Recognition & Engagement

MASCARO CENTER RECOGNITION & ENGAGEMENT

Faculty Awards

Eric Beckman

Dr. Beckman was recognized with the Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award recognizing the achievements of Pitt faculty who are seeking to improve people’s lives through the commercialization of their ideas and discoveries Celebration of Innovation Recognizes Accomplishments of Pitt Innovators - Innovation Institute

David Sanchez

Dr. Sanchez received the 2022 Swanson School of Engineering Outstanding Educator Award. In addition, he recently received the 2022 award for outstanding teaching in environmental engineering and science from the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). This recognition from his peers speaks volumes about his dedication to and innovation in education.

Bob Kerestes

Dr. Kerestes received two prestigious teaching awards including the Swanson School of Engineering Outstanding Educator and the Provost’s Diversity in the Curriculum Award. In both cases, MCSI funding and projects have helped to support his efforts.

Goetz Veser

Dr. Veser received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. He was honored for developing a full third of the classes in his department’s undergraduate curriculum. Along with developing courses and showing a willingness to teach beyond his required load, Veser also supported creation of two student organizations. Dr. Veser is a key advisor to the MCSI Undergraduate Summer Research Program, a faculty lead on the Covestro Circular Economy Program, and a member of MCSI’s Faculty Sustainability Task Force. His nomination was supported by MCSI.

External Boards and Committees

American Society of Engineering Education – National (Environmental Engineering Division) David Sanchez (Secretary)

Engineering Science Academic Advisory Committee David Sanchez (Member)

Food21 – Sustainable Regional Food Systems David Sanchez (Senior Advisor)

ASEE-Lemelson Foundation Engineering for One Planet Advisory Board David Sanchez

External Boards and Committees (Continued)

IPIKU - Indigenous Pacific Island Knowledge University (Representing 5 national entities of Micronesia) David Sanchez (Director/Officer)

Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, Sustaining Members Committee David Sanchez

American Society of Engineering Education – North Central Section David Sanchez (Vice-Chair)

International Society for Industrial Ecology, Sustainable Urban System Melissa Bilec (Co-Chair)

U.S. Technical Advisory Group for International Organization for Standardization, TC323 Circular Economy Melissa Bilec (Member)

Sustainable Pittsburgh, CEOs for Sustainability Advisory Board Gena Kovalcik (Member)

Carnegie Science Center Sustainability Award Selection Committee Gena Kovalcik (Member)

Internal Boards and Committees

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access – CEE Committee Melissa Bilec (Co-Chair)

Carbon Commitment Committee, including Carbon In/Offsets & Sequestration Subcommittee Melissa Bilec (Member)

Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Sustainability Melissa Bilec (Member), Gena Kovalcik (Member), David Sanchez (Member)

Community Engaged Scholarship Forum Planning Committee Gena Kovalcik (Co-Chair)

Swanson School of Engineering Academic Committee (Undergraduate/Graduate) David Sanchez (Member)

Graduate School of Public Health – Department Chair Search Committee David Sanchez

Journal Leadership

Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability (sister journal to Environmental Research Letters) Melissa Bilec (Editorial Board)

ASCE Architecture Engineering Melissa Bilec (Associate Editor and Special Editor for Circular Economy & Regenerative Buildings)

International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Melissa Bilec (Subject Editor)

ASCE Natural Hazards Review Melissa Bilec (Trial Associate Editor)

Invited Lectures

Bilec, M.M. (2021). “Design for Circular Economy: Perspectives at Multiple Scales.” International Institute for Environmental Studies-Institute for Circular Economy Design, Workshop on Circular Economy, October 22, 2021, Virtual.

Bilec, M.M. (2021). “Plastic Economy in a Health Care Crisis.” Global Council for Science and the Environment, Plastic Cohort Workshop, April 12-15, 2021, Virtual.

Bilec, M.M. (2021). “Circular Economy and the Built Environment in Our High-Tech World.” NIST Circular Economy in the High-Tech World Workshop, January 27, 2021, Virtual

Invited Panelist for THINC20 Tank, Higher Education’s Role Panel, June 8, 2021, Virtual.

Invited Panelist for THINC20 Tank, Creating Circular Economy Communities Panel, What’s Happening in Pittsburgh Panel, June 8, 2021, Virtual.

Bilec, M.M. (2022). “Design for Circular Economy.” Drexel University, Spring Seminar Series, April 23, 2022, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bilec, M.M. (2021). “Design for Circular Economy.” University of Virginia, Fall Seminar Series, October 12, 2021. (virtual)

Sharrard, A.L., Bilec, M.M. (2021). “Pitt Climate Action Plan.” Hosted by the Pitt’s Office of Philanthropy and Engagement, March 4, 2021, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bilec, M.M. (2021) PAA Presents: Sustainable Housing and Development Trends, Moderator for Virtual Session, May 19, 2021

Sanchez, David (2022) “Sustainability in the Pacific” - PATA – Micronesia April 26, 2022

Sanchez, David (2022) “Place-based University Sustainability Partnerships” Newcastle University, Mar. 24, 2022

Sanchez, David (2022) “Sustainable Engineering on Guam” Rotary Club Guam, Aug. 11, 2021, Mangilao Guam

Sanchez, David (2022) “Island Sustainability in the 21st Century” University of Guam, Aug. 9, 2021, Mangilao Guam

Sanchez, David (2022) “Sustainability and Food”, Sustaining the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, Carnegie Mellon University, March 7, 2022

Sanchez, David (2022) “Appalachia Research/Teaching Project, Communities Left Behind Initiative, Carnegie Mellon University, Feb 2022

Sanchez, David (2021) Chancellor Scholars Seminar (University Honors College)– Sustainability October 12, 2021

Sanchez, David (2021) “Prototyping for Sustainability”, Univ. Of Pittsburgh Makerspace, September 21, 2021

Sanchez, David (2021) “Working with Faculty”, SSOE First Year Engineering Workshop, September 9, 2021

Sanchez, David (2021) “Building a Resilient Food Ecosystem: Infrastructure”, Pittsburgh Food Bank/Food 21, August 5, 2021

Sanchez, David (2021) “Approaches to Sustainable Design and Systems Thinking” LEAD, June 23, 2021, Virtual

Pitt Leadership

In addition to her Co-Directorship of MCSI, Gena Kovalcik served as Interim Director of Strategic Business and Financial Operations for the Swanson School of Engineering (SSOE) from September through December 2020. She was then appointed Strategic Advisor to SSOE Dean James Martin while still leading MCSI. Gena led search committees for several key leadership positions within SSOE, including the Executive Assistant to the Dean, Strategic Advisor to the Dean, Director of Business and Financial Operations, and Executive Director of Development. She also served on search committees for several Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) gift officer positions. Effective January 2022, a permanent Strategic Advisor to the Dean has been appointed. However, Gena continues to support the Dean and Swanson School in strategic planning, SSOE leadership teams, and committees. Concurrently, Gena was asked by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs to serve as a co-lead for the Pitt Community of Practice and as co-chair of the Community Engaged Scholarship Forum during Jamie Ducar’s scheduled leave. In both roles, Gena made sustainability and environmental justice topics of broad conversation and priority across the University.