Meet the team
Priscilla Prem
Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer
Priscilla Prem founded Pittsburgh Coastal Energy to transform the U.S. ocean energy industry through innovative energy conversion technologies. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh and invented the company’s core technology - the Polar Ionic Nanogenerator (PING). As an engineer and inventor, she is committed to pushing scientific boundaries and revolutionizing how we harness and utilize ocean energy. Known for forging her own path, Priscilla embraces challenges and confronts difficult obstacles head on, making her uniquely fit to lead the Pittsburgh Coastal Energy team in their ambitious mission. Her prior experience in the U.S. Navy drives her dedication to enhancing national security and prosperity. This focus has led Pittsburgh Coastal Energy to prioritize technological solutions that support the U.S. defense sector.
Bobby Karnavas
Co-founder, Chief Technology Officer
Bobby Karnavas joined Pittsburgh Coastal Energy to lead mechanical design and oversee energy converter testing efforts. He is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Before attending college, Bobby served as a submarine reactor operator in the U.S. Navy, where he built a strong foundation in engineering principles and energy systems. In his free time, Bobby volunteers at his local makerspace, repairing machines and crafting parts in the machine shop. Inspired by the immense power of water, he is committed to advancing Pittsburgh Coastal Energy’s mission of harnessing the ocean’s untapped energy potential.
theresa baughman
Operations Manager
Theresa joined Pittsburgh Coastal Energy as the Operations Manager to help guide and track goals, internal structure, and strategy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh where she completed four independent research projects to study the relationships between object and environment. Theresa brings a forward-thinking and optimistic approach to the team, wherein no challenge is too audacious to explore. Inspired by her work in the Arctic as an artist among scientists, Theresa is committed to advancing ocean technology that benefits human and ecological needs in tandem.
Patrick Bales-Parks
Lead Electrical Engineer
Patrick Bales-Parks holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Computer Engineering, with a focus on Embedded Systems. He is currently a Senior Software Engineer working in the aerospace industry. Patrick joined Pittsburgh Coastal Energy upon hearing of the innovation of the polar ionic nanogenerator (PING). With a passion for finding creative solutions to engineering problems, Patrick is dedicated to advancing the company's mission of harnessing ocean wave energy. He brings a strong technical background and an innovative, forward-thinking approach to solving engineering challenges. His experience includes software engineering, embedded systems, and electronic circuit design.
Carlan Gray
Business Development Manager
Carlan joined Pittsburgh Coastal Energy with a clear ambition to support the start-up’s growth beyond its technical capabilities. Leveraging his experience from various consulting engagements, he has gained in-depth knowledge of the operational challenges faced by start-ups and smaller businesses. His broad skill set equips him to help the team capitalize on a market full of potential that remains largely untapped.
Connor Leckie-Ewing
Electrical Systems Engineer
Connor Leckie-Ewing holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and joined Pittsburgh Coastal Energy to provide an electrical perspective on converting polar ionic nanogenerator (PING) outputs into usable power in external systems. He has pursued engineering and innovation challenges during his education and beyond. He was excited and motivated by the prospect of developing a new way to harness untapped energy in the form of ocean waves. Connor brings his engineering background to help develop PINGs into a real, useful, energy source for marine systems.