We are pleased to welcome Betty Huynh as our summer intern. Betty is a rising junior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, majoring in Industrial and Systems engineering with an emphasis in sustainability. Her interest in environmental justice and technology began after interning with the Cook County Forest Preserves during the summer of 2020. There she learned more about the impacts of sustainable development and social inclusion and developed skills in community outreach and nature conservation.

Inspired by the community efforts of her fellow Youth Outdoor Ambassadors, Betty aspires to incorporate more sustainable practices and communication throughout the world. With hopes to alter sources of waste and reduce toxic by-products from manufacturing through different methods in material handling and facility planning. When she is not thinking about ways to save the environment, she is usually found junk journaling, trying out new restaurants with friends, and manifesting a pet jumping spider.

Over the summer, Betty will support Grid Catalyst’s recruitment process for its 2024 Demonstration Cohort and support research into cold-climate demonstration opportunities for emerging technologies. This work will include examining technologies that have faced hurdles to cold-climate operation and scaling and supporting demonstration projects moving forward in 2023.

Grid Catalyst is fortunate to host Betty in partnership with the University of Minnesota, Institute on the Environment – Sustainability Corps program. This summer program engages undergraduates in internships focused on the Institute on the Environment’s impact goals around energy transition, clean water, and sustainable land use.