She Wanted To Write Fantasy. Now, She Is Rewriting Recycling. - CleanTechnica

Taylor Uekert, now a senior researcher at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), transitioned from a childhood marked by a wildfire near her San Diego home to a career in nanoengineering focused on environmental solutions. Initially interested in creative writing and bioengineering, she found her passion in nanoengineering, where she studies and manipulates molecular structures to improve materials like plastics and chemicals. Her work aims to enhance recycling processes and help early-stage technologies move from the lab to practical, widespread use, reflecting her desire to create impactful, real-world benefits. Uekert pursued advanced degrees at Cambridge University, researching ways to convert plastic waste into fuel using sunlight and emphasizing the importance of quantifying environmental impacts through life-cycle assessments and techno-economic analyses. Despite some public skepticism about recycling, she remains optimistic about its potential when improved with scientific innovation. Alongside her scientific career, Uekert continues to write creatively, recently authoring a fantasy book inspired by different facets of her personality, illustrating her multifaceted approach