A group of Waterloo Engineering students got some industry assistance with their Capstone Design Project from a team at Sleeman Breweries.
Waterloo Engineering alumnus Melanie Pastorius (BASc, chemical engineering), a quality assurance manager at Sleeman, and her colleague Jonathan Crawshaw, a brewing technical specialist, helped the students land an idea for a project that studied carbon capture from the brewing process.
One of the students, Emily Smyth, met Pastorius at a Women in Engineering (WiE) networking event. When Smyth asked Pastorius if she would consider supporting her and her classmates with their Capstone Design Project, the answer was an immediate yes.
Pastorius is a big believer in paying it forward – and she puts that concept into practice by giving the next generation of women engineers a hand up.
“I’m fortunate to work for a company that promotes growth and giving back,” said Pastorius in a news release. “I believe that when young women repeatedly see other women in all types of roles, they’ll have the courage to challenge themselves and go after their dreams.”
Pastorius has stayed tight with her alma mater throughout her career.
“I’m still closely connected to the University,” she said. “I work with the Women in Engineering group, have mentored students and participate in a number of panels for prospective engineering students.”
With Pastorius and Crawshaw's guidance, the students completed their research project and presented it at Waterloo Engineering's Capstone Symposia in March.