Category: Staff Profiles

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Meet April Janssen

April Janssen is a Sustainability Specialist at ISTC’S Oak Brook Office, where she works with businesses and communities improve their waste management practices.

How old were you when you first became interested in sustainability? What sparked your interest?
Growing up in Wisconsin on a river, I’ve always had a connection to nature and sustainability. I recall saving my modest childhood allowance to adopt an acre of rainforest through the Nature Conservancy so I could somehow be part of this wonderous ecosystem. Living in Chicago that has manifested to personal actions, studying and professionally pursing sustainability.

Who or what drew you to study sustainability?
While initiating and growing the Chicago Marathon’s Sustainability Program, I began applying my personal practices professionally and acknowledged my passion for topic, as well as the need for a more formal foundation.

What is your background prior to working at ISTC?
I worked on the Chicago Marathon (Chicago Event Management) for 7 years, managing the Volunteer Program and developing the Sustainability Program. As an event invested in health and fitness, the community hosting the 26.2 mile course and the dozens of charities who use the event to raise millions of dollars, an environmental aspect was the next natural step. We utilized the Council for Responsible Sport’s certification as a framework to guide the program and our initiatives, as well as earn certification. I left to pursue a Master’s in Sustainable Urban Development and began working at Bright Beat, a sustainability consultancy, where I was able to gain more experience in sustainable operations, facilities, communication and engagement through a variety of projects.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role at ISTC?
I am looking forward to supporting and learning more about the many diverse sustainability applications ISTC’s project partners are seeking – from waste characterization studies aimed at achieving zero waste, to renewable energy generation recommendations in support of net zero commitments, and everything in between. I am excited to be here!

What are common misconceptions about your career? OR What question do you get asked most frequently about your career?
The most common misconception is that sustainability is ‘too difficult’ or ‘too costly’, when often small changes make big impacts, at little to no cost, or there’s a cost savings. The most common question I am asked is, ‘Can I recycle this?’

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career?
People who don’t care. I take the carrot rather than the stick approach, ultimately educating, inspiring, and enticing people to care.

What advice would you give to future sustainability professionals?
Stick with it! There are many approaches to sustainability and paths to where you want to be.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?
I would love to work on the sustainability program of an Olympic Games. Years in the making, the world stage, excellence in sport, a time of peace and camaraderie – the Olympics exemplify the best humanity has to offer.

 

 

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Meet Savannah Feher

Savannah Feher is a Sustainability Technician with ISTC’s TAP group. Savannah supports research and sustainability reporting for a variety of clients. She also assists with waste assessments and implementation planning for the Zero Waste program.  She is based in ISTC’s Oak Brook office.

Savannah will be speaking at the Illinois Recycling Association’s event Recycling in Transition on Wednesday, September 11 at IEPA headquarters in Springfield.

How old were you when you first became interested in sustainability? What sparked your interest?

As long as I can remember my family has been composting, growing their own organic produce and hanging clothes out to dry on a clothes line outside. Growing up, it was just a way of life that, as I got older I began to want to know more and more about.

Who or what drew you to study sustainability?

Again, my upbringing played an instrumental role. Growing up with so many facets of sustainability woven into my everyday life, it took a while for me to realize that everyone does not know what composting means. Understanding that there is, above and beyond a need for education and implementation has driven my path to assist with that.

What is your background before coming to work at ISTC?

As a fairly recent graduate, I have interned with the Missouri Botanical Gardens Earthways Center as a Sustainability Education Intern, along with being an Assistant Canvassing Director of a campaign office for the Fund for the Public Interest. Right before this position I worked at Allbirds, a sustainable shoe brand that opened it’s first location in Chicago this year.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role at ISTC?

I look forward to the variety of clients, partners and community members that I will be working with. Getting to know and understand the challenges and opportunities that different people and industries are facing will allow me to approach future projects with an increasingly broadened view on how to solve the problems that we face.

What question do you get asked most frequently about your career or the subject you study?

Most questions stem from a general misunderstanding of what it means to work in sustainability. In my position there is not only one right answer to the question of what I do. That seems to be something inherently coupled with sustainability though, the involvement in many different facets of life, which keeps things interesting for me.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career?

Discovering where my true passion lies within sustainability has been the most notable journey for me.

What do you wish more people understood about science or being a scientist?

It can take many forms. Sometimes it requires sorting through wet trash during a waste audit, or collecting data through meetings, phone calls or interviews. It is both hands off and hands on, and there is not simply one way or avenue to finding answers.

What advice would you give to future sustainability professionals?

Ask questions. There are so many technologies, industries, issues and potential solutions out there that it can be intimidating at times. Never be afraid to ask, to learn, to inquire about anything and everything new.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be? (Doesn’t have to be a co-worker)

I am not sure of a specific individual who does this, but I have recently taken up soapmaking, and would not mind getting to let my creativity go wild in that department.

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Meet Dan Marsch

Portrait of Dan MarschDan Marsch, an environmental engineer with ISTC’s Technical Assistance Program, provides pollution prevention technical assistance to industrial facilities in Central Illinois with particular focus upon source reduction, raw material conservation, and waste minimization.

He is the Principal Investigator of ISTC’s long-running Illinois Conservation of Resources – Economy, Energy and Environment (ICORE3) project, through which currently focuses on Illinois’ food and beverage manufacturers.

He has been with ISTC since 2002.

How old were you when you first became interested in sustainability? What sparked your interest?

My father passed down to me respect and reverence of nature. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been an outdoorsman and have enjoyed nature’s offerings, primarily fishing, as a youngster with my father, continuing into adulthood, as a father with my children, and hopefully one day with my grandchildren.

As a child, I was an avid reader of The Missouri Conservationist, a monthly publication of the MO Dept. of Conservation, as well as a variety of hunting and fishing magazines.

Who or what drew you to study sustainability?

For me, it was later in life. I may have been naïve, but to be an environmentalist, I thought I had to be a field biologist, researcher, park ranger or such. Back then, the options were limited, unlike today. So I went a different career path.

But after a 20 year career in sales, distribution and manufacturing, I felt a void. I lacked passion for what I was doing and contributing to society. I was asking myself some tough, life-changing questions. What was I going to leave behind to the next generation? What would I like to do vs. have to do? How and where would I make my mark in life. It was time for me to make a career and life change.

Building upon my prior education and work experience in industry, I came to work at WMRC’s (now ISTC) Technical Assistance Program in 2002 and finally found my passion and my lot in life. I’m still an environmentalist but my office has changed. I usually say that I work upstream of the environment. I work with industry to prevent pollution and its impact.

What is the best part of your job at ISTC and what work are you most proud of?

The best part [of my job] is helping others [by] being a change-agent and helping my clients save money, reduce their environmental footprint and being more socially responsible. Making a difference in their lives, their business and their community.

The most interesting part of my job is the vast variety of products that I see being manufactured in Illinois. Everything from hammers to hair dryers, cookies to car parts, and how things are made, the processes and skill levels of our Illinois workforce.

I’m most proud of the impact of my Illinois Conservation of Resources and Energy (ICORE) project within Illinois businesses, from 2008 to present.

Some ICORE statistics:

  • 168 participants
  • $40M saved
  • 24 M gallons water saved
  • 343,000 MTCO2e reduced

Mike Springman and I received the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable’s 2013 MVP2 Award for ICORE.

What’s your favorite work-related memory?

I was at a slaughterhouse and meat processor who had an anaerobic covered lagoon that generated methane gas, captured by a large multi-ply black rubber membrane and piped to a scrubber for use as fuel in its gas boilers.

The membrane was inflated and bulging from the methane gas.

They invited me to jump on the membrane, which I did (are you kidding, why not? It looked fun). There I was bouncing up and down like a kid in a bouncy room.

Then it occurred to me, and I asked the question: “How deep is this lagoon of sh#@?”

What are common misconceptions about your career? OR What question do you get asked most frequently about your career or the subject you study?

The most frequent questions are, “Are you EPA?,” “What are you selling?,” “Are there state or federal monies available?”, “How am I going to pay for it?”

My replies: We are not EPA, OSHA, ICE or the police. I sell change. I help companies save money, reduce their environmental footprint and be more socially responsible. And, yes there are external incentives available.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career?

Keeping the passion and drive alive.

You have to love what you do, because so much of who we are comes from what we do. We spend a significant portion of our lives working, so why not find a career that you enjoy doing.

Aside from the strength that I get from my faith and my family, I find meaning and purpose in my work and from the lives that I touch.

What do you wish more people understood about sustainability or being a sustainability professional?

Sustainability is more than a feel-good thing, more than a marketing venture or item for your sustainability report. It’s a commitment and a lifestyle.

I try to show my clients that sustainability makes sense and it’s the right thing to do. There’s a business-case for sustainability: the triple-bottom line (people, planet, profit).

What advice would you give to future sustainability professionals?

Find your niche, something that you love and do it. Be persistent and don’t give up or give in. Be yourself and be genuine.  Understand that people don’t care how much you know. They want to know how much you care.

Don’t take it personally or get discouraged when your client doesn’t take your advice or implement the “no-brainer” that you recommended. Remember the old adage, “you can lead a horse to water but can’t make him drink.”

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?

A western actor. The only problem is that I can’t ride a horse, remember lines or smoke a hand-rolled cigarette. And I’m not a quick-draw. I’m a huge western movie buff, circa 1940’s – 1960’s including, Wayne, Eastwood, Fonda, Stewart, Ford (John and Glenn), Scott, and the list goes on.

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Meet Elizabeth Meschewski

Elizabeth Meschewski is a Senior Scientific Specialist with ISTC’s Sponsored Research, Public Engagement, and Communications team. She joined ISTC in 2011 as a research assistant in the ARIES group.

Beth communicates ISTC’s research and technical assistance activities by creating displays, posters, and website content. She  coordinates ISTC’s Sponsored Research Program, which is funded by the Illinois Hazardous Waste Research Fund (HWRF) and oversees projects funded through HWRF. She also organizes ISTC’s Sustainability Seminar series, the Emerging Contaminants in the Environment conference, and other research related events. She received the 2019 Distinguished Support Staff Award at the Prairie Research Institute’s annual Celebration of Excellence.

How old were you when you first became interested in science? What sparked your interest?

I can’t remember what age but it was pretty early in grade school. It was my dad who got me interested in science. We have watched a lot of Nature and Nova documentaries together. We also had about 13 acres of former pasture land surrounding my childhood home. I helped my dad in various capacities converting it back to natural habitat while growing up. We had several native tree planting events where we would use a homemade giant triangle with 10 foot sides to lay out where the trees would be planted so that they wouldn’t get crowded or shaded out when they got older. We’d also “animal watch” with binoculars on the back porch in the summer or while walking “the path” through our land.

Who or what drew you to your field of study?

I knew I wanted to do something related to the environment for most of my life. I considered meteorology (tornado chaser!) and volcanology but finally settled on geology to study the whole earth. While at university, I had the opportunity to take an environmental geology class and an environmental engineering class. These both discussed the issues of hazardous waste and release of toxins to the environment and how they traveled in the environment. I think this type of science is super interesting. We can track and predict where the “bad stuff” goes so we can fix it. Now I work with people who try to prevent this problem from happening.

What is the best part of your job at ISTC and what work are you most proud of?

I think the best part is being able to learn about many different types of science. Each of my colleagues work on different ways to help us become more sustainable through technology. Then I get to read/learn about it and translate it to our website. I’m also an organizational nerd. Another aspect of my job is planning an emerging contaminants conference, which lets me geek out on all the task lists to pull off an excellent event. Keeping up with emerging contaminants science is very interesting as well.

What’s your favorite work-related memory?

One of our projects involved converting waste plastic back into the oil from which it started. Then that oil could be converted into several different types of fuel including diesel and gasoline. To illustrate this concept, we took photos of me pretending to put a plastic bag into the fuel tank of one of our center vehicles. This photo definitely spoke a 1000 words.

What are common misconceptions about your career?

When I say I work at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, people often follow up with “oh so you work on solar panels and wind power?” I usually have to say something like “Well, not quite”. We actually work on cutting edge technology. Like what happens to solar panels when they are broken or no longer producing power economically? We’ve started a solar panel recycling initiative. We also work on ways to create energy from waste products and investigate emerging contaminants that have unknown or little known impacts on the environment.

What do you wish more people understood about science or being a scientist?

I wish people understood that science is never done. Meaning that we might think we have a good understanding of some science today but then some discovery might be made that changes everything. We see this throughout history. One example is people used to think that the earth was a flat disk with defined edges instead of sphere, but Aristotle proposed the theory of a spherical earth with observational data – people saw different star patterns in the sky when traveling.

What advice would you give to future scientists?

Find your passion! As a scientist you can make a difference in both public and private realms. There is value in providing high quality scientific information to policy makers, taking discoveries to industry, and publishing papers.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be?

I think I would be a construction worker / contractor. I’ve always liked problem solving and putting together puzzles / box furniture. Working on a construction site seems like a good combination of both (from my limited knowledge of the field).

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Meet Stephanie Brownstein

Stephanie Brownstein recently came to ISTC as a research engineer working on carbon capture and utilization projects. Prior to joining our staff, she worked as an environmental engineer in the food manufacturing industry.

What is your degree in and where did you graduate from?
B.S. Chemical Engineering – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2009)
M. Eng. Chemical Engineering – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2010)

How old were you when you first became interested in science? What sparked your interest?
I can’t call out a specific age, but as a little kid I always loved building with K’Nex and trying to understand how thing worked. I fondly remember making multiple trips to COSI science museum in Columbus, OH and the Museum of Science in Boston, MA.

Who or what drew you to your field of study?
My high school chemistry teacher Dr. Shaun Heale really pushed my interest in chemistry, and in college Professor Al Center was a wealth of knowledge about chemical engineering in industry. I had an internship in the oil drilling business and at that point made the decision I wanted to use my degree to improve the environment (sustainability, renewable energy, etc.) rather than perpetuate the energy status quo. Chemical engineering can apply to so many different industries, so it was a great springboard into environmental engineering.

What is your background before coming to work at ISTC?
I held multiple positions in the food manufacturing industry including Continuous Improvement Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and EH&S Manager.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role at ISTC?
Working on projects that will support new technologies and policies to improve the environment, versus just enforcing existing regulations.

What are common misconceptions about your career?
That if you come from industry you don’t care about the environment, or that if you are a scientist you don’t care about business. It’s possible to have a balance.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career?
Being able to implement environmental sustainability projects in the face of low utility prices. Influencing people was also challenging in a different way – it’s never simple trying to get 900 people in a facility to care about waste reduction.

What do you wish more people understood about science or being a scientist?
Contrary to popular belief, science is sexy! (I really don’t have a good answer for this one)

What advice would you give to future scientists?
Get exposure to as many experiences and fields of study as you can. Sometimes figuring out what you don’t want to do can help drive you towards your passion.

Any random facts you could share with us?
I am a CrossFit coach and love spending time outdoors.

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Meet Joshua Cheng

Joshua Cheng recently joined ISTC’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) team as a Sustainability Technician. Based in our Champaign office, he helps businesses and organizations implement sustainable practices.

How old were you when you first became interested in science? What sparked your interest?
As a kid, I loved to read science books and had the dream of becoming of a scientist or an inventor (not knowing what they really entail). And as I grew up and learned more about the different fields of science, I saw how engineering applies science to solve problems in our society. No matter what industry or field I eventually end up in, I know that data-based and evidence-driven critical thinking will lead to productive solutions!

Who or what drew you to your field of study?
I started off my college career as a chemical engineering major but found that my passion lies in communicating between scientific solutions and business minds. There has always been a gap in understanding between the engineers and the accountants, I believe industrial engineers could be the missing piece to that puzzle.

What was your background before coming to work at ISTC?
I recently graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an industrial engineering major, and have worked as a consultant/project manager at a private equity firm. I also worked for the Residential Technology Services as an assistant coordinator throughout my undergraduate career, and interned with Express Scripts, a pharmaceutical company in St. Louis. I’m grateful to have experienced many different industries and I’m excited to contribute and learn as I work at ISTC!

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role at ISTC?
My new role at ISTC has been a refreshing experience, as everyone truly cares about the environment and has dedicate their career to sustainability. I look forward to spreading this message and help companies do the same!

 Any random facts you could share with us?
I was born in New York City, grew up in Hong Kong, went to high school in Chicago, and now love the prairies of Urbana-Champaign!

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Meet ISTC’s new researchers

Over the past several months, we have added several new researchers to our staff.

Zuleima (Zul) Chagui is a Business Development Specialist with the Technical Assistance Program. Prior to joining ISTC,  she was a graduate research assistant at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center in Chicago, where she focused on social entrepreneurship. She develops and maintains relationships with businesses and communities in order to evaluate their sustainability needs and generate projects to address these needs.

Martina del Cerro is an Applications/Process Engineer in the Applied Research group. She comes to us from the University of Illinois Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is working on a U.S. DOE project to recover waste heat and water in coal-fired power plants.

Jaemin Kim is a Research Scientist – Materials Scientist in the Applied Research group. Prior to joining ISTC, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois. His research broadly encompasses catalytic materials, with a particular focus on sustainable energy technologies. Since joining ISTC, he has broadened his research and is primarily focused on the electrochemical degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances associated with environmental pollution.

Jennifer Martin is an Environmental Program Development Specialist in the Sponsored Research, Public Engagement, and Communications group. Before joining ISTC, Jennifer was a senior program coordinator for the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). At ISTC, she identifies and tracks emerging issues and research needs related to water, public health, and the environment.  Currently, she is assisting with the new Solar Panel Recycling Initiative. Read more about Jennifer in her recent staff profile.

Linduo Zhao is a Research Scientist – Biogeochemist in the Applied Research group. Prior to joining ISTC, she was a post-doctoral research associated at Oak Ridge National Lab. Her previous research included iron redox processes in clay minerals, biogeochemical transformation of mercury in environmental media, and bioremediation/biodegradation of heavy metal/organic contaminants. Her current research focuses on recovery of rare earth elements and biogeochemical transformations and microbial community functions at critical interface.

 

 

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Staff Profile: Jennifer Martin

Jennifer Martin is ISTC’s Environmental Program Development Specialist.

What was your background before coming to ISTC?

I was the senior program coordinator for the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), my work included a wide range of experience in coordinating and evaluating sustainability programs for a network of 39 statewide Illinois Community College districts. Through this position, I frequently collaborate with various public, commercial, and non-profit partners to aggregate efforts, expertise, resources, and opportunities that focused on building renewable energy and energy efficiency programs for the network of colleges.

Prior to my work with IGEN, I had the opportunity to work as a project coordinator for a National Science Foundation/Advanced Technology Education (NSF/ATE) grant to help develop a solar market in the Midwest. Through this grant, I established, coordinated, and tracked efforts to implement a solar workforce development strategy for training programs, businesses, and local communities across the midwest.

In addition to my work advancing sustainability programs and initiatives at colleges in the midwest, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and am a training sub-team co-lead for the Illinois Solar for All Working Group. The Illinois Solar for All Working Group formed to bring the best practices and policies to the Illinois energy landscape that will serve to maximize benefits of the Future Energy Job Act for the economically disadvantaged households and communities that the programs are intended to serve.

What are your responsibilities here?

I work to identify and present emerging research needs, trendsetting ideas, policies, or technologies to examine, and assist ISTC with fostering collaboration and building partnerships as we track emerging issues relevant to water, energy, public health, and environment.

What do you do on a typical day?

Right now I’m working to address efforts to prepare the state for a glut of end-of-life solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and ensure they are repurposed or recycled properly. ISTC is leveraging its resources by collaborating with its multidisciplinary team of experts to foster awareness with industry/business networks about this growing waste management challenge. Other responsibilities include bringing together the necessary stakeholders that are needed to develop PV end-of-life standards and a network of PV recyclers in Illinois while also looking to assist training providers in preparing a skilled workforce for this new and upcoming technical industry.

What is your favorite aspect of working here?

Working with a variety of talented, dedicated staff who are all passionate about preventing pollution, conserving natural resources, and reducing waste to protect human health and the environment.

 What are some common misconceptions about your career?  

Many people don’t get on the sustainability train due to the perception that it’s expensive. Efficiency is not always more expensive. People think it is, but it’s really not. In fact, sustainability will save you money in the long-run.

What are some challenges you’ve faced?

When it comes to coordinating business and educational components, it can be difficult to gather all the stakeholders involved and get everyone on the same page.

What work/project are you most proud of?  

I coordinated a solar installation at a low-income school. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers) was able to get $25,000 for the Lorenzo R. Smith Sustainability and Technology Academy in Pembroke Township, Illinois. We also installed a 5 kilowatt system at the school as well as education components with a focus on local sustainability activities.

 In what ways do you incorporate sustainability into your life?

I live in a community called Stelle that was founded on sustainability. It includes Illinois’ first solar-powered phone company. On a day-to-day basis, I hang my clothes up to dry instead of using a dryer, I have an electric-powered lawn mower, and a drive a hybrid vehicle. I also garden, compost, and recycle.

What is your favorite topic in sustainability?

Energy and energy efficiency.

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Staff Profile: John Mulunda

At the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, it takes a variety of people with different backgrounds, expectations, and experiences to keep the organization operating successfully. Today we’ll be introducing you to our summer intern John Mulunda, who has made several valuable contributes as an ISTC team member.

John moved to the Champaign-Urbana area in 2008 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. John enlisted in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at the conclusion of his sophomore year at Urbana High School. SYEP placed him at ISTC based on his interests in research and technology.  

At ISTC, John has worked on several different projects, such as making posters for a display or doing research. Some of the subject areas he’s researched this summer include solar panels, food and beverage manufacturers, community colleges, and publicly owned treatment works. Despite the occasional difficulty of balancing his work life with his outside interests, John says that his favorite part of working at ISTC has been the professional environment, knowing what’s expected of him, and having the opportunity to get it done.

Where is he headed in the future? John says, “I want to one day work in policymaking. My dream job is to work for the United Nations.”