Bentley Siner – Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity

May 19, 2021February 17, 2022

Alejandra Hinojosa

Alejandra Hinojosa is currently pursuing a MA in Sustainability and Development with a specialization in Global Sustainable Design and she is intending to graduate in 2022.

Alejandra is involved as a board member of non-profit Promise of Peace. In her spare time, she enjoys film, being outdoors, painting, gardening, and thrifting

In her role as Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Zarazaga, Alejandra will be working on projects with Kijiji Sustainable Solutions. In the future, she plans to pursue a career spearheading collaborative projects at the intersection of sustainable design and environmental justice.

When asked what motivated her to work at the Hunt Institute, she replied, “I was drawn to the innovative projects I’m working on with Kijiji that promote equity, collaboration, and sustainability. The passionate, socially driven work is always the most exciting to be apart of.”

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

April 23, 2021February 17, 2022

Trees: A Prescription for Dallas

Over the past 100 years, more than a third of the planet’s old-growth forest disappeared. Each year we are losing 4.7 million hectares of forests. This is a problem not only from an environmental but also social and economic perspective.

Trees provide important ecosystem services with respect to air quality, climate amelioration, water conservation, soil preservation, and supporting wildlife. Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain, and wind. Trees provide food and shelter to an endless number of species. They offer social and spiritual value, increasing our quality of life and offering numerous health benefits. They provide significant economic value both as individual trees, such as by providing shade and reducing energy cost, and collectively as green spaces and landscape proven to increase property and neighborhood appeal and values. It has been estimated that trees provide an average of $500 million value in benefits each year to large cities like Dallas. According to the World Economic Forum, a systemic transformation to a nature-friendly economy could create 395 million jobs and deliver USD 10.1 trillion of economic value globally by 2030.

These topics were central at April 15th’s ImpactNights®. Few people know that Dallas is second only to Phoenix, Arizona for having the strongest heat island effect. This problem, just like environmental challenges in general, disproportionately impact under-resourced communities. Environmental equity is an especially pressing issue as under-resourced, often predominantly minority, communities are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of climate change and environmental degradation. The Texas Trees Foundation, along with the City of Dallas, has been at the forefront of implementing innovative approaches to tackle this challenge. Janette Monear, President & CEO of the Texas Tree Foundation, and Susan Alvarez, Assistant Director, Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability for the City of Dallas, shared their experiences on the work they have been doing and insights about priorities going forward. This important conversation was moderated by Dr. Candice Bledsoe.

A key take-away of the event was the need for research and data to drive smart policy to ensure intentional actions and support are in place to protect, maintain and plant trees, especially in locations where they can provide maximum environmental, social and economic value, and citizen advocacy to lawmakers to emphasize the importance of these issues.

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ImpactNights™ is the physical manifestation of the Inclusive Economy Consortium where we connect, share, and act. This event is about like-minded people coming together to share experiences and knowledge from the local, national, and international community within the Consortium to share their best practices and expertise. Monthly discussions are around pressing social issues facing our society. All of this is designed to get collective action for a more inclusive economy. Follow us on Eventbrite to be the first to know when event details are published so you can register to join the conversation.

This event is generously sponsored by Target Corporation and hosted by the Inclusive Economy Consortium, an initiative of Hunter & Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity located in Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University.

Join us next time to be a part of the conversation to CONNECT – SHARE – ACT!

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

April 13, 2021

Winner of the Water Environment Association of Texas, Student Design Competition 2021

On Tuesday, March 30th, 2021, the Lyle Senior Design Team took First Place in the virtual Student Design Competition, sponsored by the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT). The regional student design competition is typically held during the annual Texas Water Conference. The winning presentation entitled, “Intercontinental Airport WWTP Improvements and Expansion Project”, consisted of increasing the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, at the Houston airport, from 8 MGD to 11 MGD to accommodate the increased flow. The design report consists of treatment alternatives for Biological Nutrient Removal processes, solid handling processes, and odor-control technologies to ensure long-term sustainability for the plant.

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition, and Conference is the largest conference of its kind in North America and offers water quality professionals from around the world the best water quality education and training available today. More than 20,000 people register for the event each year. Attendees travel from all corners of the globe to meet with thought leaders and attend technical sessions more than 3,000 registrants from more than 80 countries attended the event in the 2019 year.

Harshada Pednekar, a Graduate Research Analyst at the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, served as Project Manager for the WEAT team. In addition to being responsible for communication as a primary contact, she also spearheaded the design options for the IAH wastewater treatment plant expansion. She had the opportunity to design the BNR process and technical report writing. Ms. Pednekar is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering. Currently, Ms. Pednekar is a teaching assistant for the Meteorology course. Also, previously she worked as TA for Geographical Information System and Lab & Field Method at Lyle school of engineering. Her combination of strong work ethic, academics, and fieldwork made her an asset in the improvement and expansion of the Intercontinental Airport WWTP.

In October 2021, the SMU team will go on to compete at the national level, representing the State of Texas, during the 94th Annual Water Environmental Federation Technical Exhibit and Conference (WEFTEC) Student Competition, in Chicago, Illinois.

March 10, 2021February 28, 2022

The Forgotten Fuel: Energy Efficiency in our Homes & Buildings

A Collective Action Program for ImpactNights®

The Texas winter storm brought more than subfreezing temps to the state. The power outage left dozens of Texans dead, millions in the dark, and nearly 15 million with water issues. Damages from this storm may exceed the $125 billion in damages from Hurricane Harvey, potentially making it the costliest disaster in state history. Residential and commercial buildings account for 40% of US energy demand and for 74% of all electricity use. Energy efficiency retrofits can reduce consumption by as much as a one third to one-half and build resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs. Supplementing energy efficiency with renewable energy can further enhance the impact.

So why isn’t more happening in this area and what can we do about it was the focus of this month’s sold-out ImpactNights® event with panelists Pharr Andrews (Senior Climate Coordinator as City of Dallas), Eva Csaky – Executive Director, Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity, Alan Hoffmann (Award-Winning Green Builder and President of Hoffmann Homes), Michael Martin (President of MM Solar Advisory), facilitated by Anna Clark, Co-Founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium.

Clark opened the event with an introduction highlighting the timeliness of this topic; “something that I know matters very personally to all of us. Texas was in international news recently for a historic winter storm that left several dozen people dead and millions in the dark,” said Clark. “We are all here in an interest of preparing for the next [storm] or just being a little more comfortable in our homes.” Csaky set the stage for the discussion highlighting what is possible through international examples of successful energy efficiency efforts from the past 20 years. Panelists shared various ways in which we can advocate, collaborate, and raise awareness to find solutions to the critical issue of energy efficiency.

Andrews emphasized that “energy poverty is not only an economic and environmental issue, it is also a public health concern.” Hoffmann and Martin discussed not only the challenges we face with respect to the adoption of energy efficient solutions but also shared their recommendations for “low-hanging fruit” improvements to increase energy efficiency in our homes.

Martin summarized it perfectly when he reflected on the high level of interest in the event and the lively attendee participation in the discussion, concluding that “we need to keep discussions moving ahead to create positive change, and I will do my best to be a contributor to that”, a sentiment that many others who convened for the March ImpactNights® shared.

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Join us next time to be a part of the conversation to CONNECT – SHARE – ACT!

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

March 1, 2021February 28, 2022

Natalie Owings

Natalie Owings is currently pursuing a BBA in Marketing with minors in French and Graphic Design. She is intending to graduate in May of 2023.

Natalie is involved on campus as Intern for SMU Athletics Hospitality, and as a Design Editor for the SMU Lookbook. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, working out, taking photos, and making personal projects within the Adobe programs.

In her role as an Undergraduate Social Media Marketer at the Hunt Institute, Natalie will be managing the digital marketing day-to-day campaigns and compiling analytical data to inform decisions for the communication’s team strategy. She also helps to implement the communication for the marketing of events for the Institute, the Inclusive Economy Consortium, and project-related events. In the future, she plans to pursue a career with a marketing team for internationally connected brands or sports industries.

When asked what drew her to work at the Hunt Institute, she replied “I was drawn to the Hunt Institute because it provided me an opportunity to expand collaboration with my peers while creating impactful projects for national and international communities. To me, it satisfied my desires to involve myself into a purposeful organization at SMU and intertwine my fascination with foreign matters.”

March 1, 2021February 28, 2022

Sofia Murillo

Sofia Murillo is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science, and she is intending to graduate in May of 2024. Sofia is a member of both the SMU Distinguished Scholars and the SMU Discovery Scholars programs.

Sofia is involved on campus as a Chief Marketing Officer at SHPE SMU and as a Hilltop Scholar. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the violin, drawing both traditionally and digitally, and playing tennis.

In her role as Undergraduate Web Developer at the Hunt Institute, Sofia will be curating coding content, working with web development, and providing technical support to any initiatives throughout the Institute. In the future, she plans to pursue a Computer Science Ph D and create innovative tech solutions that change the world for the better.

When asked what motivated her to work at the Hunt Institute, she replied, “”It is beyond gratifying to work with World Changers at the Hunt Institute in order to solve and impact pressing world problems.”

February 11, 2020March 2, 2022

Srikanth Mangalam

Srikanth Mangalam is an internationally recognized expert in risk and outcome-focused decision making in areas of social impact and sustainable development with over 25 years of experience in North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. He is considered as a visionary and a thought leader and has pioneered innovative solutions to addressing complex socio-economic and sustainability challenges including public safety, food security, gender equity, climate, health, youth employment and small-scale trade.

Srikanth established Prism Institute as a not-for-profit collaboration platform that helps address interconnected risks to global sustainable development through research, policy advocacy and technological innovation. Using a unique model that combines risk analysis, technology and dialogue, Prism Institute’s core work is focused on developing integrated risk management solutions across verticals including trade and competitiveness, employment and entrepreneurship, food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer product value chains, public health and safety, environment and climate change, gender equity and human development.

In this endeavor, Srikanth work with all levels of government, academic institutions, private sector, and multi-lateral agencies including the World Bank, in developed and developing economies in North America, Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe.

When asked what motives his work, he replied, “As much as I get excited about applying science, rational and logical thinking to solving complex social and development problems, I have learnt that building partnerships, relationships and trust with the people I interact with is far more important and motivating than the ideas that I may share and influence. This has instilled a greater sense of humility, empathy and situational awareness in my work while motivating me to be a better person every day. What I am able to learn and the amount of joy I get by listening to and interacting with people around the world and especially in places like Africa is both addictive and infectious”.

Srikanth is passionate about studying and bringing to light the need to look at interconnected risks that affect any social outcome of interest through the use of science and evidence-based approaches. He is excited about a project that he is currently leading which involves the development of a model that identifies and describes the relationships between various interconnected risk factors that affect youth unemployment globally. The model, he hopes, will lay the foundation for a more holistic, integrated, and comprehensive approach to designing interventions for achieving development goals such as SDGs.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

January 7, 2020April 18, 2022

Meghna Tare

Meghna Tare joins the Hunt Institute Affiliate program as a Fellow, bringing her expertise in sustainability, public policy, and education.

As UT Arlington’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, Meghna works collaboratively to foster partnerships among academic, research, and operational departments at UT Arlington, and to address opportunities to promote sustainability in several areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, transportation, education, outreach, community engagement, and interdisciplinary and sustainability-focused curriculum

She has spearheaded launching a Regional Center of Expertise for Education in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in North Texas, a program of the United Nations University, and the North Texas Food Policy Alliance.

She serves and represents UTA on several Advisory Boards including the National Academy of Science Board on Higher Education and Workforce Development—Policy and Global Affairs, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), and on the Board of Directors for International Council for Local Environmental Initiative (ICLEI USA).

She was awarded Women of the Decade in Corporate Social Responsibility by the Women Economic Forum, and 2020 Women in Sustainability-Transformational Leader by Wells Fargo/Envision Charlotte.

She graduated with an MBA in Sustainable Management, MS in Environmental Science, and MS in Chemistry.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn,Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

January 7, 2020March 2, 2022

David Son, Ph.D.

David Son joins the Hunt Institute as a Fellow, bringing his organic chemistry expertise. Son has been a professor in the Department of Chemistry at SMU since 1996. Dr. Son received his B.S. in chemistry from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA). Dr. Son was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, D.C.) before coming to SMU. Dr. Son conducts research on the synthesis of inorganic and organometallic polymers for a variety of applications including drug delivery, additive manufacturing, and aerospace. At SMU, Dr. Son has been awarded the Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Award, the Thomas W. Tunks Distinguished University Citizen Award, and the ‘M’ Award. Dr. Son has also served as Faculty-in-Residence at Boaz Residential Commons since 2014. Dr. Son’s most recent project in the Global Development Lab is the Biodegradable Plastics Project, which shifted its focus to developing a 3D-printed biodegradable mask frame in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The frame is intended to be used in conjunction with surgical or cloth masks and provides the benefit of a more adequate seal to the face, while also posing a better environmental impact than most disposable PPE.

Dr. Son’s current project in the Global Development Lab is the Biodegradable Plastics Project, a collaborative effort with Hunt Fellow Dr. Paul Krueger in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Son is focusing on the preparation of biodegradable plastics that degrade at tunable rates, and that degrade into safe and environmentally-friendly products. A primary focus of this joint project is to address the problem of medical plastic waste.

July 29, 2019March 2, 2022

James Olivier, Ph.D

Dr. Olivier is a Hunt Institute Fellow, a researcher, engineer, and educator. As an adjunct professor at SMU’s Lyle Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Olivier brings over 30 years of experience in the areas of telecommunications and computer networking to his classes. As a Fellow at the Hunt Institute, Dr. Olivier leads research efforts into the application of transformational technologies to the Hunt Institute’s mission of developing sustainable and affordable technology solutions to local and global challenges.

Dr. Olivier is the program lead for the Hunt Institute’s Maps4good/ MapInDallas effort. This project seeks to connect individuals in need with free service providers in Dallas to increase the number of eligible individuals taking advantage of local services. The maps created by MapInDallas will empower individuals to use the services available to them by providing them with tools and resources to seek out the services they require.

Dr. Olivier is also the principal researcher for the Hunt Institute’s investigation into the use of AI to provide legal services to the underrepresented. This investigation is studying the applicability of AI systems known as expert systems, integrated with Web-based technologies, to automate simple legal tasks and improve access to legal resources for the underserved in Dallas.

When asked about his motivation for working at the Hunt Institute Dr. Olivier commented, “When I was first introduced to the Hunt Institute, I was impressed from the start, the people, their commitment and even its name, ‘The Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity’. The idea of an institute dedicated to engineering and humanity spoke to me. I was honored when they asked if I would join them. I try to bring my experience and understanding of various advanced technologies to help out in any way I can.”

As chairman of the IEEE Dallas Blockchain group, Dr. Olivier has given numerous presentations on transformational technologies, speaking at Dallas Startup Week, Villanova’s Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute, and SMU’s InpactNights. He also volunteers to serve on the board for Dallas College’s Bill J. Priest Institute’s Innovation Lab.

Over the past 20 years Dr. Olivier in addition to acting as a consultant on the design of both advanced networking equipment and the design of advanced networks, Dr. Olivier has also been an intellectual property consultant in the area of networking and telecommunications technologies. Dr. Olivier’s education and background have allowed him to be recognized as an expert in such areas as Packet Switching, Cellular Networks, and Network Security before United States District Courts and the International Trade Commission.

Dr. Olivier currently lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife Margaret. A native of Cincinnati Ohio, Dr. Olivier received his Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University during which he was named a Kodak Fellow, one of twelve fellowships given out nationally by the Kodak Corporation in the areas of physics and engineering.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.