Fiona Grant
PhD student
Drip Irrigation Team
Research Interests
Fiona is a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering working on the drip irrigation team. Her research focuses on designing solar-powered drip irrigation systems that meet the needs of farmers in resource-constrained and water-stressed environments. Before joining the GEAR Center, Fiona earned her SB and Master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at MIT. She has previously conducted research on small-scale desalination for villages in India, underwater vehicle propulsion, and the effects of dust deposition on solar plant production in the Atacama Desert. Fiona’s research interests include system optimization, controls, and human-centered design, and she is excited about bringing a multi-disciplinary engineering approach to address global climate challenges.
Education
S.M. Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019
S.B. Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017
Honors and Awards
MIT MathWorks Mechanical Engineering Fellowship, awarded 2020-2021
Sloan Scholar, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Minority Ph.D. (MPHD) Program, awarded in 2017-18
MIT School of Engineering Lemelson Presidential Fellowship, 2017
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, member since 2017
Education Outreach Chair for MIT Society of Women Engineers, 2014-2016
Hobbies
Baking, reading, hiking, and traveling (mostly to try new food)