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 completed 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
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 in three years 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.
Operations Manager
Rob Hacku, PhD
Rob Hacku joined Pittsburgh Coastal energy as the Principal Chemical Engineer in 2026. He recently received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh for his work designing electrosynthetic reactors, where he met Co-founder Priscilla. Starting to SCUBA Diving at the age of 10, his first-hand experience seeing coral reef bleaching led him on a path to protect our planet through innovation. Rob brings his can-do attitude and outside the box thinking to help scale PING technology from the lab bench to the manufacturing line. In his spare time, Rob refurbishes old hand tools for use either in his workshop to build furniture, or on campouts for bushcraft.
Principle Chemical Engineer
Steve Conover
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Steve Conover serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Pittsburgh Coastal Energy, leading engagement with the major defense primes, DoD, and commercial businesses. With years of experience across the defense ecosystem, he brings a strong understanding of how to transition complex technologies into operational and commercial impact. A seasoned sales and business development leader, Steve has built high-performing teams and forged durable partnerships that drive growth in highly regulated, high-stakes environments, positioning Pittsburgh Coastal Energy to scale its ocean energy technologies in support of national security and energy resilience.
Joaquin Tristan
Joaquin Tristan is a senior electrical engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh, and the president of the Beta Delta chapter of IEEE-HKN. His research focus is on testbed development for magnetic components, as well as the design of power electronics systems. He’s actively involved with multiple research groups at Pitt, and has designed multiple automated testbeds.
R&D Electrical Engineer