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Statement of Purpose-UIUC
Statement of Purpose-UIUC
how climate change is anticipated to dramatically alter rainfall and crop yield patterns, and trade
pattern in particular, seems very insightful as it would help my work discover new levels under
his expert guidance.
Yashika Agarwalla M.S. in Environmental Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Fall 2013
During my third year of under-graduation, my work on Air Pollution Management through Innovations
in Construction Technology- A Case Study of Using Semiconductors (TiO2) in Cement for Reducing
Tropospheric NOx Concentration was one the very few potential projects to receive extensive funding
from the university. Through this project we aimed to devise a self-cleaning mechanism in cement to
reduce NOx in the environment. Added on, my inspiration to take up environment engineering as an
educational goal was further strengthened when my idea on Innovations in White Cement was awarded
amongst Ten Best Concept Notes in India by Birla White Cement.
With due interest in building energy consumption which account to almost 40% of energy consumptions ,
another aspect of my research was on Simulating the Impact of Various Constructional Schemes on the
Air-Conditioning Load of a Building which has received acceptance at the 5th International Congress on
Environmental Research. As a part of this research I got my hands on a building energy simulation
software, e-Quest. This project was based on reducing the energy loads of a building by inculcating
sustainable technologies within it.
Having embarked upon as a novice researcher, I then decided to gain exposure into the industry & thus
took up a months internship at Oil & Natural Gas Corporation under the aegis of Mr. Arun Kumar
Mittal, Deputy General Manager, Civil Department, Nazira, Assam Asset. During this tenure, I learnt
about its organizational structure and for the first time came to terms with the actual world of tendering.
As a trainee, I had taken up the job of planning out the activities of Resurfacing & strengthening of roads
within the colony. To get a glimpse of the environmental scenario, I studied the water supply system
there. My morale was further boosted by the personalized certificate from my mentor on account of my
diligence & soft skills.
I have always had an inclination towards serving the society, a testimony to this was Medibeep, a cofounded initiative to provide free vaccination alerts through SMS. As the Vision & Strategy Head, I
helped Medibeep spread through its partnered organization Lioness Club of Brahmaputra Valley in the
north-eastern states of India. This project had received appreciation from Gujarats Honble Chief
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. Moreover, this initiative was also internationally appreciated at the Global
Initiatives Symposium, 2012, Taiwan.
Apart from building a portfolio in research at an undergraduate level, I continued achieving distinction in
academics and thus maintained a record of being amongst the top five students in my batch. Also, I did
not just restrict myself to this geek side, while at Nirma University; I received several accolades in public
speaking, folk & western dance. Another aspect that I have always kept improving is my interest for
sketching in which I have received formal training of four years.
Having stated my purpose to seek admission & enlisted the efforts made in the same direction , I will
make full use of the education imparted by experienced faculty at your esteemed university, advanced
research facilities and an inspiring academic climate. I would take it as a matter of extreme pride, if
granted a financial assistance of any sort; either in the form of a Teaching or Research Assistant at the
university. While continuing to deepen my theoretical knowledge, I will endeavor to acquire latest
information on environmental science and technology. In addition, I will continue to improve my
experimental skills, including the skills of operating new instruments. All those efforts are designed for
just one purpose to develop myself into a leading environmental specialist who can make important
contributions to the countrys fledgling cause of environmental engineering as a researcher or a
consultant.
Sincerely
Yashika Agarwalla