Ali Beskok, Ph.D., Hunt Institute Senior Fellow

Ali Beskok, Ph.D. is a Hunt Institute Senior Fellow, is the Brown Foundation, Inc. Professor of Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Beskok previously served as the former Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering.

Ali Beskok, Ph.D. is a Hunt Institute Senior Fellow, and he is the Brown Foundation, Inc. Professor of Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Beskok previously served as the Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering from 2013-2019.

Currently, his research concentrates on the theory, experiments, and numerical modeling of micro- and nano-scale thermal/fluidic transport processes, which have applications in bio-microfluidics, nanotechnology, and energy systems. The Biomicrofluidics Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Beskok, focuses on the study of microfluidic and nanofluidic transport phenomena and the design of fluidic devices with applications in healthcare, energy systems, and biochemical analysis. In the biomicrofluidics lab researchers design, build, and test Lab on Chip devices for biomedical, environmental monitoring, and food/water safety applications. Researchers also perform numerical simulations of mass momentum and energy transport in micro and nano-scales, using continuum based and atomistic methods.

In 2018, Dr. Beskok partnered with the Hunt Institute’s Global Development lab for his research in the Lab on Chip Point of Care Device (POCD). The first phase was completed in the Spring of 2019 and produced a broader impact report titled Bridging the Gap in Diagnostics. Phase II is focused on COVID-19 antibody detection research.

Regarding this cutting-edge research, Dr. Beskok says, “The gold standard for antibody detection is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, its application is limited by its portability and high-cost operation. Its detection mechanism relies on receptor/target molecule reactions, which take place through diffusion-dominated transport kinetics. Therefore, the detection mechanism is quite slow and has low sensitivity. Unfortunately, the most recently developed lateral flow assays exhibit low sensitivity and specificity, and these cannot be reliably used for determining the spread of COVID-19 infection. We developed a quantifiable, accurate, fast, portable, and inexpensive diagnostic method based on detection of Covid antibodies from blood plasma. This point of care device will enable testing of the entire or large portions of the population for COVID-19.

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

Robert Hunt, Ph.D.

Photo of Robert Hunt

Robert Hunt was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1955. After attending school in Austin and Richardson, he majored in History at the University of Texas in Austin. After completing a Master of Theology at Perkins School of Theology (SMU) he served as associate pastor of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas.

In 1985 he and his wife Lilian moved to Kuala Lumpur, where he taught at the Seminary Theology Malaysia and directed extension education programs. He received a PhD from the University of Malaya in 1993, focusing on Christian relations with Muslims in Southeast Asia. From 1993 to 1997 he taught and directed extension education programs at the Trinity Theological College in Singapore. From 1997 to 2004 he was pastor of the English Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna, and an adjunct professor in Comparative Religions and International Relations at Webster University in Vienna.

Since 2004 Dr. Hunt has been the Director of Global Theological Education at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He teaches courses in World Religions, Islam, Interreligious Dialogue, Cultural Intelligence, and Mission Studies. Dr. Hunt is author of several books, including The Gospel Among the Nations, A Documentary History of InculturationIslam in Southeast Asia, and Muslim Faith and Values: A Guide for Christians.

A strong advocate for using digital technologies to create effective, accessible theological education Dr. Hunt created and manages the Virtual Visiting Professor™ website (http://virtualvisitingprofessor.com), which makes available the best theological teaching from the 2/3rds world to a global constituency. He also created and hosts the podcast Interfaith Encounters that explores interfaith perspectives on contemporary social issues, as well as a blog, YouTube channel, and Facebook pages by the same name.

Dr. Hunt is a certified Cultural Intelligence trainer, Associate of the Tower Center for Political Science, and Hunt Institute Fellow. He is a member of the Board of Scholars of the Journal of Interreligious Dialogue, as well as the Executive Board of the Association of Professors in Mission, the American Society of Missiology, and is editor of the ASM book series. He serves on the steering committees for the SMU Doctor of Liberal Studies and Master of Liberal Studies programs and teaches in both programs

When asked what motivates his work, he replied, “The focus of my professional life, as a teacher and pastor, has been interpretation: helping people understand one another, their history, different cultures and religions, and themselves. I believe that every person, culture, and society has something valuable to offer to others, and that we discover this through critical and appreciative study, open dialogue, and a willingness to learn.”

He has been married for 37 years to Lilian Wong Hunt, a native of Sarawak, Malaysia and has two grown children. Naomi lives with her husband and daughters in Austria and Elliott lives with his wife in Los Angeles.

He speaks Malay and German.

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, FacebookTwitter, 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.

Eric Larson, Ph.D.

Photo of Eric Larson

Photo of Eric LarsonDr. Eric Larson is a Hunt Institute Fellow and an associate professor in the computer science department at SMU. He is also a member of the Darwin Deason Institute for Cybersecurity, Center for Global Health, and SMU AT&T Center for Virtualization. Dr. Larson is a founding associate editor for the journal on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable, and Ubiquitous Technology (formerly UbiComp). 

His research explores the interdisciplinary relationship of machine learning and signal/image processing with the fields of security, mobile health, education, psycho-visual psychology, human-computer interaction, and ubiquitous computing. Like most academics, he has a passion for teaching and mentoring, and views research as an ideal opportunity to instruct the next generation of computer scientists and engineers. He is in a unique role, supporting cyber-security, education, healthcare, and sustainability applications via the integration of machine learning and ubiquitous sensing, and has become increasingly interested in sensing markers of health and context awareness using commonplace sensors. His research supports many healthcare, educational, and security initiatives by creating applications that (1) manage and diagnose many chronic/infectious ailments, (2) help learners master educational topics, and (3) investigate information leakage in pervasive and mobile devices. His dissertation research has also had impact in the area of sustainable resource usage, where he created algorithms for monitoring water, gas, and electricity usage using machine learning (now a commercial product). 

His work has also helped to develop applications for real time cognitive load monitoring, privacy implications of smartphones, newborn jaundice screening, and lung function measurement, among others. These projects have resulted in eight patents of which six have been commercialized by various companies including Google. He has secured over $6 million dollars in federal and corporate funding that support these various initiatives. Dr. Larson has  published one textbook and disseminated his research in over 50 peer-reviewed conference and journal papers, garnering more than 3700 citations.  He received received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington where he was an Intel Science and Technology fellow. At UW, he was co-advised by MacArthur Genius Fellow Shwetak Patel and IEEE Fellow Les Atlas. He also has an MS in Image Processing from Oklahoma State University, where he was advised by Damon Chandler.

When asked what motivates his work, he replied, “In my work, I hope to bridge the gap between evaluation techniques from human computer interaction and machine learning research and evaluation. Too often machine learning researchers do not appropriately scope their evaluation or use iterative HCI techniques in the design of the system. Through intersecting the research in these areas, I hope to help human subjects research become more computationally technical (in terms of the modeling performed) as well as helping to assist machine learning research in becoming more adaptive and rigorous in its application.”

When he is not working, he is spending time with his wife and three wonderful children, including bike riding, making home improvements, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

 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, FacebookTwitter, 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.

Silvia Rivera ’18

 

srivera@smu.edu

Silvia Rivera ’18

Student Analyst

  • Senior, SMU Class of 2018
  • Cox School of Business, General Business
  • Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, International Studies and Spanish
  • President’s Scholar
  • Cox BBA Scholar
  • McLane Scholar
  • Research on artisan entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development

 

“My motivation is closely tied to my personal beliefs and life experiences.  Like a perfectly functioning ecosystem, I believe that everyone and everything in this life is (somehow) connected.  Growing up, a string of small opportunities opened up the world for me. The idea of giving back by creating even the smallest opportunity for someone else to improve their life, and thereby the lives of others through those they touch, is what drives me.” – Silvia Rivera

Silvia graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A in General Business and B.A.s in International Studies and Spanish. She was also an SMU President’s Scholar and Cox BBA Scholar. As a child, she immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Chiapas, Mexico and is passionate about breaking down complex issues and empowering underrepresented individuals.

At the Hunt Institute, Sylvia conducted research on artisanal entrepreneurship and empowering female artisans and assisted with the Hunt Institute’s Inclusive Economy Consortium.

While at SMY, Silvia build professional experience and developed her business acumen through case competitions, leadership workshops and summer internships, most recently serving as an Advisory intern for global professional service firm EY in Dallas, TX and Bogotá, Colombia.

Currently, Sylvia is attending Boston College where she is pursuing a Masters in Education in Early Childhood Education.

Contributors to this blog post:

Written by: Kim Strelke

Edited by: Silvia Rivera & Maggie Inhofe

Photo by: Alissa Llort

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.

Maggie Inhofe ’18

minhofe@smu.edu

Maggie Inhofe ’18

Student Fellow

  • Masters in Design & Innovation, SMU 2018
    • Student Senate Scholar, 2018
    • Maguire Public Service Fellowship, 2017
  • Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Yale University, 2015
    • Harvey Geiger Fellowship, 2015
    • William F. Buckley, Jr. Fellowship, 2014
    • Duncan Robinson Scholar of British Art, 2013

 

 

 “I came to the Hunt Institute because I believe in design that is beautiful, helpful and accessible.  There are pockets in our world, both here in Dallas and across the globe, that lack design fueled by intentionality and integrity.  My hope is that the work done here can inspire solutions that can be adopted anywhere, by anyone, to make this world as it ought to be.” – Maggie Inhofe

Maggie studied Design + Innovation at SMU, a new degree that aims to teach human-centered design to students from every discipline. She first fell in love with the field of design through studying the built environment, but now enjoys studying systems and using iterative design processes on all types of projects. She came to the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity because of their commitment to disrupt patterns of local and global poverty.

Maggie was a part of the Evie team in 2016 and also worked on a student housing project in Taos, NM. She was awarded the Maguire Public Service Fellowship to study modular building systems for compressed earth block houses.

After graduating from SMU, Maggie has been working as a Design Strategist for Fidelity Investments.

Contributors to this blog post:

Written by: Kim Strelke

Edited by: Maggie Inhofe

Photo by: Alissa Llort

 

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.

Alejandro Dominguez ’20

adominguezgarcia@smu.edu

Alejandro Dominguez Garcia ’20

Solar Energy Project Lead

  • SMU Class of ’20
  • Mechanical Engineer major
  • Business Administration and French minor
  • Engineering intern at Quantum Utility Generation
  • SMU Multicultural Award of Excellence
  • Honor Roll
  • Second Century Scholar
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Hilltop Scholar
  • President of National Society of Hispanic Engineers

 

“As a mechanical engineering student of the 21st century,  technology seems to be growing exponentially; however, most engineers focus on the advancements of technology and not of the human race. I am motivated to help fill this gap and make technological advancements affordable so that humanity as a whole can grow and everyone can live better lives.” – Alejandro Dominguez Garcia

Alejandro graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Business Administration and French. He was also an SMU Hilltop Scholar, Second Century Scholar, and President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

He was born in Mexico City, Mexico and moved to the United States with his family as a child. He is passionate about the aerospace and energy industry and how to use these fields to help the progression of humanity. Alejandro conducted research for the Hunt Institute on 3D printed Hydroponic and Aeroponic systems that increased efficiency and lowered the cost of Urban Farming.

While at SMU, he  built professional experience through summer internships, most recently serving as an Mechanical Engineering Intern for the energy and utilities company Quantum Utility Generation in Houston, TX.

After graduating from SMU, Alejandro has been working as a Mechanical Engineer at BP.

 

Contributors to this post:

Written by: Kim Strelke

Edited by: Alejandro Dominguez Garcia & Maggie Inhofe

Photo by: Alissa Llort

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.

Wendy Alyea ’18

walyea@smu.edu

Wendy Alyea ’18

Student Analyst

  • Environmental Engineering Graduate Student in SMU 4+1 program
  • Engineering Fellows Scholar
  • Provost Scholar
  • Chi Epsilon American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Student Project Lead for the Taos Project: Site Evaluation
  • Member of the Evie Project Phase II: Optimization in Growing
  • Research in environmental assessments and alternative growing systems

 

 

 

“Learning about the impacts of human industrialization and fragility of many environments, I wanted to promote human interaction with nature without the effect of damaging the environment.  I get to incorporate my skills as an environmental engineer and my passion for site evaluation and habitat restoration into my projects at the Hunt Institute.” -Wendy Alyea

 

Wendy Alyea graduated from SMU studying for a Master in Environmental Engineering through the SMU 4+1 program. She received previous degrees in May 2017, a B.S. in Environmental Engineering and a B.A. in Chemistry, with completion of her undergraduate studies at SMU. During undergrad, she studied classics for a semester abroad at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Her graduate degree will be completed in May 2018.

Wendy began working with the Hunt Institute in fall of 2013 in conjunction with an Engaged Learning project on aquaponics. When the mentor for her Engaged Learning project left for sabbatical, Dr. Eva Csaky volunteered to become her new mentor. Through this partnership, Wendy produced a paper on waste optimization alternatives, an instruction manual for aquaponics, gardening, and composting, and a case study on aquaponics system failure. She worked on the Evie Phase I and II projects and the community garden.

Wendy was also the student lead on site evaluation for the Taos project at the SMU-in-Taos campus. This involved an environmental assessment to determine the impact of material collection at one site on campus and construction of an earthen brick structure at the second site.

Wendy interned for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 office in the water enforcement division and at MWH Global, now a part of Stantec, in the water and wastewater design branch in Dallas, TX. Between Fall 2016 to Spring 2017, Wendy also completed a senior design project to determine grit removal technology for the Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Fort Worth, TX.

 

Contributors to this post:

Written by: Kim Strelke

Edited by: Wendy Alyea & Maggie Inhofe

Photo by: Alissa Llort

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.

Tynesia Boyea-Robinson, Hunt Institute Fellow

Tynesia Boyea-Robinson is a Hunt Institute Fellow, the President and CEO of CapEQ, and an Executive Board Member for Big Thought.

Tynesia Boyea-Robinson is a Hunt Institute Fellow, the President and CEO of CapEQ, and an Executive Board Member for Big Thought. Boyea-Robinson exemplifies cross-sector leadership with extensive experience in consulting on impact investment. She has a desire to collaborate with Dr. Eva Csaky in mentoring students involved in research in the inclusive economy and can be seen working in the Institute readily available for our team.

In her book, Just Change: How To Collaborate For Lasting Impact, Tynesia shares her experience investing in cities and leaders across the country. The goal of Just Change is to help readers understand what’s working, what’s not working, and why in order to improve their own communities. Boyea-Robinson’s experience as an entrepreneur, Six Sigma blackbelt, and technologist uniquely positions her to catalyze a results-driven era of social change. In her previous role as Chief Impact Officer of Living Cities, she was responsible for ensuring $100M of investment produced outcomes that improved the lives of low-income people across the country.

In 2011, Boyea-Robinson founded Reliance Methods to help Fortune 500 clients like the Carlyle Group, Marriott, and others change the way the world does business. Tynesia has been religiously leading and writing about enterprises that “do well and do good” for over a decade. As President and CEO of Reliance Methods, she continues to demonstrate how business and community goals can powerfully align towards mutual outcomes.

Boyea-Robinson relies on her deep experience as a social change agent to advise clients. For example, she leveraged effective cross-sector partnerships to help establish the Social Innovation Fund and the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act. Additionally, as founding Executive Director of Year Up National Capital Region (NCR) she raised $20M, was recognized by President Obama, and supported the organization to ensure thousands of low-income young adults are hired in careers with family sustaining wages.

When asked what motivates her in impact work she replied, “We need to reimagine what is possible for an economic system that helps everyone. Businesses and corporations can and should be a large part of this reimagining—obviously, they are the primary driver of capitalist values and decision making. Capitalism is just a tool to meet an end–we just have to use the tool in the right way.”

Earlier in her career, Boyea-Robinson was a leader within several business units at General Electric. From transforming the entire company to utilize technology for online sales to leading an international mortgage bank acquisition, her experience at GE groomed her to achieve outcomes regardless of industry.

Boyea-Robinson has been a featured speaker for a broad array of audiences including South by Southwest and the White House Council for Community Solutions. She has published several articles, which have been featured in the Washington Post, Forbes and in Leap of Reason: Managing to Outcomes in an Era of Scarcity. Her work was also highlighted in the New York Times bestseller A Year Up as well as in the Harvard Business School case study Year Up: A Social Entrepreneur Builds High Performance. She serves on numerous boards and committees.

Boyea-Robinson received her MBA from Harvard Business School and has a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Duke University. She and her college sweetheart, Keith, are committed to indoctrinating their children, Dylan and Sydney, with, “… a love of Duke basketball and all things geeky and sci-fi.”

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.

Improving Cost Effectiveness & Sustainability of Agricultural Practices Through Innovative Biopolymer Treatment

Improving Cost Effectiveness & Sustainability of Agricultural Practices Through Innovative Biopolymer Treatment Sevinc Sengor, Mahdi Heidarizad, Jesse Hull, Deborah Oyedapo, & Dr. Eva Csaky, Executive Director of the Hunt Institute at Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University

In 2015, the Hunt Institute awarded Dr. Sevinc Sengor a seed grant to pursue research of a biopolymer compound, produced from Rhizobium tropici sp. In 2016, after Dr. Sengor was able to produce substantial evidence supporting its importance, she was awarded an EPA grant to further this research titled “Improving Cost Effectiveness & Stustainability of Agricultural Practices Through Innovative Biopolymer Treatment.”

Dr. Sengor’s research team is comprised of Mahdi Heidarizad, Jesse Hull, Deborah Oyedapo & Dr. Eva Csaky in collaboration with the US Army Corp of Engineers ERDC-EL research team. This team has been undertaking experiments which are carried out in a controlled laboratory environment using tomato plants, with three objectives: (i) to study the impact of the application of biopolymer compound, produced from Rhizobium tropici sp., on the growth of the tomato plants, to be measured based on the quantity and amount of tomatoes harvested, (ii) to measure the sugar and nutrient content of the fruits harvested to compare the nutritional attributes of the treatment and control groups, and (iii) to study the quality of the water circulating in the hydroponic system, to test the degree to which ammonium and other nutrients are removed from the water in the treatment and control groups.

Improving Cost Effectiveness & Sustainability of Agricultural Practices Through Innovative Biopolymer Treatment Sevinc Sengor, Mahdi Heidarizad, Jesse Hull, Deborah Oyedapo, & Dr. Eva Csaky, Executive Director of the Hunt Institute at Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University
Student Ph.D. Jesse Hull, discussing the research at the expo booth

This project was selected to be presented at the 2017 P3 National Sustainable Design Expo at Tech Connect. The conference and expo’s purpose is to be, “a global technology company. that serves as the critical link in what is often referred to as “the Global Innovation Pipeline” by working to bridge the divide between promising technologies and potential investors. This is done through a series of conferences, with the annual Tech Connect World Innovation Conference and Expo bringing together some of the greatest minds in the physical and life sciences.” The P3 (People, Prosperity, and the Planet) National Sustainable Design Expo (NSDE) was co-located with the Tech Connect Conference, allowing EPA P3 student projects to showcase their innovative ideas for a sustainable future alongside EPA programs, government agencies, and advanced tech companies.”

Improving Cost Effectiveness & Sustainability of Agricultural Practices Through Innovative Biopolymer Treatment Sevinc Sengor, Mahdi Heidarizad, Jesse Hull, Deborah Oyedapo, & Dr. Eva Csaky, Executive Director of the Hunt Institute at Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist UniversityAccording to the concluding remarks of Dr. Sengor’s presentation, the hydroponic experiments were carried out with tomato plants using .5% of biopolymer, compared against control. Water quality analysis showed slightly more P absorption by the biopolymer and no difference in others. Analysis of the tomatoes showed ~45% heavier tomatoes with higher sugar content (~18%). Root scan analysis showed larger root volume (~129%), surface area (~75%) and root length (~35%). Finally, the team concluded that further investigation of biopolymer for various crops for reduced fertilizer use with optimum efficiency is needed.

Meet Adri

Adrienn Santa ’18

asanta@smu.edu

Senior Design Team Leader

  • Mechanical Engineering & Mathematics Major
  • Engaged Learning Fellow 2017-2018
  • Lyle Research Fellow 2017 Summer
  • Full Athletic Scholarhip
  • Athletic Director’s Honor Roll
  • Varsity Letter Winner
  • All Conference Honor – American Athletic Conference
  • Best Newcomer Award – Women’s Swimming and Diving (2014-2015)

“My parents have always encouraged me to help people in need.  The Hunt Institute gives me the opportunity to work on problems which could help people, who does not have enough resources or knowledge, to find solutions to their problems which affects their everyday life.  I am also very passionate about the field of renewable energies, which is an environmentally friendly way to produce energy.  They have a great potential to replace other non-renewable energy sources in the future.”

Adrienn Santa is a senior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.  Her studies in engineering have prompted interest in energy generation, because of this she is considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy.

Adrienn was working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Hunt Institute and as a Lyle Research Fellow over the summer which helped her realize the importance of development of urban farming and gardening. Her future goals are to be able to design sustainable solutions for low-income communities and people who do not have access to fresh heathy food.

One potential solution would be to use the vacant lots and buildings for food production. An innovative low-cost heating and cooling system, efficient irrigation system, and vertical gardening would also make urban farming more accessible for communities in need.

Adrienn grew up in a very sustainable family in Hungary, where everything is homemade and all vegetables and fruits are grown in her grandparents’ garden.  This also motivates her to help other people who do not have access to these resources. The reason Adrienn likes working at the Hunt Institute is because it gives her the opportunity to utilize her passion towards creating these solutions.

Adrienn’s favorite free time activity, swimming, took her overseas as she was granted with a full athletic scholarship at SMU in 2014. Other interests of hers include traveling to different places, countries and getting to know other cultures, as well as participating in different extreme sports.

 

Contributors to this post:

Written by: Kim Strelke

Edited by: Adrienn Santa & Maggie Inhofe

Photo by: Alissa Llort

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 LinkedInFacebookand 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.