small acts of rebellion

Aaron Brown: Designing for Impact

Heather Pridemore Season 2 Episode 5

In Episode 5 of Season 2, Aaron Brown, an associate professor of engineering at Colorado State University, shares his unconventional career journey spanning humanitarian engineering, renewable energy, and systems thinking. Starting as a self-described “marginal professional cyclist” racing in Italy, Aaron eventually transitioned to working on cutting-edge aerospace projects, including the Mars Rover landing mechanism.

Despite reaching what many consider the pinnacle of engineering success, Aaron found himself unfulfilled. He pivoted toward humanitarian engineering, focusing on empowering underserved communities through sustainable technology solutions. From developing solar heating for low-income neighborhoods to 3D printing ventilator components during COVID-19, Aaron’s work aligns technical expertise with social impact.

He also opens up about navigating academia, the complexities of workplace culture shifts, and the importance of finding environments that align with personal values. This conversation explores the intersection of innovation, ethics, and impact, offering insights on trusting your instincts, recognizing when it’s time to pivot, and applying creativity to solve real-world problems.

For those interested in engineering for social good, career transitions, or aligning work with values, this episode delivers thought-provoking takeaways and inspiration.

Guest Information:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-brown-phd-13258615/

References:

Engineers Without Borders - https://ewb-usa.org/

Veterans Without Borders - https://www.vwb.org/

Soda Can Solar Heating Project - https://www.nprillinois.org/2014-03-06/soda-can-solar-furnace-helps-cut-heating-bills

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Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

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