Making a Difference CONCRETE IS the foundation (pun intended) of all buildings, says Maab Mohammed, which inspired her research with fellow master’s in architecture student Tabassum Khandoker into methods of reducing the environmental impact of this essential building material. “Both of us care greatly about approaching our careers with care for changing the way architecture impacts the environment,”Mohammed says.Their findings were shared with Portland architecture firm SRG Partnership and PSU’s Center for Public Interest Design to further educate designers and architects and find opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of construction. “After this research, we hope that Oregon continues to push the limits of making the industry even more sustainable,” she says. MAAB MOHAMMED Graduate student, architecture AS A LIFELONG gardener, Pascal Tyrrell’s interests led him through Portland Community College’s Associate of Science program and into PSU’s Environmental Studies program. Now he is finishing a capstone project in partnership with Senior Advocates for Generational Equity (SAGE), educating middle and high school students about Portland’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “I chose my capstone course, ‘Rise for the Planet,’ after I was asked by the mom of a young child about the future of the planet and I wasn’t able to articulate a very hopeful answer,” he says. “I decided I wanted to be able to provide a positive response, one that spoke of the possibilities and opportunities that exist as we adapt to a warming planet.”—KATY SWORDFISK PASCAL TYRRELL Senior, environmental studies EMMA RUSSELL has a keen interest in climate science and meteorological analyses. She’s studied extreme climate events in Portland with the Climate Science Lab since 2020, and is now interning with the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District as part of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program. Key points she’s addressing include mitigation practices, climate impacts on Portland and online tools used to assist in adaptation efforts. “The conversation around climate change can lead to feelings of uncertainty, worry, fear or even denial.The best resource for us to relieve those feelings is our scientific knowledge of the topic,” she says. EMMA RUSSELL Senior, environmental studies THROUGH HER work at PSU’s Student Sustainability Center, Serena Dressel focuses on providing students with an opportunity to advocate for a more livable and just future. “My work in climate action and sustainability has been centered around identifying how we can collectively create a better future for today’s youth,” Dressel says. Some of her work will be on display as part of the second annual Portland Youth Climate Summit on April 23. Dressel was one of 10 organizers of the series of workshops designed to inform and empower young climate activists. SERENA DRESSEL Graduate student, public affairs impacted and who benefits,”McNamara says. “And it’s because students have this really well-developed understanding of the intrinsic connections between social justice, equity and climate change.That’s been groundbreaking for us in the last few years, and it’s largely student-driven.” Serena Dressel has been involved in campus sustainability for seven years, as an undergraduate and now a graduate student, and in leadership at the Student Sustainability Center. Her role in the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network, which brings together student leaders from throughout the region, adds to her perspective. PSU stands out for the breadth of opportunities for students to plug into climate-related issues, she says. Students can pursue hands-on learning and leadership outside of class through the Student Sustainability Center, which offers a range of opportunities for students to volunteer and create change—from helping maintain campus gardens and bee hives; to reducing waste by hosting clothing exchanges and reuse fairs; to organizing climate-focused events and outreach efforts that promote social justice.They can learn tangible skills via the Living Lab, a program that connects students and faculty with operations staff, who work together on sustainability-related campus projects. Students can also pursue multiple degrees and certificates with a sustainability emphasis, including a minor in climate change science and adaptation—to name just a few examples. At the same time, Dressel believes PSU could do much more to involve and respond to students who seek swifter action on climate issues. President Percy’s renewed focus and his administration’s support for the second Portland Youth Climate Summit, scheduled for April 23 at PSU, are promising, she says. “The thing that gives me the most hope is seeing how so many youth right now are so passionate about changing their future and changing the world in a positive way…who really have concrete ideas of what a better world would look like,” she says. Connecting students across different fields of study and helping them turn their ideas into real-life solutions is the goal of the annual Cleantech Challenge, a program of PSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, the program has brought together more than 150 student teams to create new products and processes that move society toward environmental sustainability. In 2021, the winning team created an ethanol-based fuel cell capable of efficiently generating renewable energy.The team included students from mechanical engineering, biophysics and computer science, as well as Karelly Ramirez Gonzalez, now a Portland State senior pursuing bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and physics. SPRING 2022 // 25
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