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.

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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. 

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