Hi everyone! It has been almost two weeks since we left Malawi. I am currently in Turkiye spending time with family.

Reflecting on my experience this summer, it was filled with ups and downs. From presenting our final projects to scuba diving in Lake Malawi, this summer has been filled with academic and physical adventures that have pushed me to grow as an individual. The friends I made from MUBAS and Kabula Lodge have fundamentally altered my outlook on this world.

It is easy to be interested in global health, but being on the ground and engaging with the communities is another thing. I am incredibly grateful to Rice360 for organizing this opportunity.

During my 8 weeks in Malawi, I worked on two main projects. The first was DigiScale, an app and digital scale system to help automate and improve clinical response during longitudinal child growth monitoring. This project was started when we first arrived and has come a long way! I am incredibly proud of our team for learning many different skills, ranging from CAD to database design to circuit design. Our second project, PneumoNate, focused more on receiving feedback. We gathered valuable feedback and evaluated certain limitations of the model. When I return to Houston, I hope to work with the team that created this project at Rice to develop their project further! In addition to our projects, we were also able to deliver 20 care packages to the kangaroo mothers at QECH and had the opportunity to shadow in the NICU. These experiences also helped cultivate our perspective beyond our engineering focus and allowed us to truly engage with the communities we were trying to help.

I am incredibly thankful to everyone I have met this summer and those involved in the journey.

Until next time!

Hi all,

Sorry for being a little late/ Our final week in Malawi has been jam-packed. Let us get right into it!

It began on Sunday.  We prepared for the week ahead by going to local supermarkets for our small personal project, care packages for kangaroo care mothers. We also finished up our designs from the weeks before and prepared them for printing.

The week passed by quickly. Monday mostly consisted of coordination and planning with the design studio. I also integrated the react-i18next library into our project, making our app available in Chichewa and English. Tuesday, we visited QECH to present our devices to some nursing students. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, Racheal and I could not present PneumoNate, but it was great supporting Katie and Bright while they received excellent feedback.

We pulled all-nighters on Wednesday and Thursday before our presentations on Friday. Most of the work was focused on putting our DigiScale together and creating an engaging presentation. Along with the late nights working came unforgettable memories of eating Ekhaya together and bonding over our shared experiences. We also delivered our care packages to the mothers and had the opportunity to distribute them as well. It was great seeing our work light up so many faces.

We presented to our clinical mentors, design studio technicians, and other stakeholders on Friday. It was great to look back over all we accomplished during the summer and all the fantastic people we met along the way. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to have one of the Global Health Fellows join us! The feedback we received will be valuable moving forward as we develop our project further. The vast majority of input around DigiScale was centered around how to ensure compatibility with existing systems and how we can build on our work.

After our presentations, we immediately left for Lake Malawi—the final trip before our departure. We arrived late at night, thankfully without having any problems. In the following three days, we were able to engage in all sorts of fun activities. On Saturday, we were able to go canoeing and participate in a sunset boat cruise. On Sunday, we went fishing, snorkeling, and ended the night with a sailboat sunset cruise. We briefly got stranded out on the water because our engine broke… but ended up safely.  Monday morning, we joined a Discovery Scuba tour. It began with a lesson on how to scuba, and then eventually we were able to dive 10-15m down. It was a fantastic experience and definitely motivated me to get my scuba certification in the future. After our fun scuba adventure, we returned to Blantyre. This car ride ended up being more of an adventure than we had expected. Instead of a regular 6-hour drive, it turned into a 12-hour ordeal, with multiple mechanic stops, traffic jams, and lots of bonding time. Unfortunately, we also missed our dinner with the Design Studio.

Overall, the weekend was a mixture of adventure, both good and bad. That being said, I am going to miss Malawi a lot. I have learned so much about myself and Malawi through this experience. My biggest takeaways from this trip have been that we do not really “need” as much as we think and that I enjoy building my ideas with bright, like-minded individuals. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in global health and engineering. While there will always be ups and downs, it’s incredible to experience a different culture and lifestyle. I am forever grateful to Racheal, Bright, the Design Studio, and our QECH clinical mentors for a fantastic summer. Keep in touch

Hello everyone!

Welcome back! Last weekend Mehmet and I went to a small town an hour away from Blantyre called Zomba to get away from the city a bit and do some hiking. We got to see a waterfall and eat some great Italian food, it was a great weekend getaway! 

Throughout this week Bright and I have been working to assemble our prototype and conduct some simulations. We discovered that some pieces did not fit together as expected due to differences in tolerance levels from our CAD model to actual 3D printing, so we had to adjust our CAD models to reflect that. Overall, there has been a lot of iterations and adjusting our models until the pieces fit perfectly together. We also attempted to use engineering simulation softwares such as Autodesk CFD and Simscale to validate our designs. However, there was a bit of a learning curve in terms of navigating the softwares as Bright and I both are unfamiliar with them, but we hope to get some results eventually and I am glad I was able to learn the basics of it! 

We also ran into a slight issue with our current design, as our push-pull mechanism did not work as expected. Although we intended for our two pistons to move linearly in opposite directions, while one moves linear the other piston begins partially rotating instead of strictly translating back and forth. We suspect it is due to certain mechanical imbalances and thus need to re-optimize our design. Currently, we are attempting to test our original scotch yoke mechanism plan as demonstrated in our low fidelity prototype, also adding linear guide rails to constrain the piston to move in a straight line. Although this was an unexpected challenge, we are ready to tackle it head on and see how much progress we can achieve in these last couple of days. 

Last Wednesday, Mehmet and I had the invaluable opportunity to shadow a neonatal physician at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. We began with a tour of the pediatric wards, and we were struck by both the scale and complexity of the facility, it definitely holds its name as one of the largest healthcare facilities in Malawi. Throughout the visit, we spoke with nurses and hospital staff who  shared their insights on the technological gaps and challenges they faced in delivering care. These conversations gave us meaningful perspectives on real-world clinical needs and were valuable insights that we could propose as future Rice 360 projects. 

Finally, Mehmet and I had a rare opportunity to witness a Cesarean Section surgery and neonatal resuscitation, both which we have never witnessed before. Observing this firsthand was fascinating and demonstrated to me how fragile yet precious life can be, and the absolute vital role healthcare professionals have in preserving it. I was especially inspired by the calm precision and unwavering dedication of the medical team in such high-stakes situations. This experience definitely left a lasting impact on us, reinforcing our passion to contribute meaningfully to the field of medicine whether through innovation, patient care, or both.

Finally, the whole MUBAS Design Studio team had an opportunity to take a fun day trip to Liwonde National Park, a game reserve where they were able to see more elephants, lions and super interesting herbivores. It was such an amazing and relaxing experience being able to spend time with all of the team members. I will definitely be cherishing these memories knowing that our time here is coming to an end. It is crazy to believe these two months have passed in a blink of an eye, but I am excited to head off into our final week and finish strong.

Until next time once again! 

Hi everyone! Welcome back! We just finished our 6th week in Malawi. I am excited to share the progress we’ve made and some updates!

So this week began on Mount Mulanje! Monday was a national holiday, so Katie and I decided to go on a 2-day overnight hike with some of our friends from Kabula Lodge. It was definitely the hardest hike I have ever done, but it was also very fulfilling as we got to cold plunge in a small pond and swim in a waterfall along the way. Our legs definitely were not happy the next day, but nonetheless, it was a great experience.

During the working week, we were preparing for our presentations of our medium fidelity prototypes on Friday, which turned out to be a great success. Racheal (my Malawian partner) and I have been working tirelessly to get our app, scale, and SMS database working. Unfortunately, we are still encountering some problems with the SMS database. We were able to pinpoint the issue to the lack of a 2G network in downtown Blantyre, as one of our TAs was able to use the GSM module at his home, but it never seemed to work at MUBAS. I definitely want to nail this down as soon as possible, as it is a very important part of our project since we want to make our app and device as accessible as possible, especially in rural clinics, which require SMS. Aside from the SMS issues, the app and scale development are going smoothly. We just completed the final CAD model for our scale and will begin 3D printing. We also transferred our working circuit onto a perfboard to make it fit within the CAD model. I am excited to finalize this part of the project next week. The app is also looking much better, as we have completed a good chunk of what we had envisioned. The only thing left is, again, related to the SMS! I am very happy with our progress this week.

The best part of our week was definitely shadowing the NICU and Dr. Moses Chanza. We were able to get firsthand exposure and experience in the neonate ward and learn about the impact that NEST360 has made on QECH. We also identified areas for improvement and potential individual projects that we can work on. One such project would be a formula dispenser that adjusts the input rate according to the neonate’s weight, size, etc., as they already have a similar device for dextrose. We plan on shadowing some other areas of the hospital next week to gain more valuable field exposure!

This weekend, we also decided to take a spontaneous trip to the Zomba Plateau. It is absolutely beautiful and I wish we had longer to visit. We were able to see monkeys, walk along a beautiful river, and enjoy a nice sunset hike. The more time I spend in Malawi, the more I feel like time is running out. I would love to bring my parents or friends here someday to experience the beauty of Malawi.

I have no doubt that the next two weeks will be very busy, as we finalize our projects and try to make the most out of our last days.

Stay tuned for more!

Hi everyone!

It’s been a busy and fulfilling week. On Sunday, we hiked up a local mountain called Mount Soche to catch the sunset. It was exhilarating as we had to scramble up a massive rock to reach the summit, but the view of the sun dipping behind the clouds while overlooking the entirety of Blantyre was breathtaking. Mehmet and I are now preparing for an even bigger adventure: a hike up Malawi’s tallest mountain tomorrow!

I’ve been reminded of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare throughout these hikes, as the journey can seem daunting as we try to rush to the top. But I’ve realised that even when the climb feels steep or slow, there’s no need to rush as the destination isn’t going anywhere. Along the way, there are still many beautiful viewpoints and small moments that make the journey richer. In fact, by taking your time, you often gain more from the experience than if you’d hurried through just to say you’d finished.

This also relates to the progress that Bright and I have made so far this week as it has been slow yet steady. On Monday, we put together a list of materials needed to build our prototype including nebulizer masks, cushioning foam, elastic nylon, and more. A key consideration throughout was ensuring that all these materials can be sourced locally. While it might be easier to find components online and have them shipped from places like the U.S. or Europe, our goal is to create a design that’s replicable in resource-constrained settings. It can seem challenging to work without high-end materials or equipment, but it pushes us to also think more creatively and intentionally. At the end of the day, we want our prototype to be  sustainable, practical, and accessible for continued use and production where resources are limited.

Additionally, to better understand the power requirements of our push-pull dual jet system we performed a series of fluid dynamics calculations. We first established a baseline by calculating the power consumption of a standard single-jet nebulizer using measurements, flow rates, and pressure data from a model we borrowed from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. From there, we compared three designs: the traditional single-jet, a split-nozzle system powered by one air jet, and our proposed push-pull dual jet design.

Our findings showed that the push-pull design was the most mechanically efficient. While all three designs aim to deliver the same airflow and pressure, the push-pull mechanism required less motor power than the split-nozzle setup. This is because the split-nozzle design only compresses air during the forward stroke, wasting energy on the return. In contrast, the push-pull system performs work on both strokes, effectively doubling output per motor rotation without proportionally increasing mechanical losses. With energy more efficiently utilized, we’ve decided to move forward with the push-pull design, while continuing to gather feedback from professors and advisors at MUBAS to ensure its long-term feasibility.

We’ve also worked on building 3D CAD (computer-aided design) models of our system. Using measurements from the nebulizer we had on hand, we adapted and redesigned components to fit our mechanism. I definitely had a lot of fun learning and tinkering with the software to bring our visions to life. 

Looking ahead, our goals for next week include using these CAD models to visualize airflow through the dual jet system using online simulation tools. These simulations will help us confirm whether the airflow is consistent and highlight any adjustments needed. We also plan to begin building and completing our medium-fidelity prototype. While sourcing materials continues to be a challenge, we’re confident that with creativity and persistence we can find a way to work through it and meet our objectives.

While progress hasn’t always been fast, it’s definitely been steady. Like the tortoise in the race, we hope to continue through these last three weeks by not rushing but by moving forward with intention, one step at a time.

Until again!

Hi everyone! I am excited to share with you all the progress we have made over this past week.

On Monday, our team worked on finalizing the code for our ESP32 scale interface. Over the last two weeks, we have been working on designing the circuits for our project while also integrating software to make our system cohesive. As shown below, we were able to get a simulation of our code with the proper components working with the buttons. The next step for this part of our project will be to make our ESP32 transmit its output to the healthcare provider’s phone through Bluetooth. Next week, we also plan on finalizing this build and 3D printing our CAD model to finish our medium-fidelity prototype.

Tuesday through Thursday, we shifted our attention to the ESP32-GSM module interface. For those who don’t know what those two components are, an ESP32 is a microcontroller similar to Arduino, except it has built-in Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities. A GSM module is used to transmit and receive SMS between devices. This interface is crucial as it serves as a sort of “server” that can then be used to communicate and transmit crucial clinical information between the database and healthcare workers in remote areas. A diagram explaining the different parts of our project can be found below:

On top of building the circuit, we were able to form a connection between Firebase (an online database) and the ESP32 module, making it possible to transmit information between the two. We also began working on writing the code to receive SMS messages from the GSM module. This process was a bit more challenging than initially anticipated, as we ran into some issues while debugging. Nonetheless, we are making steady progress on our DigiScale project, and I expect that we will finish this part of the project very soon!

Regarding the Lung Ultrasound Trainer (my other project that was brought from the U.S.), we coordinated with some radiographers on Friday, who helped us record some videos of the trainer to distribute them to more point-of-care ultrasound users to get feedback on the realism of the device. One interesting finding from our conversations was that ultrasounds are not often used on lungs in Malawi, as one radiographer mentioned that they prefer X-rays for many patients. This presents a unique challenge, but it will definitely be one that we can overcome with the right approach. I am excited to see how this project will progress, as I think the following steps will primarily include receiving feedback from clinicians.

Aside from work at MUBAS, I finished my physics final on Thursday, which was a significant relief, as it now means I will have more time to explore Malawi and pursue other passions. For example, Katie and I were able to go to a high school graduation today, and also went to the gym. I am excited to see what the next few weeks will look like!

Thanks for checking in with me! See you all in two weeks!

Hello Everyone!  

This past Saturday Mehmet and I went on our first true safari! I was in awe seeing such a wide variety of wildlife, but it was the elephants that captivated me most. As the largest land animals, their sheer size and graceful movements were mesmerizing, it was definitely an unforgettable experience. What fascinates me even more is their complexity, from rich social bonds and communication methods to their complex memories and emotional depth. Elephants are often seen as symbols of wisdom, and after this week, I find myself reflecting on how much I’ve learned and perhaps became a little wiser, too.

This week was a whirlwind of many events. First, our program coordinator for Rice 360, Michelle, came to visit us! It was nice to see such a familiar face and we really appreciated her coming to see our progress. We also spent time with other expats staying at our lodge whether going on the safari together or conversing during breakfast and dinner. It was interesting comparing and contrasting our countries, cultures, and experiences as these exchanges opened my eyes to global issues and ideas I hadn’t considered before, and I feel more inspired and eager to continue exploring this world. I even learned how to make nsima, a staple food in Malawi which we all ate together during dinner! Whether through cooking, conversation, or shared adventures, I felt like I was constantly learning,  gaining wisdom from many different perspectives. I’m excited to continue meeting people from around the world and to stay open to the many ways of seeing and experiencing life.

I’ve also learned a lot through my project this week. Throughout the week, we began developing 3D CAD models and developing a low fidelity prototype of our nebulizer project. Bright and I had to get creative, and it was both challenging yet fun having to figure out how to repurpose materials from a junk pile to construct a model with a functional mechanism. In the end, we were able to build a tangible vision of our project and I can’t wait to continue developing it further. 

We also decided on a couple of changes for our model from our initial design. For the multi-user interface, our original idea was to have two nozzles connected to the same air jet. However, after observing a jet nebulizer (used at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital), we noticed it operates using a push-pull mechanism. The motor turns a fan, which in turn rotates a gear that drives a pump. This pump generates the compressed air needed to aerosolize liquid medication.

Seeing how the gears and pumps interact through this push-pull motion inspired us to think about how we could harness opposing forces in our design. We started exploring the idea of adding a second air jet on the opposite side of the first one to use the reverse motion to generate additional air compression, hopefully devising a method to reuse mechanical motion more effectively and conserve energy. Another change is incorporating a corrugated tube into the design, allowing nebulizer use in multiple orientations to improve comfortability and usability for patients.  

However, these concepts are still in the early stages, and we’ve received valuable feedback emphasizing the importance of grounding our ideas in proven theory to ensure practical achievability. In the coming weeks we will conduct further research and consider possible limitations, as well as continue developing the tourniquet trainer arm model for technology feedback. Overall, this phase of development has deepened my appreciation for the engineering design process and allowed me to think creatively and wisely to problem solve through the challenges we’ve faced. 

It’s hard to believe we only have one more week before we are halfway done, but I am excited to continue learning and growing, maybe one day becoming as wise as the elephants that inspired me this week. 

Catch y’all next time!

Hi everyone, it’s Mehmet again. This week has been very informative and adventurous. Let me take you through my days.

This past Sunday, our American roommate and I went to play in a basketball tournament at the local sports complex. We split into teams of 5 each, with seven teams in the tournament. It was fun to navigate the cultural differences in play style and rules. I plan to join the sessions every weekend! It’s incredible how something as simple as a sport can bring people together.

On Monday, we had off from work due to Eid. As a result, we decided to participate in a sunset hike up Mount Ndirande. Hiking up the 1600m mountain was quite challenging, but the view absolutely made up for our “suffering.” Once we reached the summit, we sat at the top for around an hour, eating oranges and taking pictures before making our way down as the sun set. It was an exhilarating experience, and I plan to hike more during my time here.

During the week, Katie and I participated in multiple workshops. On Tuesday, we finalized the design criteria for our new project. My partner, Racheal, and I are developing a digitized system to monitor longitudinal child growth. Our current solution will include the creation of an app, a database that synchronizes with the existing health passport system, and a digital scale that automates the process of weighing a child. I am excited to start prototyping soon! This project will help build my understanding of microprocessors, app development, and database management.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we participated in Arduino and CAD workshops with our TAs. The lessons were eye-opening, and I am excited to develop our projects with these tools. We also met with a couple of our clinical mentors and planned the next steps for receiving feedback and needs-finding. In the coming weeks, I plan to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital more frequently and better scope out the healthcare system in this country.

This weekend, we are heading to the Majete National Park to explore the wildlife and go on a safari! I can’t wait to share the pictures and further progress on our projects!

Thanks for reading my blog post! See you next time.

Hello everyone, it’s Katie again! 

This week has been filled with new beginnings: new friends, new projects, and plenty of new sights. On our first day, we were introduced to many people including the design studio technicians, our TAs, and our new fellow interns. It was encouraging knowing we had a great support system to guide us through struggles and encourage us to grow in our engineering skills. It was also exciting meeting our new teammates; we’ll be working closely together on our projects and to improve the technology Mehmet and I brought from Rice.

Getting to know each other has been a lot of fun! We’ve shared stories about the foods we eat, the languages we speak, and our unique life experiences. Despite our differences, we’ve also discovered unexpected similarities including enjoying the same TV shows and music which led to a lot of laughter and bonding. It reminded me how deeply connected and similar people can be, no matter where we’re from. I cannot wait to continue our cultural and language exchanges and getting to know each other even more in the weeks ahead.

During this week, we were introduced to the projects that we will be working on throughout the internship. Bright and I will be  developing an enhanced nebulizer for pediatrics, while Mehmet and Racheal will be working on a digitized scale and app that helps with longitudinal child growth monitoring. Over the past few days, we’ve been actively reviewing and applying the engineering design process to guide our project work. While we were initially eager to jump straight into brainstorming solutions, we quickly learned the importance of approaching it methodically—taking the time to fully understand the problem’s scope and gather as much background information as possible.

After speaking with professors, clinical and technical mentors, and conducting our own research into nebulization, Bright and I now feel more confident in the direction we want to take, allowing us to establish clear goals and develop a solid framework for our project. Some of the key objectives in our design criteria include creating a multi-user interface, improving durability, and enhancing the comfort of the nebulizer.

One of our goals is making the device more child-friendly and reduce stress and discomfort for pediatric patients, which could improve treatment adherence by minimizing resistance and anxiety during use. We’re also exploring ways to optimize connection points and support simultaneous use by multiple patients, ultimately aiming to increase efficiency in treating children with respiratory issues.

That being said, we’re still very much in the brainstorming phase. We know that as we continue learning our objectives may evolve, so we’re doing our best to remain flexible and open to change.

We have also seen many new sights. We were able to receive tours of the design studio, the university, as well as this interesting building called the UniPod, filled with workshops, visual and audio studios to help engineers make their ideas come to life. We also visited one of the largest hospitals in Malawi, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There, we were able to take a look at nebulizers used in the hospital and receive more insight from the doctors there. 

Finally, we saw the countryside as we headed off to Game Haven, a game reserve filled with zebras, antelopes, buffalos and more! It has been such a great first week taking in all these new sights, smells, and sounds, and I cannot wait for the weeks to come!

Thanks for reading!

Katie

Hi everyone! My name is Mehmet Acikel. I am a rising sophomore on the pre-med track, studying biochemistry and minoring in global health technologies. I am originally from New Jersey, and my favorite hobbies include playing basketball and trying new cultural food. I am excited to embark on this two-month journey of learning and growth. I am excited to learn more about the culture, history, and people of Malawi. It is a blessing to have this opportunity, and I hope to give back as best I can.

My interest in global health began during my junior year of high school. At the time, I wrote my extended essay on the Mediterranean commensality, the act of eating together, and how it creates health benefits for both communities and individuals. I found the social and cultural dimensions of healthcare fascinating, and I read multiple books in the medical anthropology space, which furthered my interest in global health.

Since coming to Rice, I have had the opportunity to engage with the Rice 360 Global Health Club as part of the special topics committee and with the Rice Association for African Development, where I helped design an improved complementary food packet to address malnutrition in Nigeria. Both of these experiences furthered my interest in approaching global health from a technical standpoint, which led me to this internship.

Katie and I plan to focus on receiving feedback for two projects this summer: a tourniquet trainer and a lung-ultrasound traines used to simulate different lung pathologies. I am eager to also work on projects with the students from MUBAS, as everyone has been super kind and motivated. This summer, I hope to develop a project combining hardware with software, as I am interested in learning about the cohesive development of medical devices. As someone with little experience with hardware but a decent amount of exposure to software, it will be an excellent opportunity to learn from students in Malawi and expand my skill set.

After multiple long flights, we arrived in Malawi yesterday around noon. In our first two days here, it has been great to explore different markets and meet the amazing people we will be working with this summer. Before this trip, my family was fortunate enough to find a contact in Malawi, so Katie and I could also meet with him today. He runs a school called Bedir, which is 5 minutes away from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Having someone like him as a contact point is such a blessing. Next week, since it is Eid (an Islamic holiday), I plan to go and distribute food with him in some villages around Blantyre. I am excited to meet and speak with some of the high school students at his school, who have aspirations of studying college abroad in Europe and other countries.

As someone who enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures, I am excited to share food with, build connections with, and learn from more people. Whenever I travel, I find myself in awe of how vast and beautiful our world is. I cannot wait to learn more about Malawi and myself through this trip. I plan to reflect deeply on my experiences here and bring what I have learned back to the US. Specifically, learning more Chichewa before I leave will be great!

Looking forward to these next two months. Thanks for reading!