Student teams from the Cullen College of Engineering’s Supply Chain and Logistics Technology Program recently took first, second and third place in the student research poster competition at this year’s Breakbulk Americas conference in Houston, Texas.
Breakbulk Americas is the largest shipping and logistics trade show and conference of its kind in the US and one of the largest in the world. Student teams from area colleges and universities are invited to attend and participate in opportunities specifically geared towards their education and emerging careers, and this year’s student research poster contest entries numbered 35 unique submissions.
First prize was awarded to “Port & Profit: The Economy Imperative of Zero Emission Ports” by undergraduates Cindy Becerra, Elieser Catellanos and Mariela Juarez, and included an award of $2,000.
“It was an incredible experience presenting our research on the economic and environmental case for zero-emission ports,” said Becerra. “We learned so much and were honored to share our work with industry leaders. Events like these truly fuel our passion for innovation. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn, share, and grow.”
“This project gave us the chance to connect classroom concepts with real-world challenges. Breakbulk is an incredible platform to showcase our ideas. I’m proud of what my team accomplished and grateful to be part of the UH Supply Chain and Logistics Technology program, where our professors encourage us to work hard and think big. A special thank you to Professor Margaret Kidd, who goes above and beyond to support her students and create opportunities for our success,” added Juarez.
Castellanos added the team’s thanks to others who supported their progress and submission this year.
“We want to thank our Industry Advisors, Peter Jessup, John Hark and Jake Swanson. They each contributed to the project by providing specific knowledge, ideas and contacts from their diverse experiences that greatly helped us make the Poster into a winner,” he said. “It was at least two months of planning, research, coordinating and meeting with all our advisors.
“We believe that this poster serves to raise awareness on the critical point in which the Maritime Industry finds itself. With pressures from international agencies, such as the IMO, and from policies and regulations, it is important that Ports take action that will allow them to keep their crucial role in global trade.”
Third prize was awarded to “Green Hydrogen Power: Revolutionizing Port Operations for a Zero-Emission Future” by undergraduates Christina Leen and Jessica Obasi, and included an award of $800.
"Our project, Green Hydrogen Power: Revolutionizing Port Operations for a Zero-Emission Future, explores how hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel-cell systems can transform port operations by reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability goals,” Leen said. “Competing at Breakbulk Americas was an incredible opportunity to share our vision for cleaner logistics, and we’re truly honored that our team’s research was recognized among so many innovative projects."