Buffalo, New York, United States
Hi, I’m Elise. I am currently a PhD student in Chemistry at the University at Buffalo. My current interests are environmental analytical chemistry. I studied BS Chemical Engineering and MS Marine Science, with interests on marine pollution, numerical modeling, and catalysis. I was able to publish our work on modeling the transport of pharmaceutical contaminants in an urban estuarine system, and on hydrogen production from seawater using a CdZnS catalyst. I was also involved in projects related to submarine groundwater discharge and marine geochemistry. I worked as a chemical engineer in the petroleum industry, specializing in aromatics production. I am equipped with more than 4 years of experience in refinery process engineering and process simulation.
As a Chemistry PhD student and teaching assistant at the University at Buffalo, I am currently teaching Chemistry students in the laboratory and recitation classes. I am also currently part of the Environmental Analytical Chemistry laboratory (Aga Laboratory for Environmental Research & Testing).
As the Project Officer for the Science-based Research & Development (SA3) component of the USAID & Gerry Roxas Foundation funded project RESTORE-WPS - INSPIRE, my main responsibility is to manage and implement the projects under this component. One of our major projects is to create and develop a website that will serve as a hub for information and constituents of the West Philippine Sea. My task is to manage and ensure the website project's completion and its contents. Another major project is the conduct of a research cruise, in which my main task is to plan and implement the research cruise and coordination with the stakeholders.
I am working as a research assistant under the DOST-PCAARRD funded project entitled BiORE Coare SGD Project 2: “Marine Benthic Geochemistry and Ecosystems Associated with Submarine Groundwater Discharge.” I am also involved in other projects related to submarine groundwater discharge and sediment core in Manila Bay. My thesis is entitled “Concentration and Source of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Mussels and Sediments in East Manila Bay.” I am looking into the concentration, source and transport of organic pollutants such as PAHs in Manila Bay through organic analysis, water quality measurements, and numerical modeling.
As a process engineer of the refinery's reforming unit (Continuous Catalyst Regeneration Unit), Mixed Xylene Unit and Nitrogen Plant, I make sure that the process unit operation is stable and optimized. I have performed various troubleshooting activities. I have also been involved in various special activities such as change-outs and start-ups. I also conduct studies and evaluations for the continuous improvement of the unit. Details of Responsibilities: - Provided technical assistance and troubleshooting of unit processes and equipment issues such as in catalyst reforming, regeneration, fractionation, and control - Recommended implementation of projects for continuous improvement of process to maximize profits such as catalyst change-out, debutanizer overhead control improvement, and debutanizer feed chloride treater - Conducted catalyst performance evaluation, yield predictions and recommended catalyst upgrade - Conducted turnaround catalyst change-out inspection, supervision, and support during start-up and shutdown - Developed simulations for fractionation columns, compressor systems and heat exchangers for evaluation and optimization - Delivered a comprehensive CCR Platforming training for operators and engineers Major Projects & Achievements - Catalyst Performance Evaluation and Upgrade to a Higher Activity Catalyst - Debutanizer Overhead Control Improvement - Catalyst and Adsorbent Change-outs and Evaluation (Chloride Treaters, Clay Treaters) - Debutanizer Feed Chloride Treater Project - Fractionation Tower Simulations and Evaluation - Development of Training Materials and Guide for Operation