Elizabeth Jacobia
PhD Student
A graduate student at Duke University, Elizabeth Jacobia is pursuing her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is determined to better understand the field of environmental engineering through classes and research. Elizabeth is interested in addressing the water crisis that impacts several parts of the world. Her research includes investigating water quality, specifically through contaminate identification. Advances in this field will drive water equity within communities.
Elizabeth completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. There she discovered her interest in analytical chemistry and its application in water purification research. Her first experience in the field was her undergraduate research studying the biofouling of protein solution using hydrophobic membranes. Various buffers were examined at a pH of 6.0. Elizabeth and her lab-mates combined their research and participated in the ROC ACS Collegiate Research Symposium. This collaborative online experience won them best poster.
During her first two years at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Elizabeth had a recurring internship at a pharmaceutical company that she completed between semesters. This experience gave her insight into how to run a successful quality control department. After her third year at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Elizabeth volunteered in a lab at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She shadowed a PhD student and was able to perform experiments where she measured the flux of algae-concentrated water and analyzed the data collected. Having worked and done research in different facilities, she was able to see the differences in equipment, resources, and set ups.
Elizabeth likes to be involved in both school and community activities. Previously, she was a part of the varsity field hockey team at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She was also selected as a team leader and had the opportunity to participate in leadership workshops throughout her four years. Elizabeth attended several school-organized seminars on field-related topics as well as topics that she was less familiar with. She is very open and interested in learning about subjects and perspective she has not encountered. She is also an active member of the community. Elizabeth repeatedly participated in Hobart and William Smith College’s community service day as well as helping construct a bike park with her team.
In her spare time, Elizabeth likes outside and active activities whether she is playing pick-up field hockey, swimming on the beach, going to a Buffalo Bills game, or hiking in the mountains. She likes watching movies and reading non-fiction books. Though still at the amateur level, she enjoys painting and drawing.
Contact Information
- Office Location: 231 Wilkinson
Education
B.S. in Chemistry from Hobart & William Smith Colleges in 2022