Evan and his partner Kira take a break on an Aspen bend while fishing on the Grand MesaEvan Coffey serves as the Senior Research Assistant in the Hannigan Research Laboratory at the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. Evan’s current research interests are studying how energy development/transitions affect air quality and environments worldwide. Evan builds and makes sense of our lab-made, low-cost sensor platforms to explore personal exposure, capture and inspect emissions from polluting sources and investigate how our day-to-day behaviors ultimately impact our air quality. We’re lucky to have you in our employee community, Evan!

Describe one of your favorite traditions.
Making time to sit around a (camp) fire and trade-off sharing music; it's a fun way to explore new music and learn more about others.

What is an ordinary moment in your life that brings you joy?
It's hard to beat watching sunsets with friends and family.

What do you most like to do to unwind?
Listen to a good audio book with Kira, my partner, and try to stay awake.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I've traveled to a rural village in northern Ghana called Navrongo 10 times for research; it holds a special place in me.

One thing you’re willing to spend way too much on...
I find myself wide-eyed every time I walk into REI; I'm a sucker for and admirer of (outdoor) gear.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Finding natural hot springs to soak in and getting a massage.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Find and value meaning in the process over accomplishment in the product.