Xiaoxiao Zhao (hear name)

xiaoxiao.zhao@maine.edu

Professional Background

• Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, The University of Maine (2024-present)

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (2021-2024)

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia (2019-2021)

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University, 2019

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science & Technology, 2014

Patatri Chakraborty

Patatri is a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering department under the Interdisciplinary PhD program. She is working on developing novel sensing techniques for PFAS detection. She is also involved in the PFAS mitigation project using Non-thermal plasma. She is a student member of professional societies like AICHE, ACS and ECS. She plans to pursue an academic career in the future. She likes hiking and baking on the weekends!

Negasi Weldengus

Negasi Weldengus is an interdisciplinary PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering. He holds a MSc in Hydrology and Water Quality from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel), where his thesis focused on pollutant degradation using a laser. He completed his BSc in Chemical Engineering at Mekelle Institute of Technology, Mekelle University (Ethiopia). In his free time, Negasi enjoys a variety of activities, including watching football, listening to podcasts, and catching up with his family.

Carl Wilson

Carl Wilson is a graduate student pursuing an master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine. He plans to focus his research on sustainability, with the goal of finding safer alternatives to plastics and PFAS chemicals. In his spare time, Carl enjoys listening to music, exploring towns across Maine, and collecting gemstones.

Hayden Sawyer 

Hayden is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at UMaine. His current research focuses on PFAS reducing biochar and the degradation of PFAS using cold plasma with past experience in high speed recording and wind tunnel testing. In his free time, he enjoys running and making music.

Chase Cotton

Chase Cotton is an undergrad student at the University of Maine in Orono pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in aerospace. At WISE lab, Chase's responsibilities encompass setting up equipment and instrumentation in preparation for PFAS research. His engineering interests lean towards propulsion and astronautical design.

His previous experience involves designing custom-engineered fluid transfer systems at Burt Process Equipment. He is also a member of the Black Bear Robotics club, currently designing a part of the drive train of a rover that will compete in the University Rover Challenge in Utah.