Elyssa
Ferguson
About Me
Hi! I’m Elyssa Ferguson.
I'm a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Class of 2020. I have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
I am also a National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenge Scholar (G4) and Meyerhoff Scholar (M28) at UMBC.
I intend to help discover the answers to some of our most difficult global issues. Our world currently faces lots of complex environmental challenges. I plan to combine engineering and design to develop technology that leads to a more sustainable world.
Why I Joined the Grand Challenge Scholars Program
I joined the Grand Challenge Scholars Program to expand my understanding of the world and its current issues, as well as to further develop the skills necessary to innovate solutions that benefit the environment.
By participating in structured opportunities supported by the program, I have had great experiences and have grown personally and professionally. I hope to continue to learn more and create a more sustainable world.
My Grand Challenge
& Experiences
My Grand Challenge:
Make Solar Energy More Economical
My focus is on making solar energy more economical. The sun provides life-giving energy for the earth to thrive. By harnessing the sun’s power, sustainable technologies will improve the way societies function.
I have been interested in sustainability ever since I learned about issues threatening the environment. Pollutants contaminate our land, water, and air, and they threaten the well-being of our world, yet these problems can be solved with better technologies. I will help make solar energy more accessible; this will lead to more sustainable technologies, aiding the development of carbon sequestration methods, and providing access to clean water.
