During my internship at Cella Mineral Storage, I was tasked with developing and executing computer models for high-impact projects central to the company's mission. Cella is known for its innovative approach to carbon dioxide mineralization and accelerating the Earth's natural geological processes to convert CO2 into stable minerals. My work involved creating and refining models that predict the scale and dynamics of this mineralization process. This included simulating the behavior of carbon dioxide plumes post-injection and understanding pressure and flow regimes in the subsurface. These models are crucial for evaluating how effective Cella's methods can be on a large scale and in different geological settings. This framework is designed to be adaptable for future applications in various sites, thus extending Cella's impact globally.

The alignment between my project and Cella’s mission was apparent in the way my work supported the organization’s broader goals. I was able to directly contribute to mitigating climate change by improving our understanding of the mineralization process. Working in such a field, with colleagues who are deeply committed to environmental solutions, was both inspiring and rewarding. This experience further highlighted the significance of combining advanced computational tools with practical applications to address pressing global challenges.

Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to apply a range of skills and knowledge from my carbon management degree. One of the key components of my project was extensive data gathering and simulation, tasks that closely mirrored the modeling research I had conducted with Professor Shaina Kelly. This background was extremely helpful as I navigated the complexities of creating accurate and reliable models for carbon mineralization.

In addition, my coursework in carbon storage was particularly relevant during our operations meetings, where I utilized my understanding of monitoring well design to contribute to discussions and decisions. This practical application of theoretical knowledge highlighted the importance of integrating academic concepts with real-world challenges.

Moreover, representing Cella at various industry conferences allowed me to articulate how Cella’s technology fits within the broader suite of carbon management solutions. This experience was a significant opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice, and demonstrate how different technologies work in tandem to address climate change. The internship was also an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how engineers and scientists collaborate, balancing tradeoffs and integrating diverse expertise to achieve common goals.

One of the primary challenges I encountered during my internship was addressing data gaps in the model development process. Accurate subsurface modeling requires precise parameters, and locating relevant data in existing literature from around the world was a time-consuming task. Although subsurface modeling is a well-established field, finding parameters that accurately reflect the specific characteristics of the intended injection sites presented a unique challenge. This process involved extensive review of scientific literature and ongoing discussions with colleagues to evaluate the merits of various model parameters. Deciding how many parameters to include was another challenge, as each additional parameter added complexity and increased computational demands. Balancing the need for detailed, high-resolution models with practical considerations of computational efficiency was a critical aspect of the project. Despite these challenges, I am grateful for the invaluable support and guidance from the Cella team. Their willingness to provide feedback and advice helped me navigate these issues effectively and I learned the importance of remaining curious and innovative in problem-solving.

I am incredibly grateful to both the Tamer Institute and Cella Mineral Storage for the outstanding internship experience. The opportunity to engage with various functions of Cella — from participating in operations meetings to working closely with the science team — provided me with a comprehensive view of the organization’s functions and goals. This exposure deepened my understanding of how different teams collaborate towards common objectives, and encouraged me to explore my interests in both operational and scientific aspects of the company.

The mentorship of Claire Nelson was particularly valuable. Her guidance not only enhanced my technical skills but also provided me with the chance to moderate a panel discussion on carbon storage at "Carbon Unbound USA." This conference was an excellent platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities in the field of carbon storage, including issues related to permitting and the value of permanence. The insights gained from this experience were instrumental in shaping my understanding of the sector and reinforcing my commitment to advancing carbon management solutions. Overall, the internship was a transformative experience which expanded my knowledge and professional network, laying a strong foundation for my future career in climate change mitigation.