Our Solvers

Dr. Albert Ko

Dr. Ko, from the University of Hong Kong, is volunteering to conduct the structural analysis of the Hexayurt shelter using plywood as a material. Dr. Ko has a broad appreciation of many engineering disciplines, including designing mechatronic systems, artificial immune systems and intelligent robotics systems. He is also a highly experienced non-profit organization volunteer. He has been serving human relief organizations, such as Medecins San Frontieres (MSF), in war-torn countries for more than a year, and was involved in emergency response teams for the 2005 South-Asia Tsunami and 2005 Pakistan Earthquake.

Dr. Torwong Chenvidyakarn

Dr. Chenvidyakarn, a University of Cambridge Lecturer, is volunteering to test the Hexayurt shelter's ability to withstand various climatic conditions, such as snow load and wind drift. He completed a PhD in Building Science and a MPhil in Environmental Design in Architecture at the University of Cambridge. His research projects range from use and adaption of building design for climate change to risk and uncertainty in the built environment and from remote sensing to sustainable development strategies and policies.

Miss Marianela Araya-Quesada

Miss Araya-Quesada is volunteering to identify water treatment options to remove E.Coli from a water filtration system for villagers in Tha Mai Ruak, Thailand. She has a Masters in Biosafety of Plant Biotechnology from the University of Ancoca and an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from the Instituto Technologico in Costa Rica. She has years of working experience in wastewater treatment and is currently a Biosafety Fellow at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

Dr. Peter Baker

Dr. Baker is volunteering his time to work on our Peru Coffee project. Currently, he is the Coordinator of coffee group for CAB International in the UK. He has 11 years of managerial and leadership experience in international coffee projects for major donors: four years based in Colombia with the Coffee Federation, six years management experience in Caribbean as head of an international research station, and six further years as researcher on coffee in S. Mexico. In addition, he has a proven record of high quality research, training and commitment to smallholder issues. Some of his interests include sustainable coffee production, effects of climate change on coffee, small holder participatory research, project development and execution and evaluation.

Mr. Rafael Vargas

Mr. Vargas grew up in Mexico where he studied a BSc degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. He completed a Masters in environmental engineering at the University of Nottingham. He is interested in water treatment, clean energy and air quality. In particular, he is interested in reducing fouling in membrane technologies, in treatment of the concentrated fraction, and in carbons. He says “I find the work of Science for Humanity very original and am happy to be part of the Thailand water group, where I can learn more about treatment options in developing areas”.