Meet the Team

My name is Julia O’Brien and I’m a junior pursuing a dual-degree in Spanish and Chemical Engineering with a Biomanufacturing Concentration. I’ve been thoroughly involved with EWB since my freshman year, working as the Financial Director, participating in fundraising efforts, and traveling with our project team on both our assessment and implementation trips. I am currently on Co-op with Eastman Chemical, and look forward to being able to meet the new members of the team next semester when I return! My hobbies include spending time with Sarita McConnell.

Hi, I’m Luke Shealy. I’m a sophomore in environmental engineering and one of the co-leads of the Guatemala Water Sources and Treatment Team and had the opportunity to join our first implementation team. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors and am involved with the Leadership Unpacked podcast.

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My name is Andrew Daddone and I am a freshman Mechanical Engineering intent. Outside of EWB I am part of the Krispy Kreme Challenge Sponsorship committee and undergraduate research studying the failure mechanisms of blast loaded composites. When I am not doing work, I enjoy going to the gym and playing intramural sports.

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My name is Alexandra Boily and I am a freshman with a Chemical Engineering intent. I am trilingual in French, Spanish, and English and I have three citizenships. Outside of school, I am part of the Swim Club and I enjoy playing the piano.

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Hi I’m Carter Rucker and I am a first-year graduate student in Civil Engineering with a focus in Coastal Engineering. For my master’s thesis, I am researching improvements to a model which predicts coastal hazard levels during high-energy storms. I have been on the Guatemala Water team since its inception in the fall of 2016 and have thus far traveled to Guatemala during both our assessment trip and first implementation trip. In my free time I like playing the bass and going to football games.

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My name is Thomas Alston. I am a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering and I have been involved with EWB since my freshman year. Outside of my coursework, I am involved in a constructed wetlands lab where I am researching the impacts of different designs on constructed wetland wastewater treatment plant effectiveness. I am an avid admirer of nature and in my free time I enjoy going to the gym.

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My name is Christina Guirguis and I am a freshman majoring in Industrial Engineering. I plan to also minor in Computer Programming and Business Administration. I speak intermediate Arabic and Spanish. Aside from school, I enjoy playing volleyball and hanging out with friends.

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My name is Sarah McConnell and I am a junior studying Industrial Systems Engineering and Spanish. I am one of the co-leads for the Guatemala Water Project team and have been involved with EWB since my freshman year. I love anything outdoors; running, hiking, soccer, yoga, and collecting candles.

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My name is Alex Battistoni and I am a freshman in engineering with a Mechanical Engineering Intent, and this is my first year with Engineers Without Borders. Outside of EWB, I am involved in the BAJA SAE club. In my free time, I enjoy playing intramural football and soccer.

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My name is Ramya Balasubramanian and I am a freshman planing on majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring or double majoring in Spanish. I am also involved with undergraduate research, VOLAR, and the Goodnight Scholars Program. I love reading, listening to music, and spending time outdoors!

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My name is Sindhu Polavaram and I’m planning on double majoring in Spanish and Environmental Engineering. Outside EWB, I am involved in undergraduate research and Indian dance. In my free time, I like to read, cook, and go to concerts.

 

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My name is Daniel Cockson and I have the honor to be a sophomore in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a minor in Philosophy at NC State University. Outside of EWB, I am heavily involved with undergraduate research, the Goodnight Scholars Program, and volunteer/non-profit work. Additionally, I am passionate about learning, reading, anything outdoors, and traveling.

 

My name is Sarah Hall and I am a freshman in engineering with Biomedical intent. Besides being a part of EWB, I am in the Goodnight Scholars Class of 2022 and the Helping Hand Project. I speak French and have traveled to Guatemala before. Some of my hobbies include watching college football and doing embroidery.

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My name is Sam Blackman and I am a junior in Biological Engineering with concentrations in Ecological and Environmental Engineering. I am also considering a minor in Agroecology. Outside of EWB, I participate in two research positions within my department. For fun, I like to play video games and DnD with friends as well as go for runs.

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My name is Gracie Hornsby and I am a junior in Civil Engineering with a concentration in water resources and a minor in Environmental Science. I have been a member of EWB and the Guatemala Water Systems team since my freshman year. Outside of EWB, I volunteer with the Circle of Women for Social Action and Mutual Aid in Yaounde, Cameroon and I am an ambassador for the Goodnight Scholars Program. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy any and all time spent outdoors.

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My name is Leanna Frei, and I am a junior in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Sustainable Urban Infrastructure and a minor in Nonprofit Studies. I am currently co-oping with Inventure Civil, which is based in Wake Forest. I also am the founder and former president of The Origami Club at NC state, and I still enjoy going to every meeting. My hobbies include origami, bicycling, and finding weird stuff at thrift shops.

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My name is Annelise Gummere and I am a sophomore in Environmental Engineering concentrating on water systems and water resources. I recently transferred from UNC Asheville, and have been busy exploring NC State, Raleigh, and all they have to offer! Outside of EWB, I am involved with ASCE and several LGBT+ initiatives. In my freetime, I enjoy writing short stories and riding my bike.

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My name is Nick Zelasky and I am a junior in mechanical engineering. This is my second year as a EWB member and second year working on the Guatemala Water Project. In my freetime, I enjoy being outdoors, working out, and playing video games. I look forward to this upcoming with Engineers Without Borders.

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My name is Raven McLaurin and I am a sophomore in Environmental Engineering. I have done research for the Environmental Protection Agency focusing on the concentration of healthy bacteria in the greater Raleigh waterways. Aside from academics, I enjoy traveling and have traveled to a total of five different countries. I love to volunteer, write, and talk to a variety of people.

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My name is Holly Newman and I am a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. This is my first year as a member of EWB and I’m excited to get more involved! In my free time, I enjoy running, exploring new places, and volunteering.

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My name is Austin Stella and I am a freshman from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I am majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Global Sustainability and Development, and intend to double major in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Outside of EWB, I am the Vice President of Club Flag Football at NC State and enjoy going to the gym and attending sporting events with friends.

 

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My name is Rachel Finkelstein and I am a junior majoring in chemical engineering with an intended double major in Spanish. I have been involved in EWB since sophomore year and traveled on our implementation trip in August. Outside of EWB, I am involved in undergraduate research and the University Scholars Program, and enjoy reading and traveling.

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My name is Jeremy Lowe and I am a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering. I have been a part of EWB since the fall of my freshman year and have taken on the role of Public Relations Director. I also had the privilege of serving on the first implementation trip in Caserio Panhux, Guatemala. In other aspects of my life, I am heavily involved with the Caldwell Fellows program and undergraduate research, and enjoy running and biking in free time.

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My name is Jim Randall and I am a senior in Environmental Engineering. I joined EWB Guatemala Project at NCSU during the spring semester of 2018, and I am excited to be back this year! In my free time I enjoy watching movies and tv shows, playing video games, and like to go kayaking when I get a chance.

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My name is Wesley Hayes and I am a junior in Environmental Engineering. I have been involved with EWB since spring of my freshman year and traveled on the implementation trip in August. I am also involved with undergraduate research and enjoy spending my free time outside doing things like hiking and camping.

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My name is Jessica O’Neill and I am a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in biomaterials. I have been involved with Engineers Without Borders and the Guatemala Water Systems team since my freshman year. Aside from EWB, I am also very involved in the Engineering Village as a mentor to first-year engineering students, as well as the Biomedical Engineering Society Club, and Kappa Kappa Gamma!

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My name is Kellie Knight, and I’m a junior Pre-Health student. I have been a part of the Guatemala Water Systems project since my freshman year and am excited about my continued involvement.

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My name is Lila Schutt. I am a freshman Aerospace Engineer intent. Outside of EWB, I am on the Merchandise Committee for the Krispy Kreme Challenge, serve as the Director of Programs for Bowen Hall Council, and am learning Russian. I’m passionate about environmental conservation and enjoy traveling, spending time with friends, and staying active 🙂

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My name is Vanessa Merritt. I am a sophomore double-majoring in International Studies and Wildlife Biology.  Though I am not an engineer, I am interested in EWB-GWS because I hope to have a career working with international communities to pursue projects that are tailored to the locals’ desires and are environmentally sustainable.  I was born and raised in Raleigh, and my hobbies include birding, reading, hiking, and hanging out with friends.

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My name is Haley Zamorano and I am a Sophomore in Civil Engineering with an intended Minor in Spanish. This is my first year being involved in a Project Team with EWB at NCSU, but am also involved in TRIO, the Honors Program, the Peer Mentor Program, and have an on campus job. Outside of class, I like to work on art projects, longboard, and spend time outdoors.