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Henrik Helmig

Henrik Helmig is a graduating senior in the environmental engineering program and a 2025 recipient of a Research Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Below, Helmig reflects on his time at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ and his next steps as an engineering professional.

What are your post-graduation plans?

Last week, I received and accepted a position to study vertical aerosol profiles and aerosol-cloud interactions in arctic regions at EPFL - Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne. The position is a four-year PhD appointment that I'm incredibly excited about. I will be starting this September, and my project will focus on performing vertically resolved measurements of aerosols, trace gases, and meteorological variables using the lab's helikite facility.

What is your favorite memory from your time at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ?

My favorite memory here at CU has been having the opportunity to conduct laboratory research within Marina Vance's air quality lab. I was ecstatic when I got accepted into the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) program, which enabled me to dive into hands-on environmental engineering work and explore my passion for atmospheric chemistry.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?

I was able to present research that I conducted through the NSF-IRES's program at an international conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Last September, I travelled to Malaysia to present my research on "Coupling NASA satellite aerosol data with surface low-cost air sensor observations for mapping brick kiln particle emissions in and around the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh" at the 18th International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Science Conference.

When did you feel like you hit your stride or feel like you were “officially” an engineer.

This semester, I have been a part of an amazing senior design project where my group has been working on a project called "Cleaning School Air in Commerce City - An Inexpensive, VOC-Removing, Activated Carbon Insert for Portable Air Cleaner".��

This class and project have enabled me to utilize multiple aspects of my environmental engineering education, from fluid dynamics and thermodynamics to air quality monitoring and materials selection, all in one hands-on experience.��

I really felt like I hit my stride and officially felt like an engineer when we began prototyping and testing our design in the laboratory on East Campus. Being in the lab, problem-solving with my teammates, and iterating based on real data gave me this sense of full circle, which felt quite satisfying.����

Helmig being interviewed on National Science Foundation��
research he conducted in Bangladesh.

What is your biggest piece of advice for incoming engineering students?

This response is tailored to provide advice for students wanting to pursue research. It can be daunting. Being surrounded by brilliant people who are conducting cutting-edge research and tackling complex scientific questions can sometimes make you take a step back and question your own abilities.��

Imposter syndrome is real, and it’s inevitable to have feelings that your contributions aren’t as meaningful as those of others. However, the biggest thing that I have learned during these four years of undergraduate schooling is that research is not about knowing everything from the start; rather, it is about staying engaged, not being afraid to ask questions, and being motivated to embrace challenges as a diverse learning experience.��

I came into Boulder knowing that if I wanted to gain research experience, I would have to go out of my way and connect with as many professors and people in the field as possible. Although taking this step was one that required extensive research and motivation, it proved to be very rewarding as it initiated my journey into the world of scientific discovery.��

The best part of being involved in this field is that almost everyone you talk to is motivated to help you find an opportunity to learn or grow. Whether it be a professor, a graduate student, or someone in your field of interest, people are more than eager to share their work and offer guidance if you show genuine curiosity.

What experiences or qualities do you think led to you receiving this award?

First and foremost, I have been able to foster strong relationships with mentors, professors, and peers who have inspired and supported me throughout my time at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ.��

I have been able to foster a sense of curiosity and persistence that has driven me to take on challenging research projects, such as my work in Vance’s air quality lab and my NSF research.��

I have also learned not to give up when facing adverse moments in my work. Oftentimes in research, you may come across setbacks that can make you feel as though you're taking two steps backward for every step forward, and I've learned to embrace these difficult moments in pursuit of achieving the goals of a certain research project.����