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Renee Duan

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General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Dance
  • Orchestra
  • Piano
  • Boy Scouts
  • Tutoring
  • Chemistry
  • Gardening
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Archery
  • Teaching
  • Environmental Science and Sustainability
  • Welding
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • National Honor Society (NHS)
  • Engineering
  • Research

Reading

  • Fantasy
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hi, I'm Renee! I'm a chemical engineering student at Rice University, passionate about leading in the sustainability transition, or how to work with the planet instead of against it. My research sits at the intersection of catalysis and sustainability. This summer at Purdue's CISTAR center, I'm investigating how to break down plastics into fuels and chemicals, a molecular-level approach to one of the most urgent material problems we face. At Rice's Adams Group, I study electrochemical processes to produce hydrogen peroxide, replacing an energy-intensive industrial process with a cleaner alternative. But I don't think science alone solves environmental problems. That's why I also work as a Renewable Roadshow intern at Environment Texas where I write policy memos, organize community events, and draft coalition letters to protect Texas's clean energy grid. Outside of my research, as External Events Chair for Rice's Society of Women Engineers, I build connections between women and industry, and I earned a Congressional Award Gold Medal and Eagle Scout designation through years of sustained community service, skills I see as tools for building broader coalitions around the sustainability work I care about.

Education

Rice University

Bachelor's degree program

2025 – 2029

Majors:
  • Chemical Engineering

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • External Events Chair

    Events Services · Rice Society of Women Engineers

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Eco-Rep and Barista

    Food & Beverages · Rice Coffeehouse

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Dental Intern

    Dentistry · Pediatric Dentistry San Ramon

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • Communication Team Intern

    Public Relations and Communications · Lawrence Berkeley Lab Molecular Foundry

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • Archery Lead and Camp Counselor

    Education · Wente Scout Reservation

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2023

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Oil & Energy
Dream career goals:
Sustainable Chemical Engineering R&D
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Volunteering
Renee Duan Student Profile | Bold.org