Past Awardees

Fahdi Alew, a third-year biology student with a passion for global health equity, will investigate the compounded impact of comorbidities on Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Kenya. Collaborating with the African Centre for Community Investment in Health (ACCIH), and Chemolingot Hospital, his project will examine how HIV, tuberculosis, and malnutrition intersect with VL to exacerbate health challenges. Fahdi will conduct a retrospective review of patient records, gather insights from healthcare professionals, and analyze social and economic data on affected communities. His goal is to support Kenya's efforts to eliminate VL by 2030 while addressing health disparities in underserved populations. Motivated by personal ties to Kenya, Fahdi seeks to contribute to local healthcare strategies and improve treatment pathways for marginalized communities​ in the country.

Abigail will use her Srinivasan Family Award to investigate the biological and sociocultural trends leading to the acquisition of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among women of reproductive age in Baringo County, Kenya on a co-op with the African Center for Community Investment in Health. By collecting data through interviews, questionnaires, and medical records, she seeks to understand how VL impacts women's reproductive health, access to healthcare, and cultural roles. Abigail intends to raise awareness among local women through education programs and hopes her findings will inform prevention strategies, ultimately contributing to Kenya's efforts to eliminate VL and alleviate poverty. Her work will not only aim to improve the well-being of women in Baringo County but also has the potential to influence VL studies globally and spur advancements in technological solutions for women's health issues.

Lydia Adobea Dampare Addo, a second-year MBA student will spearhead a Maternal Health Pitch Competition to support African entrepreneurs in healthcare innovation. Lydia's competition will engage students and alumni from Ashesi University in Ghana and other African universities to develop creative solutions for maternal and infant health challenges. The competition will include a call for applications, mentorship for participants, and a pitch event where finalists will present to industry experts. By driving innovation in maternal health, Lydia aims to support Africa's health sector and strengthen Ashesi's capacity for future contests. Her project will contribute to a larger goal of fostering health-focused business ventures that address Africa's healthcare challenges.

Sima will be conducting a mental health needs assessment amongst refugees in three urban refugee camps in Beirut, Lebanon with her Srinivasan Family Award. By focusing on the effects of economic crisis on food security, livelihoods, education, and healthcare access, Sima aims to develop a new framework for understanding family well-being in developing markets. This research will be crucial given the urgent need for mental health support, particularly among marginalized refugee populations. Sima seeks to identify potential social solutions, such as grassroots community-based approaches to mental healthcare, to address this crisis without overburdening the healthcare system. Through qualitative needs assessments, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the mental health and social needs of refugee and low-income Lebanese families, ultimately aiming to make a meaningful impact on mental health support in Lebanon.

Marjan Monfarednasab (MBA 25'), Gaurav Heroor (Supply Chain Management 25'), and Gyo Nakatani (Entrepreneurship 25'), the team behind the startup LeafGuardian, will be introducing an AI-powered bedside device to prevent pressure injuries in Indian healthcare. This initiative targets long-term care patients at risk of ulcers from prolonged immobility. Using thermal imaging and vision cameras, LeafGuardian will detect early signs of pressure injuries, enabling preventive intervention. The project will pilot devices in Indian hospitals, train healthcare staff, and refine AI algorithms using locally collected data. By addressing a critical healthcare gap, the team aims to improve patient care, reduce costs, and build partnerships with Indian healthcare providers. LeafGuardian hopes to raise care standards, streamline workflows, and establish a strong market presence in India​.

Chinonso will be publishing and presenting recent research in the under-studied yet crucial areas of trade integration, soft power, and the global influence of African emerging markets with her Srinivasan Family Award. With the bulk of her research already completed, her immediate goal is to share her insights in the Journal of Student Research (JSR) to spark online discussions and engage a wider audience in the topic. She then plans on presenting her work at several local conferences on development, business, and innovation in Africa to deepen understanding of the topic and network with fellow researchers and thought leaders. Chinonso's project aims to contribute a comprehensive analysis of how individual African countries, with a focus on Nigeria and the DRC, can leverage their influence on global pop culture and manufacturing industries to enhance Africa's presence on the global stage. By publishing her research and participating in conferences, Chinonso seeks to stimulate more prominent conversations and intersectional approaches to African trade integration, soft power, and global influence, ultimately benefiting emerging markets in Africa and attracting increased research attention to this vital subject.

Oluwadamilola Oyedotun, a second-year master's student in Biotechnology, will be organizing and hosting a conference for biomedical research in Nigeria to improve collaboration, infrastructure, and capacity within the research ecosystem. By providing a platform for dialogue between academia, government, and industry stakeholders, she hopes to establish pathways for Nigerian researchers to pursue impactful studies that address pressing local health issues while overcoming barriers to cross-sector collaboration. The conference will include workshops, panel discussions, and a poster session for early-career researchers. Oluwadamilola aims to unite 200-300 stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to establish research roadmaps for future initiatives, identify infrastructure needs to strengthen health research in Nigeria, and foster new partnerships. Through this initiative, she seeks to empower researchers and create lasting pathways for health innovation in the country.

Carolina Pacheco-Balcazar, a fourth-year student double majoring in Economics and Political Science, will be spearheading a rural solar electrification project in Oaxaca, Mexico, in collaboration with the Energy Agency, Bright Inc, and IluMexico. Her project will develop market research for solar adoption in underserved areas with low electrification rates and launch three pilot solar systems in targeted communities. By leveraging mobile money platforms for pay-as-you-go models, the project aims to make off-grid solar energy affordable and accessible. Carolina will conduct surveys, establish public-private partnerships, and develop a financing model to ensure long-term sustainability. This initiative seeks to bridge the urban-rural energy divide, promote digital financial inclusion, and support sustainable development in Puebla, all while aligning with Carolina's passion for climate solutions and social impact​.

Erdi will use his Srinivasan Family Award to investigate the feasibility of biochar production and application in agricultural systems in Indonesia. With a specific focus on generating carbon credits for climate change mitigation and improving soil health, Erdi seeks to assess the production viability of using agricultural waste as biomass materials for biochar production, conduct feasibility studies on biochar production, and develop business models for integrating biochar into Indonesian agricultural practices. The project not only aims to demonstrate a sustainable method to manage agricultural waste but also aims to improve food security in local communities in the country by enhancing soil fertility and crop yields. Furthermore, it aims to unlock the potential of biochar in Indonesia to fulfill global demands for carbon credits, making a significant impact on sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation in Indonesia.

Isabel will utilize her Srinivasan Family Award to assess the nutritional status of patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) at Chemolingot Hospital in Baringo County, Kenya. Her project aims to achieve three objectives: determining the nutritional status and incidence of malnutrition among VL patients, and exploring the relationship between nutritional status and susceptibility to VL infection. Hosted by the African Centre for Community Investment in Health (ACCIH), she seeks to address the urgent need to understand and minimize the impact of VL, a neglected tropical disease prevalent in Kenya. Through collaboration with the TERMES Center and Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital, Isabel's work will contribute to closing gaps in research by quantifying the incidence of malnutrition in VL patients and assessing its relationship with VL infection. By laying the groundwork for future research on VL-malnutrition comorbidities and potential treatment interventions, Isabel's project will ultimately improve patient outcomes and benefit the community of Chemolingot, providing timely diagnoses and treatments for this deadly disease.

Domenica will spearhead a transformative project aimed at addressing environmental and social challenges in Ecuador with her Srinivasan Family Award. In partnership with a local company in the Ecuadorian cloud forest, Cloud Forest Organics, Domenica will be conducting market research on Ecuador's drinking water industry and developing a sustainable business model to commercialize water sourced from Cloud Forest Organics across the nation, with revenues supporting on-site reforestation initiatives. The business plan prioritizes aligning the triple bottom line, ensuring positive impacts on the environment, wildlife, and local communities, while sustaining ongoing reforestation efforts. Success in Ecuador could serve as a catalyst, inspiring wider participation in sustainable reforestation efforts across the Amazon region and potentially beyond. By leveraging the business model's replicability, Domenica hopes to foster sustainable development and conservation efforts.

Abigail will use her Srinivasan Family Award to study on cultural influences on community approaches to maternal and household health in East Pokot/Tiaty, Baringo County, Kenya. Abigail will explore the lived experiences of individuals, focusing on women's roles in decision-making related to health and autonomy within the context of a multi-disease burden, including visceral leishmaniasis and obstetric fistula. Hosted by The Research on Multi-Disease and Educational Services (TERMES) Center, Abigail will carry out the first anthropological review of the multi-disease burden on maternal and household health among Pokot women in Tiaty, offering insights into healthcare systems' strengths and weaknesses in resource-constrained settings. By identifying barriers to accessing maternal healthcare services and developing interventions to reduce maternal mortality rates, Abigail's research will contribute to Kenya's emerging market, fostering growth, investment, and innovation in global health. The project's potential for scalability lies in its applicability to other endemic regions of visceral leishmaniasis, further amplifying its impact on maternal health outcomes in Baringo County and beyond.

The Innovators for Global Health (IGH) group will use a second round of funding through the Srinivasan Family Awards program for their latest initiatives in Ghana, which aim to address critical health system gaps through sustainable, locally-driven solutions. With partnerships established with three hospitals in Ghana and chapters launched at local universities, IGH will embark on designing solutions to new medical device problems identified through needs assessments conducted in March 2024. These solutions, including a low-cost infant phototherapy system, infant pulse oximetry adaptation, and an electronic patient history database, will be tailored to reduce reliance on expensive imports and promote sustainable healthcare. Through collaboration with regulatory agencies and local entrepreneurship initiatives over the next year, IGH seeks to integrate their innovations into the healthcare system to enhance care quality, healthcare innovation, and economic development in Ghana.

Dhwani is currently working to implement biodigester technology at a school in Fort Portal, Uganda, to produce sustainable energy for cooking and lighting. Biogas technology has gained prominence as a sustainable energy source that supports a circular economy and principles of maximizing resource utilization and reducing waste, particularly in developing nations where organic waste management and energy access are critical challenges. In her first six months of this project, Dhwani has completed research on the exact biogas product she will need for this system, developed a partnership with a local biogas company to provide technical support, and commenced construction at the school site. She will be spending several months in Uganda in 2024 to work with students at the school and teach them about the biogas system and develop partnerships with local farmers and community members to oversee maintenance and create a sustainable waste collection system from their farms.

Alex aimed to provide a foundational model for sustainable medical development in off-grid regions through the deployment of portable medical exam and refrigerated testing technology in Chemolingot, Kenya, in cooperation with the African Centre for Community Investment in Health (ACCIH) and SolerCool Technologies. With his Srinivasan Family Award, Alex introduced cold chain laboratory sample transport as refrigerated backpacks that could be carried by volunteer motorcycle drivers often serving as emergency responders in the region. Alex partnered with the Kenyan Red Cross and World Vision to implement this technology in several immunization campaigns and held training sessions with healthcare workers. He established three transport routes to coordinate sample collection and increase and standardize the frequency at which sample collection takes place. Following the program evaluation, Alex prepared his data to publish the program model as a pilot study to hopefully escalate the program to the sub-county level.

With her Srinivasan Family Award, Layan traveled to Dubai in November 2023 to volunteer with the Atlantic Council at COP28 and commenced research on the evolving collaboration between the oil and gas industry and sustainability objectives outlined by the United Nations. She specifically sought to understand the formulation of sustainability goals, the decision-making processes involved from government and corporate parties, and the pivotal role played by emerging markets, particularly that of the United Arab Emirates, in spearheading compliance and collaboration initiatives. Since COP28, Layan has been collecting additional qualitative data from industry professionals to gain a greater business perspective on why certain companies may or may not adopt sustainable business practices. She plans to submit her research for publication in August 2024.

Victoria plans to host a hackathon in Fall 2024 to develop open-source and community-based research tools that can alleviate financial burdens for neuroscientists across the African continent. By providing a platform for practicing neuroscientists, Victoria seeks to foster international collaborations that allow African neuroscientists to enhance the quality of brain research, education, and practice. Since receiving her Srinivasan Family Award, Victoria has developed a partnership with Lilongwe College in Malawi to host the event and begun developing the agenda for the hackathon. She will be collaborating with the non-profit Black In Neuro to reach prospective participants and volunteers and will spend the next few months developing a curriculum for an interactive workshop at the hackathon before eventually traveling to Malawi for the event in December.

Christian has used his Srinivasan Family Award to research the potential of Open Finance, a new regulatory framework that promotes the sharing of financial data and enables third-party providers to offer financial services, to enhance small and medium enterprises access to capital in Brazil. By analyzing the Brazilian Open Finance framework, Christian seeks to identify the specific mechanisms through which it can facilitate financing opportunities for these enterprises and potential barriers to adoption in Brazil's current financial landscape. His research aims to outline initiatives for enhancing financing for small and medium enterprises across the country and help accelerate the development of financial de-centralization in Brazil. Christian will be traveling to Brazil in Summer 2024 to conduct interviews with individuals working in the Open Finance, blockchain, and banking industry to supplement the secondary research he has already conducted on the background of the industry.

Shreyas sought to analyze the barriers that prevent emergency medical care providers from delivering high-quality care to patients in Tiaty, Baringo, Kenya. His research study aimed to assess the structural determinants of health affecting access to emergency care, develop recommendations for prehospital emergency care, and expand the scope of practice of volunteer emergency-response motorcycle riders (Boda Bodas) in the area. Shreyas traveled to Kenya in August 2023 to carry out interviews with Boda Bodas and healthcare workers for his study with his Srinivasan Family Award. Partnering with the Kenyan Red Cross and local clinicians, he organized training sessions covering first aid, CPR, and blood control for 40 Boda Boda riders, then conducted training assessments. With his data, Shreyas also produced recommendations for the ACCIH, the Kenya Red Cross, and the Ministry of Health to address other training needs.

In Spring 2024, Leah used her Srinivasan Family Award to travel to Kenya for six months to investigate barriers to access testing and care for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a neglected tropical disease. Conducted in collaboration with the African Centre for Community Investment in Health (ACCIH) in Kenya, Leah has identified intertwined barriers that hinder health-seeking behavior and has identified specific interventions for healthcare facilities to undertake to improve access and quality of care. She has also identified how more intense weather patterns due to climate change, such as drought, flooding, and intense storms, also hinder access to care. She plans on wrapping up research analysis in Summer 2024 and working with the ACCIH to guide public health initiatives that encourage and facilitate timely treatment, ultimately reducing VL fatality and fostering a healthier and more engaged population.

With her Srinivasan Family Award, Sima has worked to provide advocacy resources and training for comprehensive reproductive health education to schools and health institutions in Kathmandu, Nepal. She has developed an advocacy toolkit to promote the implementation of culturally relevant and scientifically accurate sex education and has since distributed her toolkit to over 300 nursing students and several secondary schools. She has also partnered with a high school in Kathmandu to pilot these trainings with students and set up additional seminars with schools outside of Kathmandu to expand the scope of her project. Since receiving her award, Sima has presented her findings at several equity and global health conferences. She plans on targeting policymakers, law students, and educators as she moves into the next phase of her project to encourage greater adoption of her curriculum across the country. She received supplementary funding in the Fall 2023 to expand her project.

With her Srinivasan Family Award, Saraina spent 6 months in Baringo County, Kenya, to investigate the efficacy of preventative education interventions in reducing the occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the region. She gathered data from nearly 200 households to measure the impact of educational efforts on individual behaviors and community-level awareness regarding VL and has also worked with mobile clinics associated with the African Centre for Community Investment in Health to supplement her research. Her findings on which interventions have and have not led to positive health incomes will offer insights for the ACCIH into their restructuring for better community engagement and prevention of other neglected tropical diseases. She plans to present her findings at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Conference in New Orleans in November 2024.

Kojo's startup, Fluid Finance, aimed to create a software solution that reduces the costs and risks of lending to smallholder farmers in Ghana. Since receiving its Srinivasan Family Award, Fluid developed a lending software product called “Know Your Farmer” to help micro-finance institutions (MFIs) automate processes, track payments more securely, and provide financial services with limited internet. They piloted a cashless financing model, established partnerships with 8 MFIs, and reached over 5,000 farmers in the first year of their company. They established a partnership with OLAM, one of the world's largest commodity buyers, and have begun engaging in research and development in climate-smart agriculture to connect farmers with markets for their crops. Moving forward, Fluid will focus on helping smallholder farmers build wealth, enhance agricultural infrastructure, and build climate resilience through technology.

Advit's startup, Dunamis, aimed to produce sneakers with detachable soles to reduce the consumer cost of participating in sports. By providing consumers the opportunity to purchase only one shoe and interchangeable soles for different activities, he hoped to make sports more accessible to low-income communities. With his Srinivasan Family Award, Advit participated in an internship to learn about the sole-making process and developed a working prototype of his detachable sole model. He also was able to partner with a manufacturing company to make personalized screws for his product's insole. Following his award period, Advit planned to wrap up research and bring his product to market.

Benjamin's startup, SaluTemp, used its Srinivasan Family Award to create a monitor device to provide clear and accurate smartphone alerts to healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers when their medicines and vaccines are stored outside of the correct temperature range to prevent degradation. In their first year of operations, SaluTemp secured a full patent for their device and began prototype development. They were nominated for the Massachusetts Innovation Network Eddies Awards in 2023, which enabled them to connect with manufacturing and financial experts in their innovation field who have since provided critical counseling and prototype development guidance. Heading into 2024, SaluTemp partnered with Northeastern Generate to wrap up software development and released their first working prototype.

Chase's startup, Hydrovia, aimed to miniaturize algae bioreactors and modify their nutrient profile to produce a complete spectrum meal replacement staple that would be low-cost and energy-efficient. Chase used his Srinivasan Family award to construct two prototype algae harvesting systems that could filter algae from water quickly enough to sustain a family of four. He developed a patent and a go-to-market strategy for his product and was able to begin testing several shelf-stable recipes for his food product. Following graduation, Chase set off to identify a successful food product and refine his harvesting system so that it would be easier for users to assemble.

Maria held a panel discussion exploring the intersection between beauty standards, mental health, and economic background. Using Brazil and the United States as examples, Maria's panel investigated this intersection in emerging and developed markets. With her Srinivasan Family Award, Maria organized and held a virtual event with three academic panelists on July 27, 2023. She was able to connect with several Northeastern clubs and other universities in Boston to connect with a larger student community and was able to implement a fundraising aspect to the event to solicit support for one of her partner organizations in Brazil. Following the panel's completion, Maria transformed the recording of the event into educational videos that could be circulated on social media to generate additional conversation.

With their Srinivasan Family Award, the Chinese Markets Club (CMC) organized a stock pitch competition designed a stock pitch competition focused on China's food and beverage industry to provide fellow Northeastern students the opportunity to better understand and try their hand at investing in emerging markets. They recruited four student teams to compete, coached teams on their stock pitches, and brought school alumni, professors, and students together for a day-long competition on October 4, 2023. Following the competition, CMC decided to broaden their organization's scope and become an Emerging Markets Investment club on campus. They hope this competition can become an annual event.

Northeastern University's chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) set out to design and build a three-stall bathroom and a wastewater system for a school in Chuixil, Guatemala to increase access to sanitation and improve community health. With their Srinivasan Family Award, EWB traveled to Chixuil in August 2023 to oversee the construction of their wastewater system and bathroom. They completed designs for the bathroom and wastewater system and were able to use the remaining funding to cover construction material costs for the project.

With their Srinivasan Family Award, the International Business Club held its first inaugural international business & emerging markets case competition on October 28, 2023. Five teams of four students from the D'Amore-McKim School of Business participated in this full-day event, where each team prepared and delivered a case to a panel of five alumni judges. Based on the successes of this event, the IBC developed a plan to organize case competitions for the next 3-5 years, with hopes of the competition expanding to welcome teams from other universities in the Greater Boston area.

With their Srinivasan Family Award, the Northeastern University Global Health Initiative (NUGHI) held the 5th annual NUGHI conference to provide students with knowledge and professional insight into how to become productive activists for global health equity. The club successfully organized a conference on March 26, 2023, welcoming 60 participants to the event. NUGHI collaborated with four other student-led organizations to host interdisciplinary discussions and research presentations on climate change and shed light on the importance of emerging markets in global health.

The student group TAMID, a consulting and investment organization for Israeli companies, used their Srinivasan Family Award to organize a conference in November 2022 to highlight Israel's start-up ecosystem and showcase Israel's entrepreneurial mindset to fellow Northeastern students. The conference gathered 140+ students from Northeastern, Babson, and Boston University and hosted 10 speakers to discuss Israel's startup ecosystem. Following the event, the organizing committee created a playbook with planning information from this conference to help future leaders organize subsequent events in coming years.