Alumni Profiles Series: Nicholas Rogers

Dr. Nicholas Rogers is an environmental engineer at CDM Smith, where he works on drinking water treatment projects involving emerging contaminants (PFAS, microplastics) treatment evaluation, permitting, design, and cost estimation. Prior to joining CDM Smith, he was a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow at Tel Aviv University. He earned both his M.S. and Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Duke University, building on a bachelor's degree in chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Throughout his career, Rogers has pursued interdisciplinary work at the intersection of research and engineering practice, with interests ranging from nanomaterials and emerging contaminants to water treatment innovation.

WHAT ORIGINALLY DREW YOU TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING?

My undergraduate degree was in chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. I started out interested in chemical engineering, but as I progressed through my coursework and research experiences, I realized I was especially drawn to the practical nature of environmental engineering.

I enjoyed the idea that engineering could directly address environmental and community challenges. During my undergraduate years, I transitioned into an environmental engineering research lab, and that experience ultimately led me to pursue graduate studies at Duke. Looking back, I think it was the combination of technical problem-solving and real-world impact that attracted me to the field.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOUR TRANSITION FROM ACADEMIC RESEARCH INTO CONSULTING AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE?

I genuinely enjoy research, and I still try to stay involved in research and development activities at CDM Smith. But during my postdoctoral years, I watched many friends go through the grueling faculty job search process, and it forced me to ask whether that path was truly what I wanted. I didn’t want to start that process half-heartedly!

The academic job market can be challenging. I saw talented people sending out dozens of applications and navigating long periods of uncertainty. At the same time, I started exploring opportunities outside academia and had conversations with people at CDM Smith. The more I learned about the work, the more I could see myself enjoying it.

One misconception I encountered was the idea that engineering consulting can be repetitive—that you spend your career designing the same treatment system over and over again. That has not been my experience at all. I have found the work to be creative, intellectually engaging, and full of opportunities to solve new problems. Within consulting, I still have considerable flexibility to pursue projects that interest me, which has helped satisfy the part of me that enjoys continual learning and exploration.

YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE DESCRIBES YOU AS AN “ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DISGUISED AS A RESEARCHER (OR VICE VERSA).” DO YOU STILL SEE YOURSELF AS A RESEARCHER, AN ENGINEER, OR BOTH?

That is a difficult question because I genuinely identify with both!

In many ways, I tend to adopt whichever perspective is missing from the room. When I am surrounded by engineers, I often find myself thinking more like a researcher—asking broader questions, exploring possibilities, and looking for creative approaches. When I am surrounded by researchers, I often become the engineer in the room, asking practical questions about implementation, cost, feasibility, and real-world application.

I enjoy operating between those two perspectives. Research helps us understand why something works, while engineering helps us determine whether it can actually be implemented effectively. I find value in both ways of thinking, and I have never felt the need to choose only one.

HOW DOES YOUR RESEARCH BACKGROUND INFLUENCE YOUR CURRENT WORK?

A significant part of my work involves translating scientific concepts into practical solutions for utilities and communities. For example, some of my recent work has focused on microplastics. The science surrounding microplastic sampling and analysis can be extremely nuanced, but ultimately utilities need actionable information. They want to know how to collect samples correctly, how to interpret results, and what those results mean for decision-making.

Similarly, I have worked with communities evaluating treatment options for emerging contaminants such as PFAS. In these situations, the challenge is not simply understanding the science. The challenge is finding solutions that are technically effective, financially feasible, and appropriate for a community's specific needs.

One aspect of consulting that I enjoy is this translation process. It requires understanding the research deeply while also communicating it clearly to people who need practical answers.

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HOW DID YOUR TIME AT DUKE PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER TODAY?

While my time at Duke was very technically rigorous, Duke taught me much more than technical research skills. One of the biggest lessons was time management. In consulting, I manage multiple projects simultaneously and need to stay highly organized. Graduate school provided excellent preparation for that.

Duke also taught me how to be proactive and how to learn independently. In both research and consulting, you are frequently confronted with problems that do not have obvious solutions. Success often depends on your ability to identify the right resources, ask good questions, and continue learning.

Beyond research, I benefited greatly from opportunities offered through The Graduate School. Programs such as the Certificate in College Teaching and the Emerging Leaders Institute helped me develop communication, leadership, and professional skills that continue to be valuable today.

WHAT MEMORIES FROM DUKE STILL STAND OUT TO YOU?

Some of my strongest memories involve both the challenges and the successes. I remember long nights in the laboratory and periods when I genuinely questioned whether I would finish my Ph.D. Those experiences taught me resilience and perseverance. Looking back, they remain important reminders of how much growth can occur during difficult seasons.

At the same time, I vividly remember successfully defending my dissertation and celebrating with family, mentors, friends, and colleagues who supported me throughout the process. Those relationships remain some of the most meaningful parts of my Duke experience.

I also miss the campus itself. Duke provided a beautiful environment in which to learn and grow, and The Graduate School worked intentionally to prepare students not only as researchers, but also as communicators, teachers, and leaders.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE CURRENT DUKE GRADUATE STUDENTS?

First, make sure you are pursuing your degree for the right reasons. A Ph.D. is extremely challenging, and there will be moments when your motivation is tested. If your work is connected to something you genuinely care about and want to grow in, that sense of purpose becomes incredibly important.

Second, build strong relationships with the people around you. Graduate school is much easier when you have good friends and mentors walking through the experience alongside you.

Explore broadly. Attend conferences, talk to people outside your immediate research area, and learn about different career paths. It is easy to remain within the academic bubble, but there are many exciting opportunities available in consulting, industry, startups, government, and beyond.

One final piece of advice I often share with students is simple: don't default into a postdoc. Make sure it is a decision. Take time to understand your options and choose the path that aligns with your interests and goals.

AUTHOR

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Yuchen Zhang

Ph.D. candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Yuchen Zhang is a Ph.D. student in the Delgado Vela Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. His research focuses on environmental biotechnology and bioinformatics, with an interest in understanding microbial communities and developing sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. Outside the lab, he enjoys Chinese Kungfu tea, playing basketball and billiards, and following professional basketball. He is always happy to learn a new fun fact, explore a different culture, or pick up a few words in a new language!