Eric sustains a strong research portfolio and works to develop new technologies that expand the frontiers of sustainability. He helps to develop mutually beneficial linkages with industry to develop partnerships and collaborative research and, where applicable, technology transfer, contract work, and commercialization of intellectual property. One key focus is the development of our innovation and translation program design for circular economy. As Director Emeritus, Eric provides strategic counsel related to the Center.

Eric Beckman received his BS in chemical engineering from MIT in 1980, and a PhD in polymer science from the University of Massachusetts in 1988. Dr. Beckman assumed his faculty position at the University of Pittsburgh in 1989, was promoted to associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 1997. He received a Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation in 1992, and the Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 2002. He previously served as Associate Dean for Research for the School of Engineering and Chairman of Chemical Engineering. In 2003, Dr. Beckman co-founded the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, a school of engineering institute that examines the design of more sustainable infrastructure. In 2005, he co-founded Cohera Medical Inc. to commercialize surgical adhesive technology developed at the University. Dr. Beckman took an entrepreneurial leave of absence from the University in 2007-2009 to help move the products to market. Dr. Beckman's research group examines the use of molecular design to solve problems in green product formulation and in the design of materials for use in tissue engineering. He has published over 175 papers and has received more than 40 US patents.

Dr. Bilec is responsible for providing research leadership and strategic MCSI direction, which includes developing new programs and promoting and facilitating leading-edge collaborative research. Dr. Bilec helps to build and provide support for a community of innovative researchers to enhance research capacity at the University and increase internal and external research opportunities for faculty and students. She works to develop networks between the Center and partners, acting as the nexus between the University and the community developing strong linkages with appropriate departments and programs. With the MCSI team, Dr. Bilec is focusing on developing and implementing a new design for circular economy program.

Dr. Bilec is an associate professor in the Swanson School of Engineering’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; she is the Deputy Director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation.  Dr. Bilec’s research program focuses on the built environment, life cycle assessment, sustainable healthcare, and indoor air impacts.  She is interested in improving system-level environmental performance of buildings, while developing a deeper understanding of indoor environmental quality, occupant impacts, and energy use.  She is the Principal Investigator of a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research project, NSF EFRI-Barriers, Understanding, Integration – Life cycle Development (BUILD). Dr. Bilec has over 40 journal publications and has secured over $6 million in funding, including 8 National Science Foundation grants.  She has received four education excellence awards. Dr. Bilec’s work prior to academia included tenure at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh where she worked on green infrastructure projects, including the conversion of a 100-year bridge into a pedestrian bridge.  Dr. Bilec serves on the Green Building Alliance board.

Ellie is a critical partner to the MCSI leadership team helping to ensure successful planning and implementation of its educational programs, marketing, and logistics. Ellie works with faculty to advise students on research, education, and service opportunities related to sustainability-focused courses, the undergraduate certificate, sustainability transcript distinction, Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering, and first year programs. 

Ellie graduated in April 2020 from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Environmental Studies, minors in legal studies and Spanish, and a GIS certificate. As an undergraduate, Ellie served as a Sustainability Program Associate for the Office of PittServes and co-directed the Student Office of Sustainability.

Esmée serves as the Administrative Coordinator for MCSI as well as the Office of Sustainability. In her previous role, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Center for Sustainable Business at Pitt’s Katz School of Business.

She graduated from Chatham University in 2022 with a B.S. in Environmental Science. As an undergraduate, Esmée served as a field research assistant at Hubbard Brook Research Foundation in New Hampshire as well as an undergraduate researcher in ecology field studies focused on restoration of native plant species in 2^nd growth PA forests.

In her free time Esmee enjoys going for runs and taking care of her house plants

Savannah Denlinger serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for MCSI. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Geology from Allegheny College in 2018, where her thesis work was "Urban Green Roofs: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Allegheny College". She also has a M.S. in Sustainable Engineering from Pitt. During her time here, she worked as an Aquaponics and Environmental Education Intern at the Bible Center Church in Homewood with the Oasis Project. She will graduate this spring with a Masters in Secondary Education from Carlow University. Savannah worked at City Charter High School as a Math and Science Teaching Associate and is currently a chemistry teacher at Bishop Canevin High School. She also has experience as an AmeriCorps member and as a summer camp counselor at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Grace Fanning is a senior pursuing majors in Environmental Studies and Urban Studies as well as achieving the Sustainability Certificate. They are co-captain of the rugby team, and they also volunteer with the Plant2Plate garden on campus. They have previously been involved with the Green Team at Pitt as both a member and a leader. In their free time, they like to listen to music, cook, and go thrift shopping.

Elaina Geiger is a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering and pursuing a certificate in Sustainability. She is currently the Sustainability committee chair for Epsilon Eta and recently participated in the Student Undergraduate Research Internship (SURI) program with her research on bacteria in Pittsburgh's water distribution system. In her free time, Elaina loves reading, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible!

Jess Gondak is a junior pursuing both an undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a focus in Materials Science and a certificate in Sustainability. She is a member of Epsilon Eta Delta, Pitt's environmental honors fraternity, and has experience both as an undergraduate researcher and an undergraduate teaching assistant. She is from State College, Pennsylvania. In her free time, she enjoys cross-stitching, taking care of her houseplants, and spending time with her cat. Jess will be writing MCSI's seasonal alumni newsletter and helping with edits to the website.

Emily Hoag is a junior majoring in Environmental Science with minors in Environmental Engineering and Political Science. She loves to be outdoors and go hiking and exploring in her free time. She hopes to visit all of the national parks one day!

Tony Kerzmann's educational background began with the attainment of a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Duquesne University, as well as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from Pitt, Tony became a Mechanical Engineering Professor at Robert Morris University which afforded him the opportunity to research, teach, and advise. One of Tony’s major research projects while at RMU was his work with a research group to develop alternative fueling station optimization simulations that led to numerous publications. Tony served as the mechanical coordinator for the Engineering Department for 6 years, and was the Director of Outreach for the Research and Outreach Center in the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. Throughout Tony’s academic career, he taught over 70 course sections and advised over 65 student projects.

Gena rejoined Pitt's School of Engineering in July 2003 as Co-Director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. She has 23 years of experience in development, marketing, and external relations.

Gena provides administrative and strategic leadership for the Center, a role in which she deepens engagements and develops partnerships that promote collaboration with industry, government, foundations, and universities. Gena leads efforts and represents the interests of the Center which includes supervising personnel, financial management, and organizational practices that foster positive, impactful relationships internally and externally. She is accountable for the smooth and successful development and implementation of all MCSI events and programs. Gena concurrently serves as Strategic Advisor to the Dean of the Swanson School of Engineering. In this expanded role, Gena helps to formalize and lead development of the Swanson School’s strategic processes and operationalizing its strategy across all units. She is also charged with forging new partnerships and working relationships across Pitt, our community, and our region.

Gena previously served as Vice President for Development at Shady Side Academy and, before that, as Senior Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Pitt's School of Engineering. Prior to working at Pitt's engineering school, she managed donor relations and special events at Carnegie Mellon University. A native of Pittsburgh, she holds a B.A. from Penn State University in journalism and political science and a Master's of Management and Public Policy with a certificate in nonprofit management from Pitt.

Gena currently serves as a member of the Allegheny County Green Action Team and on the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Green Innovators.

Sophia Lex is a junior Environmental Engineer with a focus on Sustainability and Engineering for Humanity. She wishes to use her engineering background to help people and the planet, which is why she has involved herself with both the Mascaro Center and the ScholarCHEF community as an intern!

Dr. Sanchez is responsible for building research and scholarly initiatives around Sustainable Water, Sustainable Food, Sustainable Innovation, and Global Engagement. Dr. Sanchez is also responsible for managing and directing MCSI’s Faculty, Education, and Community Engagement programs, which include the John C. Mascaro Faculty program, the Len Peters Faculty Fellows, the Community Education Fellows, the Master’s in Sustainable Engineering, the university-wide undergraduate certificate in sustainability and the Student Sustainable Innovation Fund. Dr. Sanchez continues to expand our network of positive working relationships with faculty, administration, students, and external partners (e.g. NGOs, Government agencies, Startups, and Fortune 500 companies) that support our broad education and research agenda. He also oversees the undergraduate and graduate sustainability curriculum and our K-12 programming. 

David V.P. Sanchez is an Assistant Professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s Civil & Environmental Engineering department and serves as the Associate Director for the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. He coordinates the Design EXPO that showcases 90+ projects from ~400 students every semester and serves as the Director for the Manufacturing Assistant Center’s Makerspace, Constellation Energy’s Inventor Labs, the Series Workshops and some engineering collaborations in the community of Homewood.  

His research is focused on identifying sustainable designs that address the Water and Energy grand challenges in the natural and built environment on a local/regional scale. Current projects include engineering electrode morphology for bio-electrochemical systems, designing sensors to identify water quality trends in real-time and, developing hydroponic systems for the phytoremediation of PFAS, removing off-flavors from Recirculating Aquaponic systems, and enhancing community agricultural systems.  

Dr. Sanchez is the recipient of several awards including a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, IGERT Traineeship, Alfred P. Sloan Scholarship, Pittsburgh Business Time Energy Award, Best Mentor Award for Pitt’s Excel program, Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Soska Wilds Outreach and Engagement Leadership award. David actively leads international engineering trips on behalf of the Swanson School of Engineering.

Dr. Patrick Shirey is a Postdoctoral Associate working with Daniel Bain and Anthony Iannacchione on bituminous coal mine subsidence impacts. He is a Certified Ecologist (Ecological Society of America) and Certified Fisheries Professional (American Fisheries Society), and serves as an Associate Director with the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory (water.pitt.edu). Patrick conducts multidisciplinary research using techniques from his terminal degrees in ecology (Ph.D.) and law (J.D.). He has given over 40 scientific presentations (19 invited) and has published an invited comment in Nature and 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts in Conservation Letters, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Ecology and Society, Ecohydrology, Fisheries, the Journal of Paleolimnology, and other journals. His recently published research topics include urban stream restoration, endangered species conservation policy, environmental DNA, and science communication.

Patrick has won national research and policy awards including a George Melendez Wright Climate Change Research Fellowship from the National Park Service and was 1 of 35 early career aquatic scientists selected to participate in an NSF-funded symposium hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi – 2014 Ecological Dissertations in the Aquatic Sciences (Eco-DAS). He has been a recorded radio guest on NPR’s All Things Considered, a live radio guest on WOJB (Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation) to discuss brook trout conservation, and live radio guest answering listener questions on NPR’s Science Friday to discuss the illegal trade of endangered species.