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Ph.D., E.I.T. (she/her/ella)

Visiting Assistant Professor

Swarthmore College

Hello! My name is Sophia Plata. I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of engineering at Swarthmore College. I received my Ph.D. in environmental engineering in 2021 from the University of Southern California under the advisement of Dr. Amy Childress and Dr. Daniel McCurry. My subject matter expertise lies in water treatment, membrane processes, and process design. Through my work, I aim to solve critical contaminant and energy challenges in water treatment.

As an educator, I am dedicated to developing and utilizing effective pedagogical approaches that welcome underrepresented communities and optimize critical thinking for all students. My experiences as a first generation Mexican-American woman inspire my research and reinforce my devotion to support and engage historically marginalized students in STEM. 

Sophia Lauren Plata

Education

July 2021

Ph.D., Environmental Engineering

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

May 2017

M.S., Environmental Engineering

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

May 2015

B.S., Civil Engineering

Widener University

Chester, PA

Experience

August 2021 - Present

Visiting Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

August 2015 - July 2021

Research & Teaching Assistant

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

July 2019 - June 2020

National Board of Directors

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

City of Industry, CA

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