My name is Brenda Rea, and I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh, studying Chemical Engineering through the Swanson School of Engineering. This summer, I will be participating in the SERIUS program offered at the National University of Singapore (NUS), a summer undergraduate research program for students from selected schools in the US and Canada. Specifically, I have been placed in the Multiphase Pipe Flow Lab under the direction of Professor Loh Wai Lam in the Mechanical Engineering Department. This lab studies the multiphase flow of oil, water, and gas through pipelines that simulate conditions in the oil and gas industry. During my time at NUS, I will be modeling these flow regimes using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with software systems such as ANSYS and COMSOL. These simulations will provide more accurate numerical modeling of pipe flow to aid in the engineering design of oil and gas equipment.

As a chemical engineer, this work is highly relevant because I am considering a career in the oil and gas industry. This lab experience will provide me with insights into the specifics of the oil and gas industry, and I hope it will help me determine if it is an industry I would consider working in after my graduation this upcoming May. I am eager to make meaningful contributions to this lab and explore all that Singapore and Southeastern Asia have to offer. This is my first time traveling to Asia, so I am hoping to soak it all in and make the most of my experience on all fronts!