Michael Radio

My Greatest Accomplishment

Institutions widely acknowledge the need to do something about the climate crisis and have pledged commitment to a net-zero future. Decarbonizing a world built on burning fossil fuels requires strategic planning outlining a path with impactful yet realistic targets. Helping to advance an industry responsible for nearly 40% of the global energy related to carbon emissions is my greatest accomplishment. I’ve helped to bring change to the building sector by incorporating advanced digital twin technologies at the earliest stages of building and campus planning for prestigious health care networks, corporations and universities across the country, including my beloved alma mater. The methods I’ve incorporated rapidly generate architectural, mechanical and infrastructure design variations that give owners, developers, architects, contractors, financial service providers and others the most comprehensive set of data possible to make capital spending decisions that lead toward a fossil-fuel-free world.

How Drexel Helped Me

Drexel encouraged me to explore areas, subject matter and opportunities that I had previously never considered. With the co-op program, I had the opportunity to accrue challenging work experience in my chosen engineering field, along with real-life training that proved to be extremely valuable when I graduated. I came to Drexel interested in engineering, and equally intrigued with the open walk-on spot on the basketball team. Through engineering, basketball and student life, I was exposed to new, interesting people from around the world, with backgrounds, interests and skillsets different from mine. This helped me see where I could add value in the diverse, collaborative and team-oriented environment so important in my profession today.

Where I Hope to Be in Five Years

I am steadfastly committed to eliminating fossil fuels from buildings and campus infrastructure. Tech is advancing at such a rapid pace that in five years, I hope to remain flexible and adaptive enough to identify and respond to new advances in the path toward decarbonization. Incorporating new technologies in the sustainable building design process is what helped me accelerate my growth in the industry to this date, and I want to continue to expand my knowledge base and be a lifelong learner. I also hope to get fresh ideas and perspectives through strengthening my network, especially my Drexel family; seeing their successes has helped to inspire and motivate me.

How I Pay It Forward

Transitioning away from decades, sometimes centuries-old, fossil fuel-based infrastructure is a complex endeavor that is inherently long term and requires commitment to see it through. I try to inspire the next generation of engineers to stay persistent and balance detail-oriented engineering with the bigger picture. Truth be told, I didn’t fully grasp the building industry’s impact on energy usage or decarbonization when I first started in this profession. I try to encourage myself and others to evolve and adapt as more and more data is available to inform our world. Through mentorship opportunities, professional organizations such as ASHRAE, and national conferences, I try to share the impact we as engineers can have on realizing the vision of a cleaner, more sustainable world.