Ripley Receives 2020 Compass Award

Katelyn Ripley

ChE Katelyn Ripley, E’20, is the recipient of the 2020 Compass Award, which recognizes exemplary students from the senior class who, during their time on campus, have demonstrated a true dedication to a core set of values: leadership, volunteerism, academic integrity, and commitment to Northeastern.


Source: Alumni Relations

Climate change, your time is up … that is, if Katelyn Ripley has anything to say about it. This 2020 Northeastern candidate for a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering, and a Master of Science in engineering management is focused on making a broad impact on cutting carbon dioxide emissions via renewable energy. Her plans to pursue a PhD should help her develop the necessary skills.

Holding a 3.99 GPA, Katelyn’s upward trajectory started from being a fourth-grade inventor, to today, being co-holder of a patent for Aqueous Polysulfide-Based Electrochemical Cell (2020). En route, she has demonstrated her abilities even when, according to DiPietro Assistant Professor of chemical engineering, Joshua Gallaway, “faced with onerous and difficult tasks.” One was establishing a Li-ion fabrication SOP, despite having no Li-ion battery experience. Gallaway has since named her to work on the Department of Education-funded MnO2 project.

Katelyn has also been active in the Northeastern community and the Boston area. She was the STEM outreach chairperson—and now executive student committee representative—for Northeastern’s AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) chapter. As chair, she planned chemistry-based events for Boston elementary, middle and high school students. She has also mentored her peers.

Katelyn has participated in two co-ops at Northeastern: process engineering, and electrochemical research and development (where she co-developed the cell patent). As an energy storage intern at Lockheed Martin Advanced Energy Storage in Cambridge, MA, she developed and operated “sub-scale” cell tests, collected data that was used to identify the root cause of decreased cell performance, and orchestrated a project that upgraded testing capabilities. When she is not involved in her engineering projects, Katelyn plays clarinet in the Pep Band, and also plays club and intramural volleyball.

A member of MA-E Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, and the Northeastern Xi Chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon chemical engineering honor society, Katelyn has won several awards and scholarships, including the William Rand Award, Nabil Morris Award and AIChE Outstanding Junior Award.

And, Katelyn has no plans to stop. “I want to study batteries and electrochemical systems to continue developing new ideas that will help combat global climate change,” she says. The future looks bright for Katelyn … and our planet.

Related Departments:Chemical Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering