Charlie Harriman didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for his academic path. Growing up in Portland surrounded by a family full of Oregon State University alumni — including a cousin and younger brother who also chose chemical engineering — Harriman’s decision to attend Oregon State felt like a natural continuation of a family tradition. But it wasn’t just legacy that drew him in.
“My dad’s an engineer and he absolutely loves his job,” Harriman said. “Seeing someone enjoy their work that much made engineering really appealing. I wanted to build things, solve problems — that’s what excited me most.”
Harriman entered Oregon State undecided, briefly explored bioengineering, and ultimately found his niche in chemical engineering. “I realized I liked the chemistry side more than the biology,” he said. “Chemical engineering felt like the right fit.”
From summer project to published research
Now entering his senior year, Harriman, who is also an Honors College student, has made the most of his time at Oregon State — especially through research opportunities that have shaped his academic and professional trajectory. One of the most transformative experiences came through the Clean Water Initiative, a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in the College of Engineering. That’s where Harriman connected with Cory Simon, associate professor of chemical engineering, whose mentorship would prove pivotal.
“I got lucky,” Harriman said. “I listed Cory’s project as my top REU choice because it sounded interesting, and I ended up working with him all summer.”
That summer project turned into something much bigger. Simon handed Harriman a loosely defined idea — a concept involving metal-organic frameworks (MOF), which are porous materials capable of absorbing water from the air. Harriman’s challenge was to determine whether a mixture of different MOFs could be optimized to passively harvest water in arid environments.
“It was kind of sink or swim,” Harriman said. “Cory didn't know if the tool would necessarily work. He said, ‘See if this is anything.’ So, I just dove in.”
Harriman developed a Python program that used thermodynamic modeling and linear optimization to identify the lightest blend of MOFs capable of producing enough water to survive — all without using energy. The concept was simple but powerful: open a box of MOFs at night when it’s cool and humid, let them absorb water, then close the box during the day when heat causes the MOFs to release the water, which condenses and collects.
“It was awesome to focus entirely on one problem for three months,” Harriman said. “And when I got it to work, it was the best feeling ever.”
The project culminated in a presentation at the 2024 Clean Water Initiative symposium and evolved into a paper that Simon has described as one of the most exciting of his career.
“Seeing my name on that paper was something I didn’t expect to happen for years,” Harriman said. “It made the whole experience feel real.”
Looking ahead to graduate school
Harriman is now turning that research into his Honors College thesis and considering graduate school, with top choices including Oregon State, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Washington, and the University of California, San Diego. While he’s still exploring specific areas of chemical engineering, he’s drawn to thermodynamic modeling and computer-based chemistry — fields that blend his love of coding and statistics with real-world impact.
“I definitely like the modeling side more than pure chemistry,” he said. “And MOFs are fascinating because the field is evolving so quickly.”
Harriman credits Simon not just for the research opportunity but for fostering a collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment. “Cory and his research group are incredibly smart,” Harriman said. “Every time I step into the lab, I feel like I have to be on my A-game. But Cory’s also great at explaining things without making them feel intimidating.”
As Harriman looks ahead, he’s excited about the role computational tools — and eventually machine learning — will play in chemical engineering. “Our project was low-powered, so we didn’t use AI,” he said. “But in areas like carbon capture, where there are thousands of MOFs and fewer constraints, machine learning could be really powerful.”
For now, Harriman is focused on finishing strong at Oregon State, where he’s found both community and opportunity. “My experience at Oregon State has been exactly what I hoped college would be,” he said. “I love Corvallis. I’ve had a great time, and I’ve learned so much.”
