Education
Master of Science in Engineering and Policy Analysis
Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
September 2018 - Present
Completed Academic Terms: 5 of 8
This Master's programme takes an "interdisciplinary approach" to "analysing and solving complex problems that involve many parties with conflicting interests. The two fundamental themes of the EPA programme are policy & politics and analytics, modelling & simulation. Such problems require solutions that not only solve the technological aspect of it, but also to address the societal and political aspects by the interactions and participation of different parties involved."
Involvement
Commissioner of Education for Dentatus (Study Association)
Research Assistant for data analysis and toolbox development in value deliberation-based methodology to explore solutions in multi-actor problems (Project website) and open science initiative
Teaching Assistant for Computer Engineering for Scientific Computing and Advanced Discrete Simulation courses
Open Science and Education project team member to improve accessibility of research in the Technology, Policy and Management Faculty
Notable Projects
Bangladesh road infrastructure upgrade data, modelling, and simulation project (R, Simio, MySQL; GitHub)
Systems dynamics models of greenhouse gas emissions from Dutch agricultural and electric vehicle sectors (Vensim)
Off-shore gas platform re-use strategy for Dutch Ministry of Economic and Climate Affairs
Greenhouse gas emissions history and mitigation action overview by country data analysis (Final Report, GitHub)
Scholarships and Awards
Second place globally in 2019 NASPAA Student Simulation Competition on international migration policy (Release)
TU Delft Excellence Scholarship (Full tuition; 2018-2020)
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Co-op
University of Alberta, Canada
September 2013 - April 2018
First Class Standing
Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership
Peter Lougheed Leadership College
August 2015 - April 2017
Inaugural Class Scholar (2015-2017)
"The University of Alberta’s Peter Lougheed Leadership College will be a broad, inclusive undergraduate leadership development program that will forge leaders through formal and co-curricular learning, engagement, and mentorship."
"Rooted in the university’s founding promise to be an institution for the "uplifting of the whole people," programming in the PLLC will promote lively interaction among students, the college’s founding principal [Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell], U of A faculty leaders, distinguished visiting scholars, and global leaders—all united by a desire to influence and inspire positive change in themselves and others."
Competitions
Runner-up of Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2017 in Hydrogen Fuel Cell - Prototype category in Detroit, Michigan
Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2016 Guest and Drivers' World Championship Qualifier - London, UK
Winner of Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2016 in Hydrogen Fuel Cell - UrbanConcept category in Detroit, Michigan
Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2015 in Hydrogen Fuel Cell - UrbanConcept category in Detroit, Michigan
Second Place at the 2014 Canadian Engineering Competition in London, Ontario
Winner of the 2014 Western Engineering Competition in Edmonton, Alberta
Winner of the 2013 University of Alberta Engineering Competition in Edmonton, Alberta
Winner of Winter 2014 ENCMP 100 MatLab Programming Contest - Limited Category
Second Place at 2014 National Engineering and Geosciences Month J.V. Driver Engineering Competition
Notable Projects
Energy-based analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from biomass energy
Developed capstone business plan for $10 million USD ocean wave electricity production project
Optimization of wind turbine construction projects to meet renewable electricity target
Mechanical design of plastic shredder for recycling
Essay on ethical perspectives of ship-wake modification geoengineering
Video on transportation and poverty in city of Edmonton
Scholarships and Awards
Sam Kolias and Family Community Service Leadership Award (2014, 2015, 2017)
ATCO Electric and ATCO Power Centennial Award (2016)
Engineering Students' Society - Golden Geer Award for Distinguished Undergraduate (2015, 2016)
Tom Chambers (Community Leadership) Award (2015)
Mechanical Engineering Club Second Year Scholarship (2014)
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures Higher Education Scholarship (2013, 2014, 2016)
Jason Lang Scholarship (2014, 2015)
University of Alberta and Faculty of Engineering Academic Excellence (2013, 2013)
A. Newbert Construction and Engineering Ltd. Entrance Award in Engineering (2013)
Conferences
Specified Gas Emitters Regulation Stakeholders Workshop in Edmonton, Alberta (2017)
STFC Batteries Annual Meeting 2016 at EPSRC's The Cosener's House in Abingdon, UK (2016)
Workshop on Mathematics of Energy Storage at University of Leeds, UK (2016)
Thermal Energy Storage Workshop at Imperial College London, UK (2016)
Alberta Student Leadership Summit in Edmonton, Alberta (2016)
Student Sustainability Summit in Edmonton, Alberta (2016)
Western Engineering Students' Societies Team Annual Retreat in Vancouver, British Columbia (2014)
Western Engineering Students' Societies Team Executives' Meeting in Kelowna, British Columbia (2014)
Canadian Federation of Engineering Students Congress in Magog-Orford, Quebec (2014)
Presentations
'Effective Systemic Economic Change for Climate?' - Effective Altruism Netherlands (2020; doi:10.5281/zenodo.3686940)
'An Introduction to Decision-Making Under Deep Uncertainty' - Effective Altruism Netherlands Policy Group (2019)
'Superpowered Literature and Reference Management' - M.Sc. Engineering and Policy Analysis (internal; 2019)
'Useful Coding Tools: Collaborative Coding and Project Management & a Map of the Python World' - M.Sc. Engineering and Policy Analysis (internal; 2019)
'Climate Change and Innovation for Alberta' - Alberta Roofing Contractors Association Annual Education Day (2017)
'Building an Efficient Car and an Effective Team' - Alberta Student Leadership Summit (2017) [Top Student Presenter Award]
'Energy Storage - the Cornerstone to a Sustainable Energy Future' - Western Engineering Competition (2017)
'Not just Wind and Solar... the Bigger Picture of Sustainable Energy' - University of Alberta Engineering Competition (2016)
'Climate Change Mitigation, Alberta, and YOU' - University of Alberta Sustainability Awareness Week (2017)
'Interdisciplinary Minds are Limitless' - University of Alberta GovWeek (2016)
'Energy, Science, and Perspective' - Peter Lougheed Leadership College (PLLC) Retreat in Banff, Alberta (2016)
'The Future of Energy is a Global Issue - and Energy Storage is the "Missing Link"' (Poster) - PLLC Retreat (2016)
'Hinton Pulp' - Co-op Speaker Series (2016)
Alberta Diploma and International Baccaleaureate Certificate
Old Scona Academic High School
September 2010 - June 2013
Graduated with First Class Honours
Competitions
Represented the United States of America in the Historical Security Council regarding the proposed invasion of Iraq at the University of Alberta High School Model United Nations (2013, Best Delegate Award)
Represented the Imperial State of Iran in the Historical Security Council regarding the establishment of Israel at the University of Alberta High School Model United Nations (2012)
Alberta Schools' Athletics Association Track and Field Provincials (2013)
Scholarships and Awards
Track and Field Team Leadership Award (2013)
Track and Field Team Top Senior Athlete (2013)
Experience
Project Manager
University of Alberta EcoCar Team
September 2016 - December 2017
Edmonton, Alberta
Lead an 100+ member student team to construct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for Shell Eco-marathon
Set team vision, build unity and team culture, guide team operations
Represent team to community, sponsors, and other external bodies
Oversaw new Research and Development and Autonomous Driving Teams to undertake new initiatives
Carbon Offset Co-op
Government of Alberta - Alberta Climate Change Office
January 2017 - August 2017
Edmonton, Alberta
Worked with Regulatory and Compliance branch of the Alberta Climate Change Office to maintain rigour of carbon offset system
Reviewed greenhouse gas emission quantification methodology to ensure system alignment with best science
Analyzed combustion emission sources, landfill and biomass energy technologies, heat transfer and electricity production systems, and carbon credit markets
Communicated with government Executive, external stakeholders, partners, and other Canadian jurisdictions on issues and policy development
Co-op Research Student
Centre for Integrated Energy Research, University of Leeds
May 2016 - August 2016
Leeds, United Kingdom
The Centre for Integrated Energy Research at the University of Leeds integrates "technological, economic, policy, and socio-technical dimensions of energy" to "enable and accelerate transition to low carbon, secure, economically viable and socially equitable energy systems." As a part of this initiative, my work is a part of a UK EPSRC funded consortium energy project related to characterizing the future of energy in the UK. I am creating a systems level model for energy storage potential.
Funded in part by the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship:
"The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships aim to activate a dynamic community of young global leaders across the Commonwealth to create lasting impacts both at home and abroad through inter-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences."
Co-op Research Student
National Research Council, National Institute for Nanotechnology
January 2016 - April 2016
Edmonton, Alberta
Worked with National Research Council in collaboration with the University of Alberta
Fabricated and characterized molecular junctions on PET plastic as part of efforts towards flexible electronics
Systems Engineering Lead
University of Alberta EcoCar Team
April 2015 - August 2016
Edmonton, Alberta
Coordianting design of all vehicle systems and ensuring effective communication between all engineering subteams
Implement strategies to optimize vehicle performance and driver efficiency
Vice President Recruiting
University of Alberta EcoCar Team
September 2014 - August 2016
Edmonton, Alberta
Managing recruitment and advertisement efforts, including devleoping training programs for new team members
Invited and hosted five industry professionals on "Future of Transportation" panel discussion
Mechanical Engineering Co-op Student
Hinton Pulp, a Division of West Fraser
January 2015 - April 2015
Hinton, Alberta
Analyze root cause of O2 delignification mechanical failures in steam injection process; consult vendors and oversee design of a $100,000 upgrade project
Initiated energy audit in compressed air system; develop Standard Operating Guidelines for future maintenance of system; initiated $800,000 upgrade project
Supervise instrument mechanic crew in diagnosis, repair, and upgrade projects
Dean's Research Award Stduent
Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining
September 2014 - December 2014
Edmonton, Alberta
Investigated potential of Tungsten Inert Gas machines in producing specific sound harmonics using a programmed software MIDI synthesizer
Presented topic of research to industry sponsors and the public at Engineering Research Presentations and Engineering Competition
Engage North Fellow
Making Connections for Youth
May 2014 - August 2014
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Developed coding instruction for youth and young adults
Independently coordinated technological infrastructure across the Hamlet including developing web based inventory interface using PHP and Excel
Projected cost and performance analysis; constructed two new computer systems compatible with future Virtual Reality Arcade implementation (Oculus Rift and Virtuix Omni)
Administered network and server utilities, retrofitted IT infrastructure
