Sarah Ellis (she/her)

About me

I was born/grew up in: Halifax, Nova Scotia

I now live in: Boston, Massachuetts, USA

I completed my training/education at:  Dalhousie University (BSc Hon, Chemistry, Certificate in Materials Science), Queen's University (PhD, Chemistry)

What I do at work

I research and develop new technologies which fight climate change. Using chemistry, I create materials that have never been made before. I work to find solutions to complex problems. I work with people from diverse backgrounds. Together, we take an idea and turn it into a product that will help cut CO₂ emissions or clean water.

My company makes water filters (or membranes) that are used to purify water. This water can come from different sources, even contaminated and dangerous industrial wastewater. I’m part of a team of chemists and engineers that is trying to make the filters work more efficiently and last longer. We have developed ways to separate materials that use less energy.

In an average day, I do hands on work in the lab using chemistry to create new materials for membranes. Once I have made the material, I use specialized equipment to figure out what exactly I made. Sometimes it’s not what I expect to find! I then make the material into a membrane and test it to see how it works as a filter. My team and I analyze the data to decide what to do next.

If the membrane doesn’t work well, I tweak the chemical mixture to try to make it better. (Sometimes the most interesting part of my job is when things don’t work. Then, we get to figure out why!) If the membrane does works well, I work with a different team to take the membrane from a prototype to something that can be manufactured by the ton.

My team and I learn from each membrane we make. As a result, each one is better than the last. Every day is exciting and different because if I have an idea, I can go test it to see if it works. Outside of the lab, I get to mentor young scientists. I also help to make sure my company is a safe and welcoming place to work.

My career path is

When I was in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. It turns out, that’s totally normal and okay! As a student, all I knew was that I wanted to do something practical and hands on that helped the environment. I had a great high school teacher who made chemistry click for me, so I pursued it in university. As an undergrad, there were a lot of opportunities to work with experts in research labs. This work was both fun and showed me that I could use chemistry to fix real problems affecting society.

After undergrad I started a master’s degree doing research in chemistry. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to do a PhD instead. Even though I didn’t have a plan, pursuing what I enjoyed doing and felt passionate about lead me to a career I love. Today, I’m helping to make the world a better place.

I am motivated by

Listening to the news can be downright depressing sometimes. There are forest fires raging across the prairies in the summer. There is drought and food insecurity in Africa. The icecaps in the Artic are melting. Climate change is such a big problem, and as one person we can feel helpless against it. I am motivated to go to work every day because it helps to fight climate change and save the planet as we know it.

Not only is my work important, it is also very exciting work! As a research chemist, I work in teams with extremely talented people. Every day is different! I am always learning new things and gaining new skills. I have seen the things I’ve worked on go from an idea in my head to a real product that I can hold in my hand, and then get made by the ton. I know that the things I work hard on every day in the lab are going to help people and protect our planet. No one person can beat climate change; we all have to do something. I love my career because it helps me do my part.

How I affect peoples’ lives

While climate change affects all of us, unfortunately, it affects poorer people and countries the most. I work at a company, Via Separations, that makes filtration systems. These systems clean water using a fraction of the energy of normal methods. Developing this technology helps to reduce CO₂ emissions and fight climate change. It also makes it cheaper and easier for different industries (like dairy and paper production) to clean their wastewater. This helps reduce pollution.

Outside of work I

I enjoy running, reading, cooking, knitting, being outside, and hanging out with friends. I love speculating on what my cat does around the house when I am not around

My advice to others

Be open to every opportunity. Failure happens to absolutely everyone, so don’t let it get you down. Listen to everyone and get as much advice as you can. Be open to feedback; getting criticism is the best way to grow. Remember that above all, more than cleverness we need gentleness and kindness.