About Me: I will graduate next  year with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Political Science focused on Africa.

Past Projects: I have built and programmed robots, worked on renovations for LEED certifying the United Nations headquarters using geothermal and solar energy applications. I also currently participate in studing wear and tear in wind turbines. 

What I did Last Summer: My summer in Mali was mostly spent doing two things. I collected data for our biofuel engine tests, and traveled between villages conducting surveys to discover what factors affect whether or not a farmer decides to plant Jatropha as a cash crop for potential sale to biofuel companies.

Why this matters: Mali is one of Africa’s poorest nations, and while the country has made great strides in its development over the past decade, it is a landlocked country with limited infrastructure development and access to resources. Biofuels could create a new market and strengthen the economy while reducing the country’s dependence on fuel imports. Additionally,  the oil can be used in diesel engines eliminating the cost of diesel and potentially generate the power needed to pump water and generate electricity in rural areas. Determining and eliminating the obstacles preventing farmers from planting this crop is critical.