NCESR-supported undergraduate research recognized at National AIChE Competition
Octavious Gonzalez, an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), recently received 3rd place in the Materials Engineering and Science V category at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition in Boston. His award-winning poster, titled “Continuous Flow Polymerization: Energy Usage and Characterization of Functional Copolymers,” highlighted his work on continuous-flow polymer synthesis and energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced polymeric materials for microelectronics and energy-related applications.
Supported through the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR), Octavious worked on the development of acrylate-based copolymers using a continuous flow reactor system. His research focused on improving process precision, scalability, and energy efficiency compared to traditional batch polymerization methods. As part of the project, he investigated the energy usage associated with continuous-flow polymerization and explored its potential for more sustainable manufacturing of advanced materials.
During the project, Octavious worked closely with Habibollah Safari, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Mona Bavarian’s research group, who mentored him throughout the research experience. Through this collaboration, Octavious gained hands-on experience in polymer synthesis, reactor operation, experimental planning, and scientific communication. The mentorship environment strengthened both his technical skills and his confidence as a young researcher while exposing him to graduate-level research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Octavious’s achievement reflects the impact of hands-on undergraduate research opportunities supported through NCESR,” said Dr. Mona Bavarian, assistant professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UNL. “His dedication, technical curiosity, and enthusiasm for research made him an outstanding member of the team, and we are proud to see his work recognized at a national level.”
NCESR’s support continues to provide students with opportunities to engage in impactful energy-related research while developing professional and technical skills through mentorship, laboratory experience, and national conference participation.
NCESR Alumnus Spotlight: Jarod Harris
Another former NCESR-supported student, Jarod Harris, has also continued to build on the experiences gained through the program. During his internship at UNL, Jarod conducted research on supported ionic liquid membranes for carbon capture and investigated methods to reduce the energy requirements associated with CO2 sorption and regeneration processes.
As part of the NCESR program, Jarod participated in a tour of Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station. This experience sparked his interest in nuclear energy and its potential role in sustainable power generation and emissions reduction. Following the internship, Jarod decided to pursue graduate studies in nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan. He recently completed his master’s degree and now works as a Project Engineer at the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, D.C. His journey highlights the lasting impact that experiential learning and industry exposure can have on shaping future leaders in the energy sector.