Duke Engineers Without Borders

Mission

Duke Engineers Without Borders partners with communities in the developing world to work on environmentally, economically, and culturally sustainable projects. We strive to improve quality of life through community identified needs and solutions based on best engineering practices that the NGO partners we work with believe will work best for their communities. Our secondary mission is to develop aware engineering students who will gain exposure and experience by working on these projects.

Programs

We have two projects in Uganda, one in Indonesia, and one local project in Durham, NC. In Uganda we are working on a water resource project in Kasaka with a local university and on the project described below. In Indonesia we are working on a sustainable mechanical aerator for shrimp farms in Banda Aceh working with a local NGO aiding in Tsunami recovery efforts. In Durham we are working on a disability accessible playground with Durham Parks and Recreation.

Funded Projects on GlobalGiving

Resource Center for farmers in Nkokonjeru, Uganda

Personnel Overview

Dr. David Schaad - Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Chair
Dr. David Schaad has over twelve years of design and engineering experience as a consulting engineer working for various firms including: Parsons Engineering Science, Appian Consulting Engineers and Marshall Miller and Associates. Current research focuses on water and wastewater treatment design, sustainable engineering in land development, water resources, water and wastewater treatment.

Dr. Daniel Vallero - Adjunct Associate Professor
Vallero is in charge of the Certificate Program in Science, Technology and Human Values which provides students an opportunity to explore the social and cultural dimensions of science, technology, and medicine. The program brings together students and faculty from the sciences and engineering with their counterparts in the humanities, with a heavy emphasis on interdisciplinary study and discussion

Lee Pearson - RASD project Co-Director
Passion sparked by two short-term volunteer trips abroad led him to pursue engineering as it applies to international development. He is a junior at Duke University. He directs Duke Engineers Without Borders, lead a multi-year water resource project in Uganda, and with a team, developed a sustainable aerator for small-scale shrimp farms in Indonesia. He now devotes effort to the RASD project.

Personnel Statistics

Dr. David Schaad,
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Chair
Founded in 2004
Employees: 0
Volunteers: 30

Financial Statistics

Budget (2006): $ 27,000
Budget (2005): $ 12,000
Maximum Budget: $ 60,000
Overhead: 1 %
Other funding sources: Lord Foundation, Duke Engineering Alumni Council, Leonard M. Reiser Fellowship, Other Duke resources
Religious Affiliation: - No religious affiliation, but will certainly work with faith based groups.