Name: Christian Bako 

Hometown:  Libertyville, IL 

Department:  Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) 

Research: Bioremediation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 

Plans after graduation: Working for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in the Remediation & Restoration Branch of the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) in Chicago, IL 

Things I’ll miss about Iowa City:  Sitting at ped-mall patios ‘people watching’ with my fiancé on warm summer nights. 

What you enjoyed most about your research / program:  The interdisciplinary nature of my program allowed me to learn so much from so many incredible people all across campus – it was a congenial and collaborative environment that always made me feel comfortable seeking help when I needed it. 

What I’m looking forward to after graduation:  Taking a break…and then applying what I’ve learned at Iowa to my work at EPA to help clean up contaminated sites in the Great Lakes region.  Also, getting married in 2023!