, Chen-Hao aims to advance low-carbon technologies that bridge industrial innovation and environmental responsibility.
Charlie Lenk
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems – Sustainable Systems/Mechanical Engineering
Charlie is pursuing an MS in sustainable systems and an MSE in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated from The Ohio State University in May 2024 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. There, he completed an undergraduate thesis on the topic of computational modeling of novel small-scale hydropower turbine designs as part of the OSU Hydro and Aero Energy Group. During his undergrad, Charlie developed an interest in clean energy. This led to him attending the University of Michigan starting in August 2024, so that he could develop expertise in the optimization of energy systems through an educational and collaborative environment focused on sustainability, systems thinking, and continued technical understanding of energy systems. Charlie has an interest in working to help ensure a smooth transition towards the use of clean energy and accompanying technologies in the U.S. as part of efforts to decarbonize our energy sources. In his free time, Charlie enjoys running, hiking, cooking, and watching movies.
Menglin (Cody) Lyu
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems—Sustainable Systems/Chemical Engineering
Menglin (Cody) Lyu is a dual Master’s student in Sustainable Systems and Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. His academic and project work focuses on sustainable energy systems, clean fuel technologies, and ESG analytics. He has experience in modeling low-carbon fuels, conducting environmental risk assessment, and supporting data-driven process optimization. Cody aims to integrate engineering, sustainability strategy, and financial analysis to support the transition to low-carbon energy and industrial systems.
Emma Noraian
ESS Sustainable Water Systems – Sustainable Systems/ Civil Engineering
Emma is pursuing an M.S. in Sustainable Systems and an M.S.E. in Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan. She graduated in 2022 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she majored in Civil & Environmental Engineering and Environmental Studies with certificates (minors) in Leadership and International Engineering. In undergrad, she worked in the Loheide Hydroecology Lab studying the appearance of new lakes and increasing lake areas in South Central Wisconsin. Emma is currently pursuing ESS part-time while working as a civil engineer at SmithGroup, an interdisciplinary sustainability-minded architecture and engineering design firm in Ann Arbor, MI. She is passionate about water resources engineering, green infrastructure, renewable energy, and using engineering to make the world a better and more sustainable place. She feels there can be a positive relationship between the built environment and nature if designed thoughtfully and sustainably! She enjoys thrift shopping, outdoor activities, and traveling.
Aditya Swarnkar
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems – Sustainable Systems/ Mechanical Engineering
Hello! I was born in India and raised in the UAE, where I’ve spent most of my life. I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in mechanical engineering and have work experience as an intern in a lean manufacturing role and as a solar designer. During my time at MSU, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Lin Research Laboratory. My research focused on “Strain-Induced Crystallization on Ideal Network Elastomers with Topological Defects” and their application in Elastocaloric Cooling, a futuristic sustainable cooling alternative. I’m deeply passionate about the green energy transition and decarbonization. When I’m not diving into sustainable solutions, you can find me playing recreational sports. I also never miss a chance to kick around a soccer ball, and I’m a huge FC Barcelona fan. Over the years I’ve developed a serious case of wanderlust and love exploring new cultures whenever possible.
Yiming Tan
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems – Sustainable Systems/ Environmental Engineering
My name is Yiming Tan. I earned my bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington, majoring in environmental science and terrestrial resources management. I am mostly interested in GIS and sustainable finance. I enjoy taking photos, watching and playing soccer and various sports during my spare time.
Jacob Cieply
ESS Sustainable Energy Systems – Sustainable Systems/Mechanical Engineering
Jacob is pursuing an MS in Sustainable Systems and an MSE in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan with a planned graduation date of December 2027. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2021 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Music. While pursuing his bachelor’s, Jacob was involved with the Michigan Concrete Canoe Team, serving as Hull Design Lead and Captain. When he graduated, Jacob became the lead on NSF’s I-Corps project, working to develop a business plan for the DLMO Device, a research project on which he worked during his undergraduate degree. Jacob joined Remora, the world’s only mobile carbon capture company as their first employee and worked at Remora for more than four years. Jacob is pursuing his degree full time and is passionate about creating equitable and beneficial systems in a changing environment. In his free time, Jacob likes to run and read.
Emma Welsh
ESS Sustainable Water Systems – Aquatic Sciences/Environmental Engineering
Emma is pursuing an MS in aquatic sciences and an MSE in environmental engineering. Originally from Fremont, Michigan, she graduated from Xavier University in 2024 with a degree in environmental science. Her academic interests include hydrology, aquatic ecology, and the sustainable management of water resources. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
Rebekah Ludema
ESS Sustainable Water Systems – Sustainable Systems/Environmental Engineering
Rebekah graduated from Hope College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Before she started graduate school at the University of Michigan, Rebekah was an assistant civil engineer working on transmission lines. From this work, she gained experience in 3D modeling, calculations, package coordination, and client communication. Rebekah is now most interested in restoration, conservation, and remediation for her future work. In her free time, she likes to read, play board/card games, try new restaurants, hike, craft, and watch TV shows.