The 2014 Compone Implementation Trip: Meet the Team

The University of Maryland chapter of Engineers without Borders has been involved in water system and purification efforts in Compone, Peru, a small town in the Andes of Southern Peru, since the spring of 2008.  (Click here for a thorough project history).  Over the course of the last several years, the chapter worked to improve irrigation channels and minimize water loss in the community.  The water, however, remained unsafe to drink, as the chapter was not successful in building a disinfection system. 

After years of preparing multiple design solutions, the 2014 implementation trip resulted in the successful installation of a chlorine water disinfection unit in Ayllu San Isidro water district of Compone.  A group of over 70 students and faculty worked to design and test a solution during the fall 2013 semester.  Many students and advisors prepared implementation plans: Achal Amin, Joe Andrews, Brian Avadikian, Sean Bagnall, Jordan Cassell, Hyunjo Choi, Maria Coelho, Mateus Coelho, Addison Goodley, Kevin Hogan, Kelly Hogenson, Abby Iacangelo, Delaney Jordan, Bhumibhat Kerdsuwan, Elisabetta Lambertini, Kelly Latham, Zachary Lawrence, David Marin, Ed Miller, Dominick Montero, Mike Nociolo, James Pokodner, Nelson Quispe, Jon Tseng, Ben Tunick, and Caislin Wheeler.  

Six engineers traveled to Peru in January to execute the project team’s plans:

Jordan Cassell is a sophomore civil engineering major.  Jordan will serve as the Project Leader for the Compone project starting in February 2014.
Jordan’s Compone Superpower: Tallest woman in Peru.  Also, calculations.

Juan Cruz is a sophomore electrical engineering major.
Juan’s Compone Superpower: Bargaining for hardware supplies nearly every day.

Kevin Hogan serves as the Project Leader for the Compone EWB project.  He is a senior computer engineering major.   Kevin previously traveled to Compone for the 2013 assessment trip and worked tirelessly to lead the project team in development a feasible solution.
Kevin’s Compone Superpower: Fearless leader.  Also, low culinary standards. 

Abby Iacangelo is a junior biomedical engineering major. Abby also serves as the EWB-UMD chapter Vice-President. 

Abby’s Compone Superpower: Pound-for-pound weightlifting champion.

John Tseng is a junior computer science major and also serves as the EWB-UMD chapter Webmaster.
John’s Compone Superpower: Reducing three weeks worth of work in a two-minute time-lapse. Also, eating contest titleholder.

Dr. Bart Forman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is a Faculty Advisor and Professional Mentor for the Compone EWB project.
Bart’s Compone Superpower: “Historical” references. Also, coffee procurement.

The 2014 implementation trip also marks the second time that EWB-UMD has traveled with a Public Health without Borders team.  The Maryland PHWB team prepared community organizing and health education activities to compliment the construction of the chlorination system.  A team of seven sophomore Global Public Health Scholars students (Hannah Asmail, Cinthia Ennaco, Ali Jourabchi, Stephanie Olcese, Priya Parikh, Kamran Partovi, and Joshua Trowell) worked with faculty and graduate students to develop a safe water curriculum for children and educational materials for adults.  Faculty and graduate students also prepared a community mapping interview protocol and evaluation tools.  The following individuals traveled to Peru for the 2014 implementation trip:

Graciela Jascheck is a doctoral candidate in epidemiology and biostatistics.  Graciela previously traveled to Compone during the 2013 assessment trip and frequently served as a translator for the group. 

Graciela’s Compone Superpower: Diplomatic relations.

Stephanie Olcese is a sophomore neurobiology major and Co-Founder of the Public Health without Borders student group. 

Stephanie’s Compone Superpower: Piñata destruction.  Also, best boots.

Priya Parikh is a sophomore individual studies major focusing on global health.  She is also a Co-Founder of the Public Health without Borders student group. 

Priya’s Compone Superpower: Hand-washing sing-along captain.

Greg Raspanti is a doctoral student in environmental health and toxicology.  Greg  previously traveled to Compone during the 2013 assessment trip. 

Greg’s Compone Superpower: Kitten whisperer.

Dr. Stephanie Grutzmacher, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Science, is a Faculty Advisor for the Compone public health team. 

Stephanie’s Compone Superpower: Not dying. 

Stay tuned for a chronicle of our adventures and accomplishments! And, here's a morning view from the school classroom in which we stayed: