Career and Business in Environmentalism
We were priviliged to have Mr. Pavol Hlubina speak to our students about possible career and business opportunities in the Environmental Science and Engineering.
Mr. Hlubina was one of the key people who brought the bottle deposit system to Slovakia. Thanks to this initiative 92% of plastic bottles and cans were returned for recycling and the environment in Slovakia is much cleaner.
During the talk we learned that we need to study biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, programming and communication so we can bring solutions to help the environment. This is something that students really need, it is not something that the adults made up to punish them with at school.
While raising awareness and advocating for environmental protection is crucial, it’s not enough to solve the big problems. Environmental engineers use their skills to create real, practical solutions. They design systems and technologies that can clean our water, reduce air pollution, and manage waste sustainably.
What Problems Can Environmental Engineers Solve?
Imagine a world where cities are free from smog, rivers are clean and full of life, and energy comes from the sun and wind. Environmental engineers help make this a reality by designing innovative solutions like water filtration systems, renewable energy installations, and effective waste management practices. They work on the front lines to combat climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Engineering Clean Water: Filtration and Beyond
Water is life! Environmental engineers design advanced water treatment systems to ensure everyone has access to clean drinking water. These systems include:
– Reverse Osmosis Filters which remove pollutants from water at the molecular level.
– Constructed Wetlands: These are man-made wetlands that use natural processes involving wetland plants, soils, and their associated microbial life to improve water quality.
– Desalination Plants that turn seawater into drinking water, crucial for arid regions without natural freshwater sources.
– Biosorbents: corn powder or activated carbon can also purify water.
Breathing Easy: Solutions for Cleaner Air
Air pollution is a major global health issue. Environmental engineers develop:
– Air Scrubbers and Filters that remove pollutants and chemicals from industrial emissions.
– Emission Control Systems to reduce harmful gases from vehicles and factories.
– They also design Urban Green Spaces that help reduce city smog and improve air quality by trapping dust and producing oxygen.
Waste Management and Recycling
Environmental engineers tackle waste problems by designing efficient waste management systems that promote recycling and minimize landfill use. Examples include:
– Bioreactor Landfills where controlled processes accelerate waste decomposition.
– Recycling Programs that sort waste materials for reuse in new products.
Remediation Technologies
Contaminated land and water bodies pose serious environmental and health risks. Environmental engineers use various remediation technologies to clean up these areas, such as:
– Bioremediation, where microorganisms break down pollutants into less harmful substances.
– Phytoremediation, using plants to absorb or break down contaminants.
– In Situ and Ex Situ remediation technologies – processes that destroy pollutants on or off the spot.
Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental biotechnology uses living organisms to address environmental problems. This includes:
– Genetically Engineered Microbes that can digest oil spills or heavy metals.
– Biofilters that use microorganisms to decontaminate air and water streams.
– Green Chemistry, which involves designing chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.
Building a Business in Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering isn’t just about science; it’s also about entrepreneurship! Many environmental engineers start their own businesses, creating new technologies and services that help protect the environment. From developing eco-friendly construction materials to starting renewable energy firms, the opportunities to build a sustainable business in this field are endless.
Most famous environmental engineers:
Robert Langer
Moderna and over 40 other biotech companies
Robert Langer is a chemical engineer and one of the most prolific inventors in the field of biomedicine. He has over 1,400 granted or pending patents and has co-founded numerous biotech companies, including Moderna, which played a pivotal role in developing a COVID-19 vaccine using mRNA technology. Langer’s work intersects across several fields, including material science and medicine, showcasing how engineering principles can revolutionize healthcare. He also has over 1,495 issued and pending patents worldwide. Dr. Langer’s patents have been licensed or sublicensed to over 400 pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology and medical device companies. He is the most cited engineer in history.
Craig Venter
Human Genome Project, Celera Genomics
Craig Venter is a biologist and entrepreneur renowned for leading the first draft sequence of the human genome and the first team to transfect a cell with a synthetic chromosome. He founded Celera Genomics, a company that was instrumental in developing high-speed sequencing technology, significantly impacting genomics and molecular biology.
Shi Zhengrong
Suntech Power
Shi Zhengrong is a leading figure in solar energy. He founded Suntech Power in 2001, which under his leadership, became the world’s largest producer of solar panels. With a PhD in electrical engineering and specializing in solar energy, Shi’s work has made significant contributions to making solar power more accessible and affordable worldwide.
Nina Tandon
EpiBone
Nina Tandon is the CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, a company that grows personalized bone and cartilage that can be used for skeletal reconstruction. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and her work at EpiBone is at the intersection of biology and technology. Her company’s groundbreaking approach to regenerative medicine involves using a patient’s own stem cells to grow bones and cartilage in the lab, which can then be used to repair or replace damaged skeletal structures. This personalized approach reduces the risk of rejection and improves recovery times, reflecting how Tandon’s scientific acumen is driving medical innovation.
Sangeeta Bhatia
Hepregen, Glympse Bio, Satellite Bio
Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia, a professor at MIT with a background in biomedical engineering and a doctorate in medical engineering from MIT/Harvard, is a prolific entrepreneur and inventor. She has co-founded several biotech companies, including Hepregen (now Ascendance Bio), Glympse Bio, and Satellite Bio, focusing on applications ranging from drug testing to disease monitoring. Hepregen developed technologies for improving drug safety assessment, Glympse Bio is focused on creating biosensors that can provide real-time monitoring of diseases, and Satellite Bio aims at tissue engineering solutions. Her work exemplifies the potential of combining scientific expertise with business to address critical health issues through innovative technologies.
Becoming an environmental engineer starts with curiosity about the world and a passion for solving problems.
