Houston Sustainable Energy Trek 2024
March 10-13, 2024
Sponsored by ND Energy and Meruelo Family Center for Career Development
We had an amazing time in Houston learning about careers in sustainable energy and understanding the various aspects of transitioning to lower carbon energy while maintaining affordability, reliability, and a diverse portfolio of innovative energy solutions. The future is looking much brighter now, and there is more on the horizon, as the energy industry aims to achieve net zero by 2050. The steps taken already show that they are well on their way!
Thank you to trek organizers, Prof. Jon Camden (College of Science), Prof. Yazen Khasawneh (College of Engineering), Barbara Villarosa (ND Energy), and Jo Anne Nasti (Meruelo Family Center for Career Development) and to all participants for a hugely successful immersion into sustainable energy careers!
COMPANIES
Special kudos to company sponsors and hosts Joel Trahan, Accenture; Kylie Minor Fultz, BP; Mark Gess, Chevron; Kelly Rollo, ExxonMobil Baytown; Gregory Goodman, ExxonMobil Global Headquarters; Summer Heath, Linde Clear Lake HyCO Facility; and Leena Vuor, Sunnova Energy. Thank you for making this trek possible and creating an atmosphere that enabled students to engage in ways that were uniquely impactful to discerning their future careers. We were truly inspired by your knowledge and genuine commitment to advancements toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for all. We truly appreciate your gracious hospitality and expert guidance!
A huge thank you to Walter Ulrich at Medical Bridges who demonstrated what it's like to be a powerful force for doing good in the world! He and two other staff members partner with local sponsors to collect, store, test, and ship donated medical supplies and equipment from hospitals and clinics to countries around the world that are in most need of medical assistance. There are only seven certified Medical Bridges in the U.S., and summer volunteers are always welcomed!
STUDENT TREKKERS
Last, but definitely not least, this trek would not have been successful without the amazing students who brought life to this brief, yet powerful immersion into the sustainable energy field! THANK YOU for taking time out of your spring break to focus on your careers and to learn about the future of sustainable energy, which is in excellent hands, thanks to Abdulrahman Atassi '25, Chemical Engineering and Energy Studies; Matthew Bourke Doherty '26, Finance and Political Science; David Fisher '26, Chemical Engineering and Energy Studies; Jonathan Granda Acaro '25, Computer Science; Faith Groody '26, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, and Chemistry; Josie Humbert '26, Environmental Science, Economics, and Data Science; Bjorn Mauritsen '26, Political Science and Business Economics; Sara Murray '25, Chemistry Computing and Energy Studies; Joanna Nguyen-Tran '25, Environmental Engineering and Energy Studies; and Samantha Sebastian '26, Electrical Engineering and Energy Studies.
VIEW ITINERARY AND BREIF RECAP HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Jo Anne Mackay Nasti '79
Meruelo Family Center for Career Development
Regional Engagement Associate, Texas
University of Notre Dame
JNasti@nd.edu, 832-585-2844
Barbara Villarosa
ND Energy
Business and Communications Program Director
University of Notre Dame
bvillaro@nd.edu, 574-360-3992