McCormick Researchers, Alumni, Featured In Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Series
Forbes’ annual “30 under 30” list, which recognizes 30 innovators under 30 years old across 15 categories, includes notable Northwestern University researchers and inventors for their work that began at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Chris Wilmer was selected to the 30 under 30: Energy category for his landmark research at McCormick. A PhD candidate in chemical and biological engineering, Wilmer worked with Randy Snurr, professor of chemical and biological engineering, and a research team to invent a method to find and synthesize crystals that have the ability to absorb greenhouse gases and store natural gas.
Local high school student Jonny Cohen was also chosen in the Energy category for his work within the Segal Design Institute at McCormick. Working with Stacy Benjamin, senior lecturer and director of Segal’s Certificate in Engineering Design, Cohen developed an airfoil called Greenshield that can mount atop buses, making them more aerodynamic and energy efficient. He hopes to eventually receive Environmental Protection Agency approval for his latest version of the device, which improves gas mileage by 15 percent.
McCormick alumnus Nikhil Sethi (electrical engineering, ’10), and former computer science student Garrett Ullom were recognized in Forbes’ 30 under 30: Marketing and Advertising. Their company, Adaptly, offers a unified platform for advertisers to place ads across all social networks. The idea for the company was born during their NUvention: Web course at McCormick two years ago, and has since garnered $13 million in funding, 60 employees, and clients that include PepsiCo, Kraft, and Arby’s.