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IGERT Story

Students Compete for UCLA’s Student Grand Challenge Competition

Video:

Description

Students from University of California, Los Angeles who are part of an energy research project are competing in UCLA’s Grand Challenge, “Thriving in a Hotter Los Angeles.” This research project is led by graduate student Michelle Thompson, a second year IGERT Summer Fellow. Last November 2013, UCLA unveiled its plan to focus on Los Angeles as a global model for urban sustainability. The ambitious task is to design solutions that will help Los Angeles adapt to a warmer climate.

Michelle Thompson leads her team of undergraduates: Natalie Dreyer, Ellie Joo, Michelle Yu, and Runyang Lou. Together they have successfully created a computer model that calculates the cost of solar desalination with applications to other Mediterranean climates.

Project: Solar Desalination Modeling for Greater Los Angeles