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Spotlight Lavinia Pedrollo

Life at Stanford is truly beautiful

Lavinia Pedrollo is a second-year PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University.

Lavinia’s PhD research focuses on improving the systems that handle heating, electricity, and water in buildings (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems). Her goal is to make these systems more efficient and environmentally friendly by developing ways to measure their performance early in the design process. Recently, Lavinia joined a multi-million-dollar hospital renovation project, working with various stakeholders to gather insights for her research.

By optimizing MEP systems, the core of any building, she plans to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient construction industry. Beyond her research, Lavinia serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) liaison for her department, advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities for all students.

“Life at Stanford is truly beautiful,” Lavinia shares. “Coming from a small village in Italy with just 1,500 inhabitants, I often marvel at the diversity and opportunities here. Sometimes, we don’t fully appreciate how special this place is. We are surrounded by amazing people, and this experience is something to cherish.”

To students feeling overwhelmed, she offers encouragement: "It’s okay to struggle, but remember how lucky we are to be part of this extraordinary community. Take a moment to appreciate the campus and the opportunities around you—you belong here, and you’re capable of achieving great things!"

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