“Participating in the Grand Challenges has truly been a transformative experience. While I do feel more prepared to help bring clean water to the world than I would have otherwise, I think that even if I never meet that goal, I will be a much better person for having participated in this program.”
Major: Civil Engineering
Theme: Clean Water
Research Experience
- Under the direction of Professor John Schwartz, Sanford spent two semesters working in the Water Resources Engineering Lab, which researches urban stream restoration and monitors stream health in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- For her senior design project, Christina performed research at a wastewater treatment system. The wastewater treatment system was located at a local school and had been in violation of TDEC ammonia standards for some time. Sanford completed and presented a EURēcA poster detailing the analysis, research, and completion of the project.
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Environmental Policy course (ECON 362)
- Water and Civilization course (ESS 220)
- Environmental Ethics course (PHIL 346)
Entrepreneurship
- Sanford participated in the 2015 Global Grand Challenges Summit Student Day Business Plan Competition.
Global Experiences
- Sanford attended a week-long trip to China for the Global Grand Challenges Summit.
Service Learning
- Service Learning course with related work at Pond Gap Elementary School.
- In-depth project on plastic pollution including local stream clean-ups.