Graduate student life in CEE is exciting, fun and dynamic. We work hard and play hard!
Our students are engaged in Institute clubs and department activities – some related to work and research in the department and some just for fun. Others engage in competitions – some with origins right here in Course 1.
We also rely on our students to be leaders and help guide departmental leadership on important decisions and initiatives.
Not already a part of the great Course 1 graduate student community?
Contact: cee_gradcomm@mit.edu
GradCom strives to improve the graduate student experience in Civil and Environmental Engineering while contributing to the all-around development of the graduate community. GradCom is a dynamic and responsive committee that incorporates the evolving needs of the graduate community, and aims to prepare graduate students to prepare them for success post-graduation.
GradCom aims to achieve its broad vision by fostering initiatives that contribute to the overall development of individual graduate students and the community as a whole. In collaboration with the administration, faculty, and other graduate students, GradCom helps design, develop and implement various initiatives to promote the following objectives:
GradCom consists of MEng, MST, SM and PhD graduate students and aims to achieve representation from Pierce Lab, Parsons Lab, the Transportation program, and other joint programs (such as WHOI, CSE and LGO).
GradCom welcomes applications year-round from members of the graduate community. If you are interested in joining, please do not hesitate to get in touch by contacting cee-gradcom@mit.edu.
Nicolette (Nikki) Bugher is a 4th year PhD student in Desiree Plata’s lab researching improved trace organic compound analyses for water contaminants that are toxic at trace levels. Outside of the lab you can find Nikki reading, watching Survivor, at a concert, hanging out with friends, and/or beating her friends at board games.
Kirby Heck is a 4th year PhD student in Michael Howland’s lab studying atmospheric dynamics and wind energy. He uses computational fluid dynamics simulations to study wind turbines and atmospheric turbulence with the goal of improving turbine wake models. As an outdoor enthusiast, you can find Kirby running or hiking outside all months of the year.
Zane Schemmer is a 3rd year PhD student in Josephine Carstensen’s lab studying topology optimization. His research focuses on mixed-integer programming formulations that minimize the embodied carbon of a structure while ensuring manufacturability. Outside of the lab, you can find Zane hiking, golfing, or skiing.
Sabrina Shen is a 5th year PhD student in Markus Buehler’s lab studying nature-inspired solutions for materials sustainability. Her work focuses on biotic composite 3D-printing and modeling hierarchical material architectures. Sabrina enjoys reading, bouldering, and experimental vegan cooking, as well as being outside to picnic, camp, or snowboard.
Ernie Lee is a 2nd year PhD Student in Heidi Nepf’s lab studying the coastal protection performances of coastal salt marshes as nature-based solutions. His research focuses on using physics based models to predict vegetation drag (water resistance) based on field observed plant characteristics collected by hand and drone imagery. Ernie is a big fan of watching soccer and basketball games, playing 8-ball pool, and exploring restaurants in the city.
Stay in the know! Join our Facebook Group, MIT CEE Grad Students, where we will follow up with announcements for events and updates! The group also serves as an informal chat room to get in touch with people with similar interests.
GradCom will appreciate your advice, comments and suggestions! If you think that any aspect of GradCom should be improved to better reflect the interests of graduate students across the department, please fill out our feedback form.
