Meet The Aquagga Team

Dr. Brian Pinkard has previously spearheaded efforts at the University of Washington to develop mobile hydrothermal systems for the destruction of bulk chemical weapon stockpiles. Brian is a widely published expert in the field of hydrothermal processing.

Chris Woodruff brings a blend of mechanical engineering, project management, and operational experience spanning the construction, aerospace, and consumer electronics industries. Chris serves as Principal Investigator (PI) on several contracts supporting the demonstration and validation of Aquagga’s hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT) PFAS destruction technology. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an MS from the University of Washington, and is a former ORISE fellow through the Arctic Advanced Manufacturing Innovators Program.

Mike is a mechanical engineer with a well-rounded technical background in aerospace and startup environments. He has worked on projects ranging from airplane hydraulics, to football helmet design, to consumer product design, and to the design of an experimental combustion reactor for studying particle formation in flames.

Cody is a recent graduate from the University of Washington Mechanical Engineering program, currently working to complete his Master's while supporting Aquagga's technical development efforts

Hilary is a seasoned marketing professional, boasting over a decade of expertise in content creation, project management, and strategic development. Her passion lies in leveraging her marketing acumen to propel Aquagga's mission of fostering positive social impact. With a proven track record of success, Hilary is dedicated to steering innovative and impactful marketing strategies that align seamlessly with Aquagga's overarching vision.

Calvin Rhodes is a multidisciplinary Mechanical Engineer working on Engineering Development and Project Management at Aquagga. Calvin's experience ranges from developing computer vision and autonomous navigation technology to designing and fabricating parts for a wide range of engineering and technical projects including aerospace and automotive industries.

Ariella Halevi comes from a background of consumer product design and has a long history with local environmental restoration. She completed her BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a minor in Art. In 2021, she left engineering to complete an environmentally-focused AmeriCorps service term before returning to a career focused on environmental engineering.

Somnath (Som) holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle. He has over a decade of experience working in thermal and gas power plants in India, holding various roles and possessing engineering expertise in multiple control systems and operational technologies.

Gus has spent the last decade studying neural control systems and self-learning algorithms for control optimization. He received his undergraduate in Neurobiology & Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison, and his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Washintgon - Seattle. He is passionate about translating scientific research through engineering to solve problems for people.

Quinn is a dedicated Lean/Continuous Improvement Leader who excels at using proven methods and cutting-edge technology to successfully cut costs, streamline operations, and increase productivity.

Angie Karsama is a B2B marketing professional who brings a wealth of knowledge in technical marketing, business development, content strategy, and social media. She enjoys crafting compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences.

Working previously as Research Engineer for the University of Washington, Conrad has experience developing PFAS destruction systems in an academic setting. His background includes working with supercritical water and CO2 for an array of applications, ranging from PFAS treatment to particle synthesis. He is passionate about translating scientific findings into technologies that bring about broad environmental impact.

Annie brings a deep expertise in chemistry, specifically with polymer synthesis, nanomaterials, and advanced analytical techniques. With a proven track record of securing prestigious NSF fellowships, she brings multidisciplinary experience from her work at both a biomedical research center and a national lab. Annie thrives in the R&D department, where her creativity and curiosity fuel impactful solutions in the public health space.

Josh is a Mechanical Engineer with experience in electrical and mechanical systems from complex facilities and aerospace projects. He is passionate about system design and is working on the product development team adding design refinements and improvements.

Juliet is a dynamic and versatile researcher with a deep background in polymer chemistry, analytical chemistry, and human health sciences. She has extensive experience in indoor air quality (IAQ) field investigations, mycology, and eco-friendly waste management, reflecting her broad scientific knowledge and adaptability. Juliet excels at optimizing processes, streamlining systems, and testing variables efficiently, all while demonstrating a keen attention to detail.

Aquagga Co-Founder and former CEO (2019-2024). Nigel Sharp is a serial entrepreneur, and technologist, passionate about startups and their potential to make positive social and environmental impact. He has held successive management and community leadership roles at various US academic institutions and multiple startups. As an advisor to Aquagga, he brings his broad experience in fundraising, marketing, customer discovery, community relations, IT Security, and leadership.

Timothy Strathmann is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. His research aims to develop more sustainable technologies for water treatment and waste valorization. Most recently, his research program has focused on developing innovative technologies for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including being the lead inventor of the hydrothermal alkaline treatment technology for PFAS (HALT-PFAS). Dr. Strathmann is the recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and his research is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the Semiconductor Research Corporation.

Dr. Igor Novosselov is a Research Professor at the University of Washington's Mechanical Engineering Department and an adjunct at the School of Public Health. His research spans fluid and thermodynamics, supercritical fluids, nanomaterials, and aerosol sciences. Current projects include PFAS treatment in hydrothermal systems, metal-organic framework synthesis in supercritical CO2, and non-thermal plasma applications. His work also focuses on novel sensing technologies for particulate matter and low-cost sensor networks. Before UW, he developed aerosol sampling instrumentation and modeled pollution formation using computational fluid dynamics.

Stephan Reckie is a seasoned sales executive with extensive operational success in the software, cleantech, and Space technology sectors. As the CEO of Angelus Funding, he runs a trust-based global angel network. With a background in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University, Stephan has held key international sales roles and played a pivotal part in Texas Instruments' acquisition of Telogy Networks. He teaches entrepreneurial sales at Gonzaga University, serves on several boards, and has traveled extensively, bringing a global perspective to his work.

Daniel has over a decade of experience in selling environmental sensors and systems to a variety of academic, governmental, and industrial clients. He has an MSc in River Environmental Management from the University of Birmingham (UK).

Dr. Dhileep Sivam has over 25 years of experience in early-stage technology development from hands-on R&D to interfacing with global thought-leaders to formulate worldwide technology deployment strategies. For the last 15 years, he has held leadership positions in clean and climate tech development at Intellectual Ventures, Gates Ventures, and Breakthrough Energy. Dhileep brings a blend of technical knowledge, commercialization experience, and a passion for building high-performing, high-trust, and collaborative workplace cultures.