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.
Camila Castaneda Calzada
ESS Sustainable Water Systems – Sustainable Systems/Environmental Engineering
Camila is currently pursuing an MSE in Environmental Engineering and an MS in Sustainable Systems. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2024 with a BS in Environmental Science. After graduation, she worked full-time as an Assistant Water Resources Specialist for the South Bay’s water district and part-time as a Water Chemistry Technician at the California Academy of Sciences, strengthening her expertise in water chemistry, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
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.
Louis King
ESS Sustainable Design and Manufacturing–Sustainable Systems and Mechanical Engineering
Louis graduated from UC San Diego in 2024 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Renewable Energy and Environmental Flows, and minoring in Climate Change Studies. During his undergraduate studies, he completed two internships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. At NREL, he worked on optimizing concentrating solar power plants through aiming and layout of mirrors. He then modeled and explored new designs for ground-source heat pumps in cold climates. At UM, Louis is interested in exploring the sociotechnical aspects of the clean energy transition, as well as developing marine renewable energy technology. In his free time, he enjoys music, climbing, hiking, playing volleyball, and going to trivia with his friends.
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.
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.