Interview with 2011 Connecticut State Winner

U.S. Stockholm Jr. Water Prize

2011 Connecticut State Winner:  William Hallisey Greenwich High School

Project title: “Electrified Nanoscale Architecture in Mixed Matrix Membranes as a Means of Rapid Throughput Water Sterilization,”

CT_Hallisey

We’ve asked William Hallisey, last year’s Connecticut State Winner, to answer some questions about his experience participating in the U.S. Stockholm Jr. Water Prize Competition held in Chicago, IL last year..

1. How would you describe your experiences at the 2011 SJWP National Competition in Chicago?
I would describe my experiences at the 2011 SJWP National competition as incredibly fun and memorable. It was a wonderful platform to get to meet so many other students and learn about their water-related research work. Everyone was so friendly and interested in each other’s research, and the opportunity to share ideas among students and with the scientists was very educational. It was a great learning environment and everyone involved, including the organizers, students and scientists, couldn’t have been more welcoming and approachable. It was a small enough group that we were able to get to know each other more than in many larger situations.
2. How did you first hear about the Stockholm Junior Water Prize?
When I won the opportunity to be considered for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for Connecticut at the Connecticut Science Fair.
3. What sparked your interest in doing a water-related science project?
I became interested in water filtration after my experience on a scientific research vessel when I observed the enormous amount of energy necessary to desalinate water to produce potable water as part of the osmotic filtration process. Current filtration methods of both forward and reverse osmosis consume large quantities of energy and exchange one problem, a lack of potable water, for another, a rapidly depleting supply of energy. Water quality and access to safe drinking water is a pressing global issue and one of the critical challenges that my generation will face. There is an urgent need to discover new solutions as a lack of potable water threatens global health, social stability and the environment.
4. What was your favorite activity at the 2011 National Competition?
My favorite activity, aside from the competition itself and the group activity reversing the river, was the tour of Chicago.
5. Have you kept in touch with any of the students you met at the National Competition?
Yes. I have enjoyed hearing everyone’s updates through Facebook. That was a great way to communicate ahead of the competition and to stay in touch with each other since.
6. What grade are you in, and what do you hope to do in the future (college, leaning toward any particular profession, etc.)?
I am currently a senior and am interested in continuing to do research and pursuing a career in environmental science and policy.
7. Anything else you’d like to add?
How incredibly friendly and nice everyone was. I had a great time!

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