Duke University  140B Hudson Hall  Durham, NC 27710    tld19@duke.edu   LinkedIn

I am an environmental bioprocess engineer at Duke University who specializes in developing biogas upgrading biotechnology. Currently, I am Ph. D. candidate working under the supervision of Dr. Marc A. Deshusses. My thesis research investigates the use of biological trickling filter reactors to upgrade raw biogas to renewable natural gas standards for alternative energy generation. This research recently received the Senol Utku Award for the best pre-dissertation peer-reviewed journal publication in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at Duke. I anticipated completing my doctoral studies during the summer of 2019. Visit my research page to learn more about my current efforts in engineering bioreactors for renewable natural gas generation. Following my doctoral studies, I aspire to pursue a career where I can continue to advance the field of sustainable biotechnology through research and teaching. I am currently enrolled in Duke's Certificate of College Teaching program to professionally develop my pedagogy skills - I anticipate completing this program in February of 2019. In addition to my doctoral studies, I am engaged with various campus committees. I served as the Chair for both CEE's student advocacy group (SAGE) and for The Engineering Graduate Student Council (EGSC). Currently, I serve as the Green Labs subcommittee chair for Pratt's GREENgineering initiative. Our mission is to communicate and implement sustainable practices within the Pratt School of Engineering.