Executive Board

M. Bernardine Dias, Founding Director, is a faculty member in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, with research experience in technology education, multi-robot coordination, automated navigation, and innovative sensing. Her administrative responsibilities include building and overseeing collaborative outreach efforts between Carnegie Mellon University and developing communities around the world. Dr. Dias is a native of Sri Lanka. Her long-term career goal is innovating means of developing and disseminating suitable and sustainable technology for empowering developing communities.

Joseph S. Mertz, jr., TechBridgeWorld Associate Director, is an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Computer Science and in the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teaching interests are in courses and projects that make students aware of community development challenges while teaching strategies and methods to use information and communication technologies to address those challenges. He directs the Technology Consulting in the Global Community program, which sends university students abroad as technology consultants with government ministries and non-profit organizations in developing communities.

Rahul Tongia, Associate Director, is a Senior Systems Scientist in the School of Computer Science (ISRI), and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Tongia is interested in issues of infrastructure in emerging economies, especially the role of technology choices for improving deployment and penetration. Using quantitative policy and decision analysis, he has focused on the information technology (IT), telecom, and energy domains. In addition to engineering-economic analyses, his work also deals with broader policy issues such as security, international collaboration, and technology analysis and transfer. A prime area of activity involves the use of IT for human development. He recently completed a book on research issues for using information and communications technology (ICT) for sustainable development.

Sarah M. Belousov, Project Assistant, is based in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. Her primary responsibilities involve logistical coordination and administrative duties in support of extending the activities of the TechBridgeWorld program at Carnegie Mellon University’s campuses in Doha and Pittsburgh. She earned her bachelor's degree in international studies and French at Johns Hopkins University and l’Institut d’Études Politiques in Paris. Prior to joining TechBridgeWorld, Ms. Belousov worked at the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and participated with the Leadership Development Initiative, a program of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. She is currently conducting her master's degree part-time at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

M. Freddie Dias, Research Engineer, is based in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. He assists with robotics research in the Field Robotics Center, supporting projects related to multi-robot coordination. He also serves as a technical consultant for projects related to technology and development under the TechBridgeWorld initiative. His work in both categories bridges Carnegie Mellon University’s campuses in Doha and Pittsburgh. Originally from Sri Lanka, he graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a double major in physics and computer science.

G. Ayorkor Mills-Tettey, TechBridgeWorld Student Representative, is a Ph.D. candidate in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. Her interests and research activities include robotics path planning, teaching, and understanding the synergies between technology and education, especially in developing communities. A native of Ghana, Ms. Mills-Tettey attended Dartmouth College from which she graduated with degrees in computer science and engineering. She has recent teaching experience and curriculum development at Ashesi University in Accra, Ghana and is also a 2006 Google Anita Borg Scholarship recipient. In her role as a TechBridgeWorld student representative, she is responsible for liaising with other students and participating actively in the development of new and existing TechBridgeWorld programs.