Meet grad student Elvis Umaña: Using data science to answer sustainability questions 

Elvis Umaña is a University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Graduate Engineering Research Scholar in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Umaña, who works in the labs of Conway Assistant Professor Matt Gebbie and Baldovin-DaPra Professor Victor Zavala, earned their bachelor degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas and is also a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Their research focuses on using data science and machine learning to accelerate the discovery of non-flammable electrolytes and sustainable electrochemical energy storage technology such as sustainable batteries.

What factors led you to choose UW-Madison for your graduate education?

I chose to join CBE because of the department’s supportive and collaborative culture. UW-Madison provides a great amount of student support, and this propagates through their faculty. At UW-Madison, I value that I work with faculty and students in collaboration rather than in competition.

How did you get interested in your research area?

My interest in using data science to answer sustainability issues really merges two interests. First, I became interested in sustainable energy in high school when I learned about the ability for renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, to improve energy accessibility and quality of life in remote and polluted areas. Through a high school class project, I realized that studying engineering would allow me to improve energy access while eliminating the environmental harm from fossil fuel use.

Second, I became interested in applying data science to environmental problems as I learned the abilities of machine learning to identify patterns and trends in data quicker than humans alone can. Combining these interests, I am motivated by the hope of data science to accelerate global environmental sustainability and alleviate the impacts of global climate change.

What do you enjoy most about your research?

I enjoy the new perspective that data-centric approaches provide to physical chemistry and sustainability. Working with large amounts of data requires mathematical abstraction which can promote new ways of thinking by removing the traditional assumptions in physical sciences like chemistry.

In what ways do you receive support here as a grad student?

I receive support and guidance from my principal investigator and emotional support from the friends I’ve made throughout graduate school. GERS and the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association provide a sense of community and additional professional and personal development opportunities. Lastly, I also get support from University Health Services for mental health resources.

What do you like best about being part of the GERS community?

GERS provides a dependable space for me to build confidence and comfort in my work. Support from GERS community members helps to remind me to focus on the joys in learning rather than the struggles in answering scientific challenges. Especially, as a first-generation college student, the GERS community provides comfort, understanding and perspective that is not as common in my family.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy biking around Madison and baking.

What do you hope to do when you’ve finished your degree … and how did you choose that path?

I hope to become a professor at a public university. The mentors I’ve met through my education have changed my perspective on what is achievable and helped me realize my career goals. I hope to continue researching environmental sustainability, and to also use my knowledge and experiences to inspire and enable as many students as I can to pursue their dreams through education.

What would you say to encourage prospective students to attend grad school here in the College of Engineering?

UW-Madison’s College of Engineering has ample opportunity to explore and pursue a variety of careers in engineering. The COE has great connections to high-end instruments and computing for advancing a career in scientific research as well as abundant opportunity to teach labs and lectures to strengthen a career in education.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself or about your experiences here?

I just would like to add that graduate school is a challenging and rewarding time. Consistency from my friends, principal investigator, and graduate communities, like GERS, helps me persist through difficult times and truly celebrate successes.

The College of Engineering’s Graduate Engineering Research Scholars (GERS) is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in the 2024/2025 academic year. The program was established to recognize excellence in research and/or scholarship and to enhance the experiences and opportunities of graduate students from underrepresented groups in the College of Engineering.

Besides offering financial support, GERS empowers students by facilitating community gatherings for peer support, provides professional development opportunities and connects fellows with resources on and off campus for their advancement as scholars.