Resume/CV

Pisciotta_Maxwell_Resume_Feb2025Download

  • Industry Experience

    Limelight Steel: Process Engineer (Feb. 2025 – Present) – Developed technoeconomic assessments, conducted thermal modeling, and designed experimental plans aimed at developing a strategy for implementing cost-competitive laser furnace steelmaking.

    Independent Contractor (June 2023 – Present)

    • Carbon Removal Standards Initiative: Developed a quantitative tool to compare various energy accounting standards for carbon removal projects, including IPCC GHG reporting, Verra, CCS+, Isometric, Gold Standard, Puro.Earth, Absolute Climate, and Canadian GHG accounting protocols.
    • Rhoic: Developed the initial technoeconomic model and lifecycle assessment for the novel electrospinning technology; Coordinated non-dilutive funding applications, including grant and philanthropic application materials  
    • Queens Carbon: Developed COMSOL simulations for high-temperature/pressure reactor designs to optimize for decarbonized cementitious materials production; Identified cost drivers, reducing expenses and improving capital efficiency via technoeconomic optimizations.

    Brimstone Energy: Pyrometallurgical R&D Intern – Conducted experiments to determine suitable refractory materials for high temperature reactor for the creation of ordinary Portland cement (May 2022 – Aug. 2022)

    International Energy Agency: Analyst Intern – Direct Air Capture (DAC) Report and Global Hydrogen Review (May 2021 — Aug. 2021)

    Accenture: Program, Project, & Service Management Technology Analyst — Modular Education Content for 16,000 Learners (Aug. 2019 – April 2020)

    Hue Co Lab and Sticky Docs: Entrepreneurial Intern — Startup Plan for Biobar (June 2016 – Aug. 2016)

  • Research Experience

    Postdoctoral Fellow: University of Pennsylvania – Clean Energy Conversions Laboratory – CCS Ladder for Industrial Decarbonization, Increasing Access to Climate Change Mitigation Curriculum to the Global South, Integration of Direct Air Capture and Geothermal Energy (May 2024 – Dec. 2024)

    Graduate Research Assistant: University of Pennsylvania — Clean Energy Conversions Laboratory — Integration of Direct Air Capture and Geothermal Energy, Direct Air Capture and Environmental Justice Considerations, Direct Air Capture Land Area Considerations, Flexible Carbon Capture via Thermal Energy Storage for Natural Gas Electricity Production, Metal Oxide Looping for Direct Air Capture, Indirect Carbonation of Mine Tailings Scale Up, and Kiln Technology Decarbonization (April 2020 – May 2024)

    Graduate Research Assistant: Colorado School of Mines — Colorado Fuel Cell Center — Pressurized Electrochemical Reactor Design, Construction, and Commission (May 2017 – June 2019)

    Undergraduate Research Assistant: Colorado School of Mines — Colorado Fuel Cell Center — Fuel Cell Degradation Coupon (Jan. 2017 – May 2017)

  • Education

    University of Pennsylvania – Ph.D. Chemical Engineering — Research: Carbon Capture and Removal Technologies, Certificate in Energy Management and Policy, Certificate in College Teaching and Learning

    University of Pennsylvania – M.S. Chemical Engineering — Research: Carbon Capture and Removal Technologies

    Colorado School of Mines – M.S. Mechanical Engineering — Research Project: Renewable Liquid Ammonia via Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells Operated at Elevated Temperature and Pressure

    Colorado School of Mines – B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Minor: Economics

  • Skills and Qualifications

    Software: Aspen Plus, ANSYS Fluent, ArcGIS, MatLab, Solidworks FEA Simulation, Solidworks Flow Simulation Package, MathCAD, LabView, InkScape, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project, WordPress, Minitab Statistical Analysis

    Coding Languages: MatLab, C++, Java, JavaScript

    Hands-On Experience: XRF, SEM/EDS, TGA, Optical Microscope, Gas Handling, Sterile Fume Hood Precautions, Laboratory Safety, 3D Printer Printing and Maintenance

    Certifications: Engineer in Training — Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, CSWA Solidworks — Solidworks Authorized Training Center, Science Communication — Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group

  • Teaching Experience

    Carbon Management, Co-Instructor – University of Pennsylvania | Jan. 2024 – May 2024

    Chemistry 101, Senior Teaching Assistant – University of Pennsylvania | Aug. 2022 – Dec. 2022

    Energy and the Environment, Teaching Assistant – University of Pennsylvania | Aug. 2021 – Dec. 2021

  • Publications

    Peer-Reviewed Papers:

    M. Pisciotta, H. Pilorgé, J. Davids, and P. Psarras, “Opportunities for Cement Decarbonization,” Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2023. in press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2023.100667

    M. Pisciotta, J. Davids, and J. Wilcox, “Negative Emissions Technologies: Overview and Current Status of Deployment,” In Greenhouse Gas Removal Technologies, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1039/9781839165245-00006

    M. Pisciotta, H. Pilorgé, J. Feldmann, R. Jacobson, J. Davids, S. Swett, Z. Sasso, and J. Wilcox, “Current State of Industrial Heating and Opportunities for Decarbonization.” Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2021.100982

    “Roads to Removal: Options for Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States,” Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory https://doi.org/10.2172/2301853

    E. Markey, R. Vercellino, B. Limb, M. Pisciotta, J. Huyett, S. Garland, M. Abarr, P. Psarras, D.R. Herber, J.C. Quinn, T. Bandhauer, “Economic Impact of Thermal Energy Storage on Natural Gas Power with Carbon Capture in Future Electricity Markets,” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104098

    P. Psarras, M. Pisciotta, H. Pilorgé, “Advancing the Social License for Carbon Management in Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions,” Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, 2024. https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/advancing-the-social-license-for-carbon-management-in-achieving-net-zero-ghg-emissions/

    B. Limb, E. Markey, R. Vercellino, S. Garland, M. Pisciotta, P. Psarras, D.R. Herber, T. Bandhauer, and J.C. Quinn, “Economic Viability of Using Thermal Energy Storage for Flexible Carbon Capture on Natural Gas Power Plants,” Journal of Energy Storage, 55, D, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.105836

    B. Limb, E. Markey, R. Vercellino, J. Huyett, S. Garland, M. Piciotta, P. Psarras, E. Meuleman, N. Fine, M. Abarr, D.R. Herber, J.C. Quinn, and T. Bandhauer, “Evaluating the Economic Viability of NGCC-SWITCC: Natural Gas Combined Cycle System with Integrated Thermal Storage and Carbon Capture,” (August 27,2022). Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-16) 23-24 Oct 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4295563

    R. Vercellino, E. Markey, B. Limb, M. Pisciotta, J. Huyett, S. Garland, T. Bandhauer, J.C. Quinn, P. Psarras, and D.R. Herber, “Control Co-Design Optimization of Natural Gas Power Plants with Carbon Capture and Thermal Storage,” Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference 14-17 August 2022. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2022-90021

    R. Jackson, S. Abernethy, J.G. Canadell, M. Cargnello, S.J. Davis, S. Fuss, A. Heyer, C. Hong, C.D. Jones, H.D. Matthews, F.M. O’Connor, M. Pisciotta, H.M. Rhoda, R. de Richter, E.I. Solomon, J.L. Wilcox, and K. Zickfield, “Atmospheric Methane Removal: A Research Agenda,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 379, 2210. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0454

    N. McQueen, K. Vaz Gomes, C. McCormick, K. Blumanthal, M. Pisciotta, and J. Wilcox, “A review of direct air capture (DAC): scaling up commercial technologies and innovating for the future,” Progress in Energy, 2021. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2516-1083/abf1ce

    Blog Posts and Other Media:

    M. Pisciotta, “Geothermal Energy: A Missing Piece in the Equitable Energy Transition,” Perry World House, 2023. [Online] Available: https://global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/news/geothermal-energy-missing-piece-equitable-energy-transition

    M. Pisciotta, “Hidden Inconvenience: The Search for Gender-Inclusive Restrooms at UPenn,” Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, 2023. [Online] Available: https://www.pspdg.com/blog/2023/6/9/hidden-inconvenience-the-search-for-gender-inclusive-restrooms-at-upenn

    M. Pisciotta, “The Challenge in Decarbonizing Cement,” Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, 2023. [Online] Available: https://www.pspdg.com/science-shorts/2023/2/27/the-challenge-in-decarbonizing-cement

    M. Pisciotta, C. Xia, and J. Sanchez, “The Road to 10 Gigatons,” 2021. [Online] Available: https://www.roadto10gigatons.com/

    M. Pisciotta, “Ammonia, the Up-and-Coming Carbon-Neutral Fuel,” Kleinman Center for Energy Policy Blog, 2021. https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/news-insights/ammonia-the-up-and-coming-carbon- neutral-fuel/

    K. Lebling, N. McQueen, M. Pisciotta, and J Wilcox, “Direct Air Capture: Resource Considerations and Cost for Carbon Removal,” World Resources Institute Blog, 2021. https://www.wri.org/blog/2021/01/direct-air-capture-definition-cost-considerations

  • Presentations

    (* indicates presenting author)

    M. Pisciotta*, H. Pilorgé, C. Magdolen, P. Psarras, “Geothermal Energy Coupled to Direct Air Carbon Capture,” Kleinman Center Energy Week Poster Session, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 2023.

    M. Pisciotta*, “Direct Air Capture Background and Technoeconomic Considerations,“ Wharton Planet Week, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 2023.

    M. Pisciotta*, H. Pilorgé, J. Davids, and P. Psarras, “Opportunities for Cement Decarbonization,” Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environmental Systems (SDEWES), Paphos, Cyprus, November, 2022.

    M. Pisciotta*, D. Nothaft, N. McQueen, S. Layding, Z. Lu, and P. Psarras, “Ambient Metal Oxide Carbonation Enhancement via Agitation,” 2nd International Conference on Negative CO2 Emissions, Götenborg, Sweden, July, 2022.

    M. Pisciotta*, B. Limb, E. Markey, R. Vercellino, P. Psarras, D. Herber, J. Quinn, and T. Bandhauer, “Flexible Carbon Capture via Thermal Energy Storage for Natural Gas Electricity Production,” Gordon Research Conference on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, Ventura, California, April 2022.

    M. Pisciotta*, H. Pilorgé, J. Feldmann, R. Jacobson, J. Davids, S. Swett, Z. Sasso, and J. Wilcox, “Current State of Industrial Heating and Opportunities for Decarbonization,” Wharton Energy Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 2022.

  • Leadership Experience

    Lambda Grads Vice President, University of Pennsylvania (Sept 2022 – May 2024)

    Dean’s Doctoral Diversity Advisory Board, University of Pennsylvania (Sept. 2021 – May 2024)

    Environmental Justice Working Group Member, AirMiners Carbon Removal Community (March 2021 – Present)

    Lead Researcher and Associate Producer, Legion 44 Carbon Removal Documentary (Oct. 2020 – Present)

    Kleinman Center for Energy Policy Student Council, University of Pennsylvania (May 2022 – May 2023)

    Perry World House Graduate Associate, University of Pennsylvania (Sept. 2021 – May 2023)

    EngiQueers Leadership Team –University of Pennsylvania (March 2021 – Jan. 2023)

    CBE Graduate Student Symposium Organizing Committee, University of Pennsylvania (June 2022 – Oct 2022)

    Climate Leader Inaugural Fellow, University of Pennsylvania (Jan. 2021 – May 2022)

  • Honors and Awards

    2024 President & Provost’s Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life, University of Pennsylvania

    2023 – 2024 Recipient of Chen Family Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania

    2023 – 2024 Winner of Out to Innovate Berkshire Hathaway Scholarship, National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals

    2023 Winner of Perry World House Graduate Essay Prize, Perry World House at University of Pennsylvania

    2022 – 2023 Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology (VIEST) Graduate Fellow, University of Pennsylvania

    2021 Kleinman Birol Fellow at the International Energy Agency, International Energy Agency and University of Pennsylvania

    2nd Place in the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy Student Blog Competition (Dec. 2020)

    1st Place in the oSTEM Annual Conference Research Poster Competition in the Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Category (Nov. 2018)

  • Interests

    Entrepreneurship, Zero-Waste, Social Justice Advocacy, Running, Hiking, Reading, Baking, 3D Modeling