Zonglin P.

Major/Minor

Junior, BS in Computer Science; Minor in Electrical & Computer Engineering
Completed Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) at the Boston, Massachusetts Project Center
An IQP is often called life-changing by WPI students, requiring teams to delve into a problem that matters to real people.
Project

For their project, Zonglin and his two teammates tackled the problem of reversing groundwater pollution caused by contaminated properties and waste sites around the country. Using state waste site databases, remedial monitoring reports, site visits, and interviews, the team worked with their sponsor, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, to determine if efficient, renewable energy sources like solar power could be effective in the groundwater remediation process.

Reflection

Students learn many skills over the course of an IQP experience, from time management and organization to leadership; the one with the biggest impact on Zonglin was communication. Whether discussing ideas or determining deadlines, learning the most effective methods of communication to ensure he and his teammates were on the same page in all regards proved invaluable from day one. It's a skill he’s confident he’ll be able to utilize in the future.

profile photo for Zonglin
Hometown

Beijing, China

Major/Minor

BS in Computer Science; Minor in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Project Advisor(s)

Seth Tuler

Project Sponsor

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

More About Zonglin's Project
More About the Boston Immersion
7:00am

Wake up and get ready for the day before heading to Union Station to catch the train to Boston.

9:00am
11:45am

Grab lunch downstairs in the food court.

1:00pm

Work on data collection and analysis for the rest of the day.

4:20pm

Take the train back to Worcester from South Station.

6:00pm

Walk back to campus and get ready for dinner.

7:30pm

Head to the gym for some basketball and to work out with friends.

10:00pm

Organize everything for tomorrow back at my place and get ready for bed.

12:00am

Go to bed.

8:30am

Wake up and prepare breakfast.

9:00am

Work on personal and academic projects.

12:00pm

Have lunch with friends.

2:00pm

Bike to campus and head to the library for some studying.

6:00pm

Have dinner (outside, if the weather’s nice).

7:30pm

Head to the gym for some basketball and to work out with friends.

9:30pm

Make a call to catch up with my family.

10:00pm

Organize everything for tomorrow back at my place and get ready for bed.

12:00am

Go to bed.

project group in waste management facility
Participating in a waste remediation plant tour as part of the project field work
project group on guided tour
Enjoying a guided walking tour of Boston with the other students from the Boston Project Center
project group getting of the train
Commuting to the Boston Project Center with project teammates
Zonglin working at a table
Working at the Boston Project Center with teammates
Zonglin presenting to a group of community members
Presenting final recommendations at the MassDEP office to the project sponsor
group photo
Going on an architectural boat tour of Boston with the other students from the Boston Project Center
project group working at a table
Conducting a kick off project meeting in Worcester with teammates
project group working on a presentation
Working on a classroom exercise during the preparatory coursework
project group at a pizza party
Enjoying a pizza party with other students from the Boston Project Center at the completion of the IQP
The biggest takeaway I got from the project was teamwork. I learned that communication is the key to effective teamwork.