Dr. Ilke Celik is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University.

Her research interests are developing sustainability concepts for infrastructure systems and consist of computational and experimental works. More recently, she has focused on developing sustainable energy storage systems integrated with emerging redox battery systems and assessing their sustainability trade-offs. Also, Celik has been generating ideas on incorporating transparent PV technologies with urban agricultural systems to promote nature-inspired solar panels to decentralize city energy production and food supply. 

Dr. Celik earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo, Ohio (USA). She completed a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Chemical Engineering Departments at METU, in Ankara, Turkey. Before joining Portland State University, Dr. Celik taught at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville (2018-2020) and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (2020-2023).

Achyuth Ravilla is a Ph.D. candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Portland State University, conducting innovative research under the mentorship of Dr. Ilke Celik from the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department. Achyuth’s work is focused on advancing the sustainable integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies across diverse applications, including agrivoltaics, the use of lower-dimensional materials in perovskite solar cells, and green hydrogen production through PV-driven water-splitting. Achyuth’s research underscores the economic and environmental viability of solar PV technologies across these cross-functional applications. As a National Science Foundation (NSF) Intern at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), he investigated the feasibility of large-scale green hydrogen production using PV integration. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous sustainability assessment techniques, including life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), his findings showcase the transformative potential of PV technologies in addressing critical environmental challenges. His work has been published in prominent journals, contributing valuable insights into the future of sustainable energy solutions.  

I started my master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Portland State University in the fall of 2024. My research focuses on the life cycle and techno-economic assessments of solar panels. I received my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) in Iran. For my bachelor’s thesis, I worked on a solar organic Rankine cycle with heat storage and modeled the power plant transiently under different conditions. My research interests include renewable energy, energy systems, HVAC systems, and building energy modeling.

Juan Pablo Herrera is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Portland State University, conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Ilke Celik. His work in the university’s sustainability-focused laboratory centers on developing advanced recycling methods for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that reduce environmental impact while enhancing material recovery. Through rigorous life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches Juan Pablo’s research contributes valuable insights into sustainable energy practices and the role of PSCs within a circular economy. With a background that includes interdisciplinary projects like his collaboration with Boston Scientific, which led to multiple patents in medical product design, Juan Pablo’s technical expertise in product development is unparalleled. He combines this expertise with a commitment to sustainable innovation, instilling confidence in his ability to drive forward advancements that merge environmental responsibility with practical applications in renewable energy.

Santiago Grajales Londoño is a Mechanical Engineer from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, with a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and creating impactful solutions. Throughout his professional journey, he has worked for a Colombian-based company as a tutor and mentor, supporting students from leading high schools and universities in Bogotá. He has also contributed as a researcher to sponsored projects with Boston Scientific, focusing on innovative medical solutions and leading efforts in patent submissions.

His undergraduate dissertation centered on computational mechanics, addressing a real-world problem involving Baker Hughes equipment. Santiago also worked as a Junior Project Engineer at the Colombian office of a U.S.-based startup, specializing in creating digital twins of industrial assets. In this role, he added significant value by establishing foundational processes for Scan-to-CAD workflows for parts and vehicles.

Currently, Santiago is a Graduate Research Assistant and Master’s student at Portland State University, conducting research in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department under the guidance of Dr. Ilke Celik. His work primarily focuses on computational modeling, using National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) guidelines to investigate the technical, economic, and financial feasibility of renewable energy projects and proposing solutions that align with sustainability metrics. 

Jules Freeman is an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at Portland State University. His research focuses on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of perovskite solar cells and hydrogen electrolyzers.

Former Team Members