Current Interns in Haiti (in order of arrival)
 Sunny Pereira (Michigan Technological University - Environmental Engineering)
[Profile]
Sunny is an environmental engineer
that has focused most of her studies and work on international sustainable
development and modern languages. Growing up in Brazil inspired her
to understand people’s struggles and work for the poor in the developing
world. She has lived and worked in Brazil, South Africa, Guatemala,
Bolivia, Spain, and USA. Most of her projects have been focused on water
issues and conservation, but she is now ready to explore new ground
in Haiti by working on biodigesters, composting latrines, and a windmill.
In Cap-Haïtien, she enjoys her evenings by dancing with children on
the roof, playing with flash-cards (to improve Creole and French), swimming,
and hanging out with new friends. (Arrived: February '08)
Current
Interns in Guatemala (in order of arrival)
Steve Lee (Brandeis University, M.A. Candidate, Sustainable
International Development)
Stephen will obtain an M.A. in Sustainable
International Development from Brandeis University in 2008. His masters
project is a study of collaborative and participatory relationships in
the design, dissemination, and evaluation of appropriate technologies
in rural communities. Stephen has worked extensively in the nonprofit
and NGO sector, most recently as a project lead for TechSoup, helping
to build a global platform for technology donations. Since the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami, he has also served as a volunteer for Forum
Bangun Aceh, an Indonesian community-based organization helping
affected communities through microenterprise and education projects.
Stephen will be working with AIDG to assist in the development of tools
and strategies for collaboration and information sharing across AIDG’s
diverse stakeholders. Stephen has a B.S. in Computer Science from
Northwestern University. (Arrived: August '07)
Work at AIDG: Stove Project Coordination & IT Systems
 Alexandra Surasky-Ysasi (Brown University, Mechanical Engineering) [Profile]
Alex
recently completed her bachelor's degree at Brown in mechanical
engineering, with a focus in energy conversion, fluids and thermal
systems. She has investigated options for a powder feeder system along
with analyzing the performance of heat exchangers at a steel plant in
Mexico, and designed an array of thermal sensors for use in the field
of combinatorial chemistry at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Through Engineers Without Borders, Alex coordinated a semester-long
group research project to create a performance model of solar
energy-powered water heating systems designed for use in Afghanistan or
Tajikistan. Her interest is in the creation and application of
sustainable technologies to be implemented in developing countries,
with a particular interest in Latin America both from an engineering
and social perspective. (Arrived: September '07)
Work at AIDG: Micro-Hydroelectricity Production
Chase Nelson (Michigan Technological University, Environmental Engineering) [Profile]
While a student at Michigan Technological University (MTU) Chase
completed semesters at the following universities (through exchange
programs); Curtin University (Perth, Australia), University of
Alaska-Fairbanks, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. At MTU
he took advantage of many service work opportunities to enhance his
training as an environmental engineer and to help those less
fortunate. In the fall of 2006, he designed a storm water drainage
system for a village in Bolivia. In May 2007 Chase graduated from MTU
with a degree in Environmental Engineering. (Arrived: October '07)
Work at AIDG: Dome Biodigestor
 Natalie Bonilla Maldonado
(The Brussels School of International Studies, M.A., International Relations).
Natalie obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Communications
from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After receiving
her Master’s Degree in 2007, Natalie volunteered for the International
Rescue Committee in Maryland, USA, where she assisted in the resettlement
process of refugees into the United States. Natalie has previous work
experience with the World Bank in the Latin American Division, and with
the National Technical Institute of Nicaragua (INTECNA). Her interest
lies primarily in working for projects in sustainable development. Having
lived in Nicaragua, the United States, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey,
and Belgium, Natalie is extremely fond of languages, cultures, and travel. (Arrived: April ’08)
Work at AIDG: Community Outreach and
Facilitation
 Kate Simpson (Sydney University, Australia – B. Chemical Engineering/ B. Arts (French, Spanish)).
Kate
is a chemical engineer who for the past three years has worked in the
water treatment industry in urban Australia, where the safety of piped
drinking water is taken for granted. Kate's work in Australia
has reflected the present needs of its water industry, which revolve
around securing water supply for a future of high urban population
growth and uncertain rainfall. The high-tech solutions to these
problems are far removed from the relatively simple and inexpensive
technologies which could save the lives of rural Guatemalans, many of whom die each year from water-borne diseases. Keen
to apply her engineering knowledge to meeting these most basic human
needs, and also to discover the natural beauty and rich culture of
Guatemala, Kate has come to AIDG for five months to establish a water
group to investigate and develop technologies for a new sustainable
water business in Xela. (Arrived: April 08)
Work at AIDG: Water Project Leader
 Gordon Schweitzer (University of Dayton – Mechanical Engineering)
Gordon is currently obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton in Ohio. Gordon focuses on renewable and alternative energies while maintaining an interest in developing sustainable technologies. Gordon recently helped design a geothermal heat pump system as a senior design project. Also,
as student body president this past year, Gordon worked to incorporate
sustainability into the mission of UD through different campus
resources. At AIDG, Gordon is working to further develop and install RAM pumps in different communities around Xela. Gordon is fond of salsa dancing, languages, and anything energy related. (Arrived: May '08)
Work at AIDG: Ram Pumps
 David Goosen (B.A.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, University of British
Columbia)
David completed a Batchelor’s degree in Mechanical
Engineering at the University of British Columbia in 2005. He has a variety of
professional experience in research and development and production engineering
and is keen to apply his knowledge to the field of renewable energy. David
recently managed the set-up and operation of a production facility for the
manufacture of energy efficient, pre-fabricated housing.
(Arrived: June '08)
Work at AIDG: Micro-Hydro Project Management
Past
Interns
Our Intern Program started in the summer of 2006, and has expanded
significantly since then. AIDG is extremely gracious for the following
people's support and dedication:
- Carlos Poza: TecoTours & Education Center, January '08 - June '08 (Yale University, Literature and International Studies)
- Katie Bliss: Community Outreach, August '07 - May '08 (University of Sussex, UK, BA, Environmental and Development Studies) [Profile]
- Corinna Grace: Intern Coordinator, June '07 - May '08 (U. of New South Wales, Sydney -
Mechanical Engineering) [Profile]
- Emily Freeh: Accounting, XelaTeco Business Development, September '07 - April '08 (Northwestern University, International Development)
- Liakos Ariston: Ram Pumps, September '07 - March '08 (Johns Hopkins, BS Civil Engineering)
- Beau Baldock: High Efficiency Stoves, Serpentine Solar Hot Water Heater, October '07 - March '08 (Middlebury College, Vermont - History of Art and Architectural Design)
- Anne Romeo: Micro-Hydroelectricity Circuitry, August - December '07 (Cambridge University, Masters in Electrical and Information Engineering)
- Alissa Johnson, Low Cost Solar Hot Water Heater, June - November '07 (U. of California, Berkeley -
Material Science and Engineering)
-
Alia Whitney-Johnson, TecoTours, Summer '07 (MIT, Cambidge - Environmental Engineering)
- Kristen Radecsky, Windmills, Summer '07 (Humboldt State University, Arcata -
Environmental Resource Engineering)
-
Maarten Graveland, Plug Flow Biodigestors and Serpentine Solar Hot Water Heater, September '06- May '07 (Randmeer College, The Netherlands - Electrical
Engineering/Physics)
- Elena Krieger, High Efficiency Stoves, February-June '07 (Harvard University, Cambridge -
Physics and Astronomy & Astrophysics)
- Corrado Di Dio, Community Outreach and Assessment, February-June '07 (University of Bologna, Italy -
International Studies and Diplomacy)
- Nick Bianchi, XelaTeco Business Development, February-June '07 (MA University of Illinois, Chicago
- Urban Planning and Policy)
-
Jochen Schloesser, XelaTeco Sales Training & AIDG Customs and Legal Issues, March-May '07 (BS
University of Texas at Austin - Dual degree in Finance and Communication
Studies)
- Jesse Engel, April-June '07 (University of California, Berkeley
- Physics)
- Megan Brewster, Plastic Recycling, Summer '06 (PhD Material Science and
Engineering, MIT)
- Chris Brooks, Hydroelectricity, Summer & Fall '06 (MA Renewable Energy, Murdoch
University, Perth, Australia)
- Mollie Chapman, Community Outreach, Fall '06 (BA Anthropology, Stanford
University)
- Erin Fried, TecoTours, Summer '06 (MA Urban and Environmental Policy
and Planning, Tufts University)
- Kelli Horner, Hydroelectricity, Summer '06 (MA Environmental Engineering and
Science, Stanford University)
- Ana Maria Madison, Accounting, Summer '06 (MBA, University of Michigan)
- Jeff Miller, Hydroelectricity (BA Mechanical Engineering,
University of Technology, Sydney)
- Sylvia Smullin, Plastics Recycling (PhD Physics, Stanford University)
- Margot Rode, Solar Hot Water (BS Civil Engineering, University
of Colorado)
- James Russel, Water Filters & Ram Pump (MA Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Stanford University)
- Erick Zielke, Hydroelectricity (BS Environmental Resources
Engineering, Humboldt University)
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Internships 
