
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.
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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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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