splata@usc.edu

Ph.D. Candidate
Hometown: San Diego, CA

Research interests: Sophia’s research currently focuses on an osmotically driven membrane process known as pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO), which is a means of capturing salinity gradient energy. This work has the potential to reduce energy consumption and the environmental impacts associated with ocean water desalination. Sophia is also on the board of directors for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the Treasurer of the USC Chapter of Mexico Innova.

Education:
M.S. Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) (May 2017)
B.S. Civil Engineering, Widener University (Chester, PA) (May 2015)

Honors & Awards:
05/2020                      USC WiSE Leadership Award
10/2018                      USC CEE Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
10/2018                      NSF ASSIST Travel Grant Recipient
05/2018                      USC Viterbi’s Jenny Wang Excellence in Teaching Award
11/2017                      University Outstanding Teaching Assistant Nominee
10/2017                      NSF ASSIST Travel Grant Recipient
05/2017                      USC Viterbi’s Jenny Wang Excellence in Teaching Award
09/2016                      USC CEE Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
07/2015                      Viterbi School of Engineering Ph.D. Fellowship
05/2015                      Widener University’s Top Civil Engineering Award
2012 – 2015               Widener University’s Dean’s List
07/2013                      Michael Baker Corporation’s Scholarship for Diversity in Engineering
07/2013                      ASHE Delaware Valley Engineering Scholarship

Peer-reviewed journal publications:
Plata, S.L. and Childress, A.E., “Limiting power density in pressure-retard osmosis: Observation and implications.” Desalination. October 2019.