2018 Grainger Award Recipients

Amir Begovic

Amir Begovic

“My interest in power stems from the impact it has on climate change. Most of the power we consume is generated along with greenhouse gases, contributing to the problem of climate change. My goal is to do work in incorporating renewables into the grid as efficiently as possible, which hopefully would slow or stop climate change.”


Leslie Chase

Leslie Chase

“As a dual major in Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering, I bridge the gap between software and hardware. Sources of power are depleting so it is tremendously important to optimize current power systems and discover new ways to expand on renewable energy sources. I would like to use embedded control to optimize power systems, as well as design consumer technology to decrease how much energy is required to perform improved functions.”


Katheryn Flynn

Katheryn Flynn

“While working on a dual degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering here at RPI, I have found the most interest in areas of energy conservation, power application, and efficiency. The electrical power industry is ever evolving and I think I can contribute with the diverse courses I have taken. I hope to join the industrial field after school, and work with the design and integration of renewable energy sources and the smart grid. I feel this is where I can make the best use of all of my interests and positively contribute to society.”


Dayna Herling

Dayna Herling

“I decided to pursue power because I’ve been interested in renewable energy and electricity generation since I started studying electrical engineering at RPI. As I moved further along in my studies, I enjoyed my power and energy classes because they focused on power generation and optimizing the system. This made me interested in pursuing my masters and taking more classes that focused on optimizing the power system – both from an electrical and economical viewpoint.”


Everett McNair

Everett McNair

“I plan to use what I’ve learned in the power concentration from Rensselaer to help New York reach Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “Revising the Energy Vision” goal of relying on 50% renewable energy by the year 2030. I hope to work in the energy industry to integrate renewable energy sources while maintaining grid reliability.”


Meaghan Podlaski

Meaghan Podlaski

“I intend to pursue a career in power engineering because I would like to be involved with the changes the industry is currently undergoing. My goal is to work with the implementation and operation of smart grid technology, which will improve the reliability of the electric grid. I would like to continue working at an ISO or with a utility company where I could help plan for future electricity needs, integrate the new energy sources with the grid, and monitor the operations of the grid.”