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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. |