Hunt Institute – Page 11 – Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity

March 24, 2020March 2, 2022

The Resilient Shelter Project: Phase I

The Resilient Shelter project team is excited to announce the completion of its market analysis report titled Seeking Low-Cost Seismic Protection for Urban Masonry in an Unstable Terrain. Phase I of the Resilient Shelter Project consisted of a market analysis of low-cost methods for seismic protection, specifically focusing on multi-story buildings in urban areas of developing countries. A prior blog post titled “Filling the Gap for Seismic Protection” explained more about the purpose behind the project.

With support from Marcial Blondet, Ph.D., Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, and Ph.D. student Kostas Kalfas, Nicos Makris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the Lyle School of Engineering, is working diligently to formulate a solution that is safe, accessible, and suitable for residents of multi-story urban housing. Dr. Makris, Affiliate supervising the work in the report said, “Part of our role as structural engineers is the design and construction of structures that are affordable to the local society and meet acceptable performance levels at present and the years to come without compromising the ability of future generations to use them, maintain them and benefit from them.” Undergraduate Research Analyst Sam Borton and Undergraduate Project Manager JuliaGrace Walker worked with Kalfas, Dr. Makris, and Dr. Blondet to examine the low-cost seismic protection market and produce a report with their findings.

Discussing his motivation for working on the project, Kalfas said, “It is my steadfast belief that we, as the more benefitted, should always give back to society and especially to those who are not as fortunate” and that the Resilient Shelter Project gave him “the opportunity to contribute directly to the people who need our help.”

In the report, Borton and Walker summarize the existing low-cost propositions and discuss to what extent these methods are feasible for the aforementioned target population in Peru. Finding that even these “low-cost” solutions are out of reach for most of the middle-class residents of Lima, the report makes an alternate proposition. Rocking isolation offers great potential as an innovative and economical seismic protection alternative, but it has yet to be implemented as low-cost housing reinforcement. This emerging system of seismic protection could fill a gap in the market, as it may provide a sufficiently low-cost accessible manner of protecting multi-story buildings.

“After learning about the very real danger that earthquakes posed to certain Peruvian communities, as well as seismically-vulnerable communities around the globe, I was especially motivated to support Dr. Makris in this initiative,” said Borton.

As the report was finalized, the project encountered a delay brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting restrictions on international travel. It is the hope of the various collaborators on the Resilient Shelter project that progress on future phases will commence in the Spring of 2021.

Walker said of her experience with the project, “It has been exciting to work with a team that values and promotes cross-cultural and interdisciplinary relationships. I cannot wait to see what else the Resilient Shelter project can achieve.”

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.

February 17, 2020March 2, 2022

Stephanie Rodriguez

Stephanie Rodriguez is a senior at Southern Methodist University working toward an BBA in Marketing with a minor in Advertising. She is also involved with the Women in Business and Mustang Mavericks organizations.

Stephanie has been recognized with the Honor Transfer Scholarship. After completing her undergraduate studies, Stephanie would like to stay in Dallas and work in a sports marketing field or find another related career that would allow her to travel all over the world. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys exploring Dallas, dancing, and working out.

At the Hunt Institute, Stephanie serves as a Marketing Assistant 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.

Stephanie says, “Being able to help spread awareness of these amazing projects my coworkers are working on through what I do inspires me to work harder for them.”

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.

February 10, 2020March 2, 2022

JuliaGrace Walker

JuliaGrace Walker is a senior at Southern Methodist University working toward a B.A. in International Studies and a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Spanish. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Reformed University Fellowship, and she also serves as the President of SMU’s Program Council. She has previously served as a Resident Assistant in Boaz Commons and as the President of Boaz Commons Council.

Additionally, JuliaGrace has been recognized with the Rubottom Foreign Service Scholarship. After completing her undergraduate studies at SMU, JuliaGrace hopes to earn a master’s degree in International Development and later pursue a career in the foreign service.

At the Hunt Institute, JuliaGrace is the Undergradute Program Manager. She has also previously served as a Undergraduate Project Manager where she led teams working on projects within the Global Development Lab and used project management best practices to balance the three drivers of a project: time, budget, and scope. Specifically, JuliaGrace was the Undergraduate Project Manager on the Resilient Shelter and Better Building projects in the Institute.

JuliaGrace says she is “motivated by the work we are doing at the Hunt Institute because I know our projects are having broader impacts across the globe.”

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.

January 27, 2020March 2, 2022

Mohammed Njie, Social Enterprise 2021 Cohort Entrepreneur

Mohammed Nije, Social Entrepreneur, Inventor, Change Agent, The Gambia, Clean Energy, Digital Access

As the first student Social Entrepreneur in the Hunt Institute’s Social Enterprise Program, Mohammed Njie joined the Cohort in 2021 and is setting a precedent for dedicated, young entrepreneurship.

Mohammed was born and raised in The Gambia, a country in Western Africa, and has witnessed energy poverty firsthand. He attended high school at one of the few schools with electricity, and seeing students at other institutions without access to the same vital resources inspired him to make a difference in this area.

He is currently conducting research on efficient renewable energy systems that can be used to alleviate energy poverty in developing countries. Mohammed founded Janta Clean Energy with the intention of providing The Gambia with reliable, clean energy. A vision of his is to see all of Africa having access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy during his lifetime.

“I think it is important to realize that here at the Institute we are involved in a lot of projects where we can impact the lives of a lot of different people,” Mohammed said. “For their sake, it is very important that we push through…they are waiting for us.”

Mohammed initiated a pilot project called Innovation inTintinto on his last trip to The Gambia that installed solar panels in rural schools, tested capacity, and determined which elements are needed to enhance students’ academic experience. His second project Illuminating Tintinto expanded on these elements and installed additional panels for Tintinto Primary and Secondary School. Now, centered around these innovative solutions, his current project titled STEM Up Phase II is working to design and implement Wi-Fi-generating computer carts in local schools.

All the while, Mohammed is currently a senior at Southern Methodist University working toward a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and has been recognized as a Grand Challenges Scholar, winner of SMU’s Big Ideas, and is also part of the SMU Incubator.

Discussing his motivation for impact work as a social entrepreneur he said,“My passion for the work I do started when I was young. When you experience the problems you are trying to solve, it becomes personal. So as a young boy, I made it my life’s mission to help solve some of the problems I experienced growing up. So many people are in poverty because they do not have an opportunity. I want to change that.”

The December, Mohammed will be showcasing his work in the Institute’s Impact Forum along with other 2020 & 2021 Social Enterprise Cohorts.

More posts about Mohammed Njie:

December 15, 2019: “2019 Social Enterprise Cohort”

February 28, 2020: “Mohammed Njie – Travel Feature”

July 1, 2020: “Hunt Institute’s First Student Social Entrepreneur”

November 9, 2020: “Innovation in Tintinto, The Gambia”

December 15, 2020: “2020 Social Enterprise Cohort”

April 13, 2021: “Illuminating Tintinto | Hunt Institute’s Project for SMU Giving Day 2021”

April 14, 2021: “2021 SMU Giving Day: The Power of One Person’s Vision”

January 27, 2020March 2, 2022

Sam Borton

Sam Borton is a senior at Southern Methodist University working toward a B.S. in Economics and Statistical Science, as well as a B.A. in Markets & Culture. He is a member of Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity, Reformed University Fellowship, and previously served as Student Facilitator for the Emerging Leaders program and Vice President of Boaz Residential Commons Council.

Sam has been recognized as a Provost Scholar. After completing his undergraduate studies at SMU, he hopes to find a career where he can utilize economic models and data analysis to alleviate poverty. In his free time, Sam enjoys playing sand volleyball, running, and watching sports.

At the Hunt Institute, Sam is an Undergraduate Research Analyst lending his skills in research to several interdisciplinary projects. He is the Co-Lead of the Research Analyst team, where he supports the training and onboarding of new researchers in the Institute. He is also the Data Aggregation Manager on the ImpactMap project team where he performs index research and management; he is also responsible for collecting, organizing, and evaluating data.

Sam’s research focuses on Filling the Gap for Seismic Protection as he researches seismic protection options for informal construction in Lima, Peru. His final report is a market analysis of the low-cost seismic protection market, along with a recommendation for the direction of further research.

When asked what drew Sam to work at the Institute he said, “For me, it is all the potential benefits of the projects of the Institute and the opportunity to work with experts in their fields.”

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 22, 2020March 2, 2022

Sydney Lobato

Sydney Lobato is a junior at Southern Methodist University working toward a B.S. in Engineering Management Information Systems (EMIS) with a minor in Environmental Earth Sciences. She is also a member of the Hegi Career Leaders Professional Development Program, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, SMU Women’s Club Volleyball, and Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Sydney has been recognized as a Distinguished Scholar and member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and has been awarded the Discovery Scholarship, SMU Honor-Roll High Distinction, American Athletic Conference Athlete Honor Roll, and Academic Distinction for Pi Beta Phi. After completing her undergraduate studies at SMU, she hopes to complete the MBA program connected with the EMIS major at SMU. She wants to incorporate the study of space exploration and sustainability practices in future studies or jobs.

At the Hunt Institute, Sydney is an Undergraduate Project Manager where she leads teams working on projects within the Global Development Lab using project management best practices to balance the three drivers of a project: time, budget, and scope.

January 8, 2020March 2, 2022

Yulise R. Waters, Esq.

Yulise Reaves Waters, Esq. joins the Hunt Institute as a Fellow bringing her industry expertise. Waters is the Director of Dallas Programs for the Lone Star Justice Alliance where she oversees the programmatic, data, and community engagement aspects of the Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP – pronounced “skip”). Waters co-founded SCCIP as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dallas and was responsible for securing one of ten 2016 Community Courts Grant Program grants awarded by the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Center for Court Innovation, establishing SCCIP as the first-ever felony community court in Dallas County history and the first-ever alternative to incarceration for young adults in the State of Texas. SCCIP was also awarded the 2018 National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Equity and Inclusion Award for “excellence and leadership in demonstrating and promoting cultural proficiency in treatment court services.” Prior to her role with the City of Dallas, Waters was partner in Cox Waters, P.L.L.C., a boutique Dallas law firm specializing in family law, collaborative practice and mediation.

Waters holds a B.A. in English and in Spanish (both magna cum laude) and her B.B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Business Policy (magna cum laude) from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. As a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, SMU’s highest academic scholarship, Waters completed studies at La Fundacíon de José Ortega y Gasset in Madrid, Spain, where she became proficient in speaking Spanish. As a graduating senior, Waters was awarded the SMU Department of English’s Shakespeare Prize for the best paper in all English sections, was named the Senior Woman of the Year by the Cox School of Business, and Senior Woman of the Year of SMU (Campus-wide). Waters earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the Dedman School of Law at SMU. At Dedman, she served as Vice President of the SMU Black Law Students Association. A member of the Inaugural Emerging Leader Board at Dedman School of Law, which recognizes graduates over the last twenty years who have “a strong record of leadership in the legal profession and a proven commitment to public service,” she holds memberships in the Juvenile Law, Criminal Justice, and Collaborative Law Sections, and the Dallas Bar Association. Additionally, Waters holds certifications in Texas Risk Assessment System, in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies, and she has completed additional training at the Caruth Police Leadership Institute.

An advocate for children, young adults, and families, Waters serves as an inaugural board member of POETIC Trauma Therapy Center and Creative Arts Studio, which builds a pipeline out of the juvenile justice system and into intensive aftercare for girls who have been exploited and trafficked. She serves on the advisory board of the ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Group, which works to build stronger families, schools, and communities by empowering adults to empower kids. And she serves on the board of Family Gateway which empowers children and families affected by homelessness. Waters has also been selected as a member of Leadership Dallas’ Class of 2020 and is an appointee to the Dallas ISD Racial Equity Office Trustee Appointed Advisory Council.

Waters has been named “One-to-Watch” by SMU Magazine, listed as a “Featured Graduate” of SMU Dedman Law by The Quad Magazine, and she is a recipient of the History Maker Award of the Black Alumni of SMU, their highest honor. She has been named to the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” of young professionals, to Who’s Who in Black Dallas, and to the City of Dallas’ Wall of Honor for meritorious service to the citizens of Dallas. Waters has also been named a 2019 Millennial-to-Watch and Honorable Mention Award co-recipients of the 2019 Juanita Craft Humanitarian Award in the Community Builder/Catalyst Category. A 2017 and 2019 Dallas Public Voices Fellow, Waters’ commentary on race, justice, and policing has been featured on nationally-syndicated radio programs, and her published columns in major U.S. city newspapers. A frequent speaker, Waters addresses civic, collegiate, corporate, church and legal bodies on topics of interest ranging from effective communication models and maximizing potential to alternatives to incarceration and community engagement. A published author, Waters’ most recent offerings, “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” on the adultification of black girls is included in When Kids Ask Hard Questions: Faith-filled Responses for Tough Topics and “God Heals Us” and “Somebody Prayed for Me” are included in Blessed Is She: The Transforming Prayer Journeys of 30 African American Women.

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.

January 7, 2020March 2, 2022

Meredith M. Walker, Hunt Institute Fellow

Meredith M. Walker, Chief Economist for EarthX Hunt Institute, Fellow

Meredith Walker is a Global Economist and Head of Prize Advancement for XPRIZE—the world leader of international prize competitions that achieve radical breakthroughs for humanity, thereby launching profitable businesses, innovative industries, and revitalized markets.

Ms. Walker has over 25 years of experience conducting economic research on global issues and building international relationships to deliver innovative solutions. She activates a worldwide network of visionary leaders to provide the multi-million-dollar prize purses that incentivize teams to solve complex problems. A public speaker and published author, she delivers positive, proactive messages on economic growth, transformational technologies, and entrepreneurial, market-driven, cross-sector solutions to global problems in security, sustainability, and resilience.

Ms. Walker is a Fellow at the SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity and a member of the National Association for Business Economics. She serves on the Board of Councilors for the EastWest Institute and is a member of Business Executives for National Security, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Board of Directors Alumni, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum Leadership Council. She is the America’s Future Series Advisory Board Chair and Megellas Award Trustee.

Prior to joining XPRIZE, Ms. Walker served as Chief Economist for EarthX, an international environmental forum, and led fundraising efforts for multiple non-profit organizations. She began her career as an economist at the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and New York and an international business consultant.

When asked what motivates her to do impact work, Ms. Walker said, “Through inclusive innovation guided by concern for environment and equity, we can work together to build a better future for all.”

Ms. Walker completed her MS in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and held a Chinese language and area studies fellowship. She holds a BA from The University of Texas at Austin Plan II liberal arts honors program with a double major in Economics, minors in Asian Studies and French, and interned at the Pentagon and State Department Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary. She is committed to international bridge-building for a better, safer world.

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.