David van Velden

Background

About David van Velden

As a Civil and Environmental Engineering student at Princeton University, I am passionate about exploring the energy field, and engineering, from every approach imaginable. I am pursuing certificates in Technology and Society: Energy Track, and Sustainable Energy, and gained analytical, leadership, and teamwork skills through various projects and courses. I have also applied my knowledge and skills to real-world challenges, such as expanding the western seaweed market and exploiting seaweed's promising properties. As an Operations and Research Intern at The Seaweed Farmers, a start-up company, I conducted environmental impact reports, market research, data analysis, and machine learning, using tools such as QGIS and Python. I learned to work in a self-sufficient, clear, structured, and creative way, while collaborating with diverse stakeholders and experts. Besides my academic and professional pursuits, I am a National Team Rower and a varsity oarsman of Princeton's D1 Lightweight Rowing team. Rowing has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, as well as how to balance multiple commitments and excel in a competitive high pressure environment. I grew up sailing and rowing in a small village near Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where I developed a strong connection with the environment, water, and engineering. I am motivated to contribute to the global efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future.