Rice and African Engineering Design Interns Collaborate to Address Global Health Challenges
The Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies (Rice360) and Rice University’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) concluded their joint 2024 summer internship program with a vibrant showcase event held July 18 at Rice’s Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science.
The showcase celebrated the accomplishment of students from Rice and partner institutions across Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania, who presented the innovative engineering design projects they developed over the course of the seven-week internship program.
“We think quality internships are really important for students,” said Kevin Holmes, a lecturer in engineering at the OEDK. “It’s a very diverse program with people of different backgrounds, engineering levels and educations working together. It’s an opportunity to practice engineering design in a real work environment. The program provides an experience equivalent to interning for a company or organization you would want to work for. We all know from being out in the real world that you’re going to work with a great variety of people, so we love having people from all over be part of the program.”
The Summer Experience in Engineering Design (SEED) program provides undergraduate students with hands-on exposure to global health design challenges. By working collaboratively in diverse teams, interns apply problem-solving, critical thinking, design approaches and physical prototyping to develop innovative solutions for real-world problems.
This year, the showcase featured four teams working on a diverse set of projects with global health impact.
Team AIR prototyped a device that helps patients with breathing problems by delivering enriched, heated and humidified air. Aiming to improve existing technology, the team focused on enhancements that would make the device easier to use, more reliable and faster in delivering oxygen. Its work promises to augment patient comfort and improve care for patients with respiratory issues.
Frequent and consistent water sampling is crucial for monitoring contaminants like heavy metals and organic chemicals. To address infrequent sampling of surface water, Team Flowmetrics created an inexpensive, autonomous device that makes the monitoring process more efficient and accurate, potentially reducing the risk of contamination and safeguarding public health.
Team GelTech tackled the challenge of improving transvaginal ultrasounds. Preterm births, which can be fatal, are often related to the length of the cervix, a measurement that current ultrasound methods struggle to visualize clearly. GelTech developed a new method to enhance the visibility of the cervix during ultrasounds, which has the potential to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health outcomes
Team Seed Squared developed an eco-friendly, compact hydroponics system for growing microgreens. The project focused on creating bio-adhesive seed grow mats that minimize seed loss during transportation and promote efficient germination. By making it easier and more efficient to grow fresh produce, the team’s innovation addresses food scarcity and provides a sustainable solution for both urban and rural areas.
Michelle Nodskov, assistant director of education programs for Rice360, emphasized the value of hands-on, client-based project development: “The SEED program provides students the opportunity to work with a client, develop a project and see it from start to finish within seven weeks. This experience is invaluable, allowing students to apply their engineering knowledge in a real-world setting.”
For many interns, the program offered a transformative experience. Penina Macha, a computer engineering major from Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology, said, “The biggest thing I have gained here is the level of experience from different people. Each person knows something you might not, giving you a broader perspective. This has made me realize the importance of putting more effort and using what I’ve gained here back home.”
Brandon Bravo, a junior at Rice majoring in mechanical engineering, noted the program provided valuable experience for facing future challenges: “The experience and knowledge I gained will help me in personal projects and future jobs. I’m a rising junior. Senior year in mechanical engineering, we have to do capstone projects, and that’s going to be very intensive. This is helping me prepare for that and prepare for after that.”
The SEED program not only bridges academic learning and real-world application but also fosters a global perspective. By collaborating with international peers, students gain insights into different cultures and engineering practices, enhancing their ability to tackle global challenges.
As the showcase event concluded, the sense of achievement and camaraderie among the interns was palpable. The projects presented not only demonstrated technical prowess but also highlighted the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that SEED aims to cultivate. With support from generous individual donors and sponsorships from Chevron International Exploration and Production, the program continues to pave the way for future leaders in engineering and global health technologies.