Introducing MEA’s Writing Team for 2021/2022!
Stay tuned for new articles released every month!
Created by: Mieke Lek
Ivana Jeftic
Mechanical Engineering, Level II
After completing two sustainability courses in my first year at McMaster, I developed a passion for energy efficiency and what we can do, as young adults, to help implement more of it into our society. The MEA Writing Team provides me with a platform to share my ideas, interests and research regarding sustainable policies, innovations and communities that are progressing around the world. Although my interests focus more on technological innovations that are developing in the automation and aerospace industries, I love to share my thoughts on controversial articles, films and documentaries that shed light on questionable mainstream environmental groups, resource depletions and green energy investments.
Taylan Dalkan
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (iBioMed), Level III
I decided to join the McMaster Energy Association because I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to explore and share novel technologies that can potentially revolutionize the world of energy efficiency and sustainability. As a chemical engineering student, I have learned that it is important to minimize the costs associated with running large-scale chemical operations. These can include financial costs due to large amounts of energy expenditure and environmental costs associated with the frequent utilization of unsustainable sources of energy in industry. In addition, I am excited to seize this opportunity to learn further about existing technologies that have already been implemented into our society to make our lives easier in the present and the future. In my articles, I plan on sharing my findings with the MEA community with hopes of bridging the gap between the technical and practical applications of these novel energy innovations.
Tracy Huynh
Chemical Engineering, Level V
I joined MEA because I’m passionate about climate change and green tech. I love writing and am excited to learn more about sustainable energy from everyone on the team.
My topics of interest include net zero buildings, automation, and strategies to transition gas and oil workers into other careers.
Falisha Razack
Honours Political Science, Level IV
My name is Falisha Razack and I am in my final year of Political Science at McMaster University. I am also completing minors in Sustainability and Innovation as well!
I decided to join The McMaster Energy Association because of my interest in sustainable energy sources and eco-friendly city building. My academic career thus far has allowed me to explore the depths of sustainable policy, and I hope to continue to do this in my writing with the MEA. A few of my topics of interest include climate change, markets & consumers and sustainable policy!
Theodore Collins
Engineering Physics & Society, Level II
With my love for writing, public policy, and emerging energy technologies, joining the MEA was the perfect way to explore my interests. I’m looking forward to learning from my colleagues this year, and hope to share some of my findings!
Some areas of interest that you might see pop up in my articles are climate mitigation and adaptation policy, emerging low-carbon technologies, and public perception of energy issues.
Mieke Lek
Engineering Physics and Society, Level IV
I’m passionate about climate change and I think that making the world’s energy sector sustainable is the first step in combating it. Joining the MEA has helped me educate myself on energy related issues, and through writing I hope to educate others as well! I tend to focus on nuclear energy and sustainable energy grids, which will likely be apparent in my articles!
Kelly Deochand
Chemical and Bioengineering, Level II
I enjoy learning about unique and innovative technologies that are going to help stop climate change! I am particularly interested in how businesses reduce their environmental impact, and this may come up in some of the topics I write about. Within this topic I enjoy learning about electric cars and new improvements to electric cars, how different communities around the world come up with local solutions, and companies that focus on innovating and marketing environmentally friendly affordable technologies.
Qiraat Asim
Civil Engineering, Level III
I joined the MEA as I have always had a passion for energy and writing. I took environmental science as my elective throughout high school, so I have some experience in dealing with topics related to energy and sustainability. Not only that, but as a civil engineering student our academia places high focus on designing and constructing projects that are both cost feasible and environmentally sound. In fact, in the second year I presented a project on the construction of the Site C dam and the adverse effects of hydraulic power. Some of the topics I would like to write about are: the downsides of renewable energy, how to make renewable energy more feasible, and the application of renewable energies in different countries.
I am ecstatic to get to be a part of this writing team and help bring everyone’s ideas to light!
Zeina Khalaf
Electrical Engineering, Level III
I joined MEA because I am passionate about learning ways we can help stop climate change through new innovations. Through joining MEA I will be able to stay updated on the newest technologies, government policies, and eco-friendly products. Some topics I would like to write about are renewable energy, nuclear energy, and how government policies can affect sustainability.
Bradley Charko
Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Level II
I joined MEA because I have grown a large interest in the energy sector, want to be a part of a constructive change for the future, and want to both learn more myself and help others understand and learn more about the area. I think McMaster Energy Association is the way to make a start to this! Specifically, I will be writing about news in fuel cell development, water and wind turbine technology and system optimization as well as fossil fuel system news and optimization.
Alireza Lorestani
PhD Candidate in Power and Energy Systems
I am a Ph.D. candidate at McMaster University, specializing in Smart Grids, Energy Markets, and Grid Modernization. Besides my formal education, I have had a passion for studying investment topics, macroeconomics, and trading in financial markets, especially cryptocurrencies.
As a researcher who loves exploring new things, I am convinced that sharing is more important than possessing. MEA gives me an amazing opportunity to share and explore new ideas about the future of power and energy, such as how cryptocurrencies, community energy systems, or smart homes could affect future power systems and the utilization of renewable energy.
Kate O’Melia
Environmental Sciences, Level IV
I'm currently in my fourth year of Environmental Sciences and when I'm not studying or writing, I'm exploring the trails around campus or reading the newest book recommendation from TikTok. I'm especially excited to join the McMaster Energy Association because I'm always looking for a way to combine my interests of conservation and writing. Fortunately, the MEA provides an outlet to do so. During my time writing at MEA, I'm hoping to explore a wide variety of topics, ranging from ways individual people, such as McMaster students, can make an impact on global energy consumption, all the way to the how the policies created by our government define the future of energy not only in Canada, but internationally.