Charlotte Michaluk, a high school student in Pennington, New Jersey, is passionate about protecting coastal wetlands from the spiraling effects of climate change through innovative cargo ship design. She designed a ship hull coating inspired by shark skin that improves ship efficiency by reducing drag and biofouling, while simultaneously minimizing invasive species transport. Charlotte also developed a concept for a hybrid wind and fossil fuel powered cargo ship that cleans exhaust and improves seakeeping, while generating auxiliary propulsive power from wind energy. Her research has been presented at numerous conferences and recognized internationally. In addition, Charlotte has gathered and analyzed field data, worked with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and advocated at public hearings to preserve ecologically critical wetlands, habitats of exceptional significance, and wildlife corridors in Central New Jersey. She has been recognized multiple times by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and was winner of the 2020 Department of Defense STEM Talent Award for her work on cargo ship design. Her sister, Sonja Michaluk, was an NWA recipient in 2021.
