CMU Rales Fellows Harness Unique Perspectives To Drive Innovation

Carnegie Mellon University is home to a diverse group of graduate students making significant strides in their respective fields, thanks to the support of the CMU Rales Fellows Program.

Dedicated to cultivating the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leaders and driving innovation by increasing access to a life-changing graduate education, the CMU Rales Fellows Program removes financial barriers to obtaining advanced degrees and provides Fellows with holistic support, empowering and connecting scholars with others who share their passion for progress and innovation.

Among these talented and highly motivated students is chemical engineering Ph.D. student Abraham Polanco, who hopes to harness his unique perspective and lived experiences to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Innovating chemical engineering solutions

Abraham Polanco grew up in Puerto Rico the youngest of five siblings, all of whom were homeschooled by their parents. On the beaches near where they live, a type of brown seaweed called sargassum has become a significant issue, and Polanco's concerns about it sparked his interest in pursuing a career in chemical engineering.

"Sargassum can be dangerous when it accumulates in large quantities, reducing oxygen levels and light penetration in the water, which affects marine life and ecosystems," he said. "It also produces harmful gases like methane and ammonia, posing health risks to humans and producing an unpleasant odor. Additionally, its impact on fisheries causes economic issues for islands that rely on fishing."

While attending Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico as an undergrad, Polanco did a six-month co-op experience in the environmental health and safety department of a pharmaceutical company, where he managed projects in waste optimization and conducted root cause analyses. During this time, he participated in the Algae Prize Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. The research focused on combining sargassum with plastic to make filaments for 3D printing. The project showcased Polanco's commitment to finding innovative solutions to real-world problems. The team made it to the top five out of 66 teams and received a prize of $10,000.

The professor who inspired Polanco to compete for the Algae Prize mentored him throughout his research, recommending him for the CMU Rales Fellows Program and inspiring him to pursue his Ph.D.

Once the competition ended, Polanco accepted a position at Boston Scientific, a medical device company that makes cardiac devices.

"Everyone in higher positions at any of the companies I've worked for had either master's degrees or Ph.Ds.," he said. "It occurred to me that if I really wanted to do impactful work, like research new ways to treat diseases, I needed to become an expert. That's why I believe a Ph.D. is the right path for me."

Polanco said the networking opportunities, support, and mentorship that the Rales fellowship provides have been instrumental in his academic and professional growth.

"I'm excited about the potential impact of my research, particularly in the biotech and pharmaceutical fields, and I'm determined to use my education and experiences to drive positive change in the world," he said.