Makenna Parkinson

Makenna is a first-year Ph.D. student co-advised by Professor Menachem Elimelech and Professor John Fortner. Her research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and use of metal-organic frameworks for advanced membrane separation processes.

Makenna received her B.S. in engineering with an emphasis in environmental analysis from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Makenna worked in Professor Albert Dato’s Energy and Nanomaterials Lab at Harvey Mudd, where she conducted research on the wettability properties of gas-phase-synthesized graphene. Her work with superhydrophobic graphene, which has potential applications from water treatment to drag and wear reduction, sparked her interest in the use of novel materials for environmental applications. Her goal is to combine materials science and environmental engineering to improve water quantity and quality globally.

Outside of the lab, Makenna enjoys springboard diving and taking barre, pilates, and yoga classes. She also loves taking her two dogs to the beach when she’s back home in San Luis Obispo, California.