Making Positive Changes in the Environmental Field
Chaz Garraway, MS’26, climate science and engineering, grew up in The Bahamas, experiencing firsthand how climate change impacts the environment and the people who inhabit it. He always knew the importance of environmental work and wanted to contribute to making a positive change.
Chaz Garraway completed his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After graduating, he worked as a civil engineer at multiple companies with a focus on environmental work. Garraway wanted to step into a role that would be directly impacting the climate for the better. Which is why he decided to pursue a graduate degree in climate science and engineering at Northeastern University.
He chose the climate science and engineering program since it equally combines science and engineering, encompassing both disciplines to create a program that effectively covers a plethora of topics to ensure a well-rounded curriculum.
Co-op Experience
Garraway at the Planeteers office in Hamburg, Germany.
Garraway is currently on co-op in Hamburg, Germany, working as an engineering intern for Planeteers. Planeteers is a climate tech startup combating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from point sources such as water treatment plants by accelerating natural limestone weathering in modular reactors. The carbon dioxide is converted into bicarbonate-rich water and discharged into aquatic systems. As an engineering intern, Garraway is exploring the science of ocean alkalinity enhancement, developing an environmental impact study plan and providing support for various tasks, working alongside engineers and scientists. He also works on assembling reactors, conducting field testing and computer simulations.
A memorable moment for Garraway during his co-op was attending the pilot project site for the first time. He said it was amazing to see a project that is currently in testing and see it work in action. Especially looking at everything that was designed on the computer and all the calculations that have been written on paper, becoming a physical thing and being put into action was special to Garraway.
Garraway has been enjoying his role as an engineering intern and getting to participate in making a difference in the climate. After graduating, he wants to continue working to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment and pursue a role similar to his current co-op. He finds working on carbon dioxide removal extremely fascinating and something incredibly important for our climate today.
Garraway and his co-workers visiting the pilot project site.
Classroom Opportunities
Before starting his co-op, Garraway was working with Foley Family Assistant Professor Cristina Schultz on carbon dioxide removal as well. His research role with Professor Schultz is similar to his current co-op position. Both are looking into ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the ocean. With Professor Schultz, Garraway has been working on computer modeling for the ocean and creating modeling simulations to develop efficient ways for carbon dioxide removal.
Garraway and Professor Cristina Schultz.
Besides research opportunities, Garraway has completed two class projects that he has found interesting. In one class, Garraway and his group had to create a climate impact report. They specifically investigated heat waves in the Northwest region of North America. The group researched how these heatwaves were impacting the climate and people in the area, evaluating how the people prepared for the heatwave and looking at how the region could better prepare for these events.
The other project was a life cycle assessment looking at the Boston airport. Garraway and his group designed a flight calculator for the project to track the amount of greenhouse gas emissions each flight produces. Garraway found this project not only interesting but immensely helpful for scientists and engineers to look at how flying is impacting the climate.
During his time at Northeastern, Garraway has also participated as a technical team member in the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon Challenge and as a project team lead in the U.S. DOE Solar District Cup Collegiate Competition. Garraway and his team were tasked with designing a solar PV system to power. Most notably, Garraway served as one of the team leads for Northeastern’s first-ever team to compete in and win the U.S. DOE Geothermal Collegiate Competition.
Garraway and Emma Ortiz presenting their geothermal competition poster during Northeastern’s Sustainability Week in November 2024.
Future Perspectives
For Garraway, alleviating the effects of climate change is both his passion and mission in life. He has appreciated the opportunity to take part in co-op and research experiences that have given him the chance to work directly in the environmental field. He believes this work will greatly impact the future of the Earth’s climate, and it is critical to the health of the environment. Garraway is expected to graduate in May of 2026 and would love to continue working in the fight against climate change.