In 2020, Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Wencong Su sought an undergraduate assistant for a project enhancing energy efficiency in the LEED-certified Engineering Lab Building. Teaching graduate courses, Su had limited undergrad connections, so he enlisted a graduate assistant to spread the word. LaRico Andres, a sophomore from Henry Ford College, found the opportunity intriguing and reached out. Though unconventional, Andres, with a full-time job at the Great Lakes Water Authority and a modest GPA, impressed Su with his enthusiasm and relevant experience in instrumentation.
Andres thrived in the project, leading to further collaborations with Su. With support from the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps, Andres attended conferences in Orlando, San Diego, and Austin, conducting over 100 industry interviews on a product Su’s lab was developing. He also helped create an app providing users insight into their carbon footprint using the ELB’s management software. Beyond work, Andres and Su bonded over shared interests and personal stories, discussing challenges like language barriers and financial struggles in Detroit.
Su valued Andres’ perspective, enriched by his Detroit upbringing. Their discussions often intersected with energy systems, highlighting issues like power outages affecting family life. Andres’ experiences shed light on energy justice, emphasizing affordability and accessibility in energy systems. This inspired their 2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience project, developing a mapping tool to explore redlining and energy access disparities in metro Detroit. Andres’ tool revealed that historically redlined neighborhoods often face prolonged power outages and limited renewable energy access. Their work earned an IEEE conference publication in 2023.
As Andres approached graduation, Su encouraged him to consider grad school. Initially, Andres focused on obtaining an engineering degree for better job prospects. However, his work with Su, particularly on energy justice, shifted his perspective. Inspired to help others, Andres enrolled in the department’s doctoral program to continue his research. They are now exploring energy justice topics for his dissertation, including an app predicting power outages using weather data. Such technology could guide infrastructure upgrades and assist communities in preparing for outages.
Andres reflects on his unexpected journey to a PhD program, aiming to continue energy justice research and inspire youth through a nonprofit. He envisions a future as a college professor, inspired by Su’s mentorship. “It’s funny, the opportunities that come up in your life,” Andres says. “Because of Professor Su, I’m setting a new example for the people in my life.” Su, too, finds Andres inspiring, appreciating his dedication and impact on Su’s own research. The collaboration has shifted Su’s focus towards solutions benefiting average people, making research more meaningful.
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