My research consultancy, Realize Research, LLC, provides research, engineering, and education services that aim to improve lives in low-resource communities. Our research strives to describe complex context-specific systems in low-resource communities to produce results that private, public and government programs can use to change lives via improved public health, livelihoods, and safety. Engineering related systems is frequently required to affect change; our engineering services support our research or can be applied independently based on project requirements. Last, our education services ensure that our knowledge and experience with improving lives in low-resource communities is communicated to the next generation of researchers and engineers.
keywords
Sanitation, water treatment and access, behavior, decision-making, nutrition, menstrual health, housing, design, engineering, education
COEN 1830 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024
Explores topics of interest in engineering. Content varies by instructor and semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
CVEN 4434 - Environmental Engineering Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024 / Spring 2025
Examines the design of facilities for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater, hazardous industrial waste, contaminated environmental sites and sustainable sanitation in developing countries. Economic, societal and site specific criteria impacting designs are emphasized. Same as EVEN 4434.
ENVM 5045 - Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Gain an understanding of traditional and new approaches to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the context of food and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems in the developing world. Covers rigorous impact evaluation designs and when to use each. Recommended prerequisites: Intro to Food Systems (ENVM 5038) & Front Range Food Systems Field Lab (ENVM 5039).
EVEN 4434 - Environmental Engineering Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024 / Spring 2025
Examines the design of facilities for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater, hazardous industrial waste, contaminated environmental sites and sustainable sanitation in developing countries. Economic, societal and site specific criteria impacting designs are emphasized. Same as CVEN 4434.
GEEN 1400 - Engineering Projects
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Spring 2026
First-year students solve real-world engineering design problems in interdisciplinary teams. Design projects vary by section. Curriculum focuses on iterative design process, teamwork and team dynamics, supporting design with testing and analysis, and technical writing. Completed projects are exhibited at an end-of-semester design expo. Students responsible for contributing towards their design project budget (approximately $75). Degree credit not granted for this course and ASTR 2500, ASEN 1400, ASEN 1403 and ECEN 1400.
MCEN 5055 - Advanced Product Design
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025 / Spring 2026
Introduces engineering design and development of consumer products. Includes learning sketching, brainstorming, idea generation, design thinking, user-centered design, product requirements and specifications, product constraints, human factors, aesthetics, industrial design, intellectual property, concept prototyping, idea selection, tolerancing, cost estimating, design for assembly, and materials selection. Entails a semester-long team re-design of a consumer product.
MCEN 5065 - Graduate Design I
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
First part of a two-course graduate product design experience in mechanical engineering. Covers problem definition and specifications, determining design requirements, user feedback, alternative design concepts, engineering analysis, concept prototypes and CAD drawings. Students make several oral design reviews, a final design presentation and prepare a written report. Entails a team product design, fabrication and testing cycle of sponsored project. Students who complete this course are encouraged to take MCEN 5075 Graduate Design II.
MCEN 5075 - Graduate Design II
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Second part of two-course graduate product design experience in mechanical engineering. Includes refinement of prototype, design optimization, fabrication, testing, and evaluation. Students orally present the final design and prepare a written report and operation manual for the product. Entails a team product design, fabrication, and testing cycle of a sponsored project, leading to a fully-functional product.
