ABOUT

I am a PhD student at the Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, working on atmospheric emissions of particulate metals and their interactions with Earth's radiation and ocean biogeochemistry. I am an environmental engineer by training with experience in water and wastewater treatment, and my graduate education and research has focussed on particulate matter emissions and air-quality from local to global scales.

WHAT I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON

Currently I am looking at the atmospheric release of particulate metals from anthropogenic activities such as coal combustion and smelting, putting them in a Earth system model (CESM-CAM5) and estimating their impacts on Earth's radiation budget (radiative forcing) as well as on ocean biology after their deposition. I am also looking at metal emissions from mining and smelting activities toward present-day and future renewable energy device manufacturing and comparing their impacts with a fossil-fueled scenario. Solar panels and wind turbines require rare-earth metals that are mining-intensive and hence generate a lot of air pollution in the process: I am quantifying that.

WHAT I AM LOOKING TO WORK ON AFTER GRADUATION

To connect dots. I am interested in development engineering in low- and middle-income countries with a focus on food, water, and air (security and quality). An example project that would interest me is: 'Water security in Libya in 2050: the role of current policies, climate change, and external factors'. A project of this scale would require inputs from engineers, climate scientists, political scientists, sociologists, and the local communities. I am NOT the most interested in only running climate models or only doing engineering calculations (such as the scale of a dam required in ensuring proper hydraulics) since they often form only a small fraction of the total inputs required in decision-making. I am interested in bridging knowledge gaps, especially the technical ones.

I'll more than appreciate any inputs, suggestions, connections, and discussions on these topics!

rtd.sagar@gmail.com (since university emails expire after graduation!)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead