Inspiring the Next Generation of Humanitarian Engineers
Last week, Design Outreach (DO) connected with engineering students at The Ohio State University to demonstrate how engineering can be used to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Students had the opportunity to learn more about two DO technologies—LifePump™ and KupolaCare™ Wound Therapy—and explore how these engineering solutions are being used to improve lives around the world.
The October 7 event, hosted by DO, was held in the Impact Engineering Lab at Ohio State University’s new Engineering Research and Education Laboratories (EREL). It brought together students from several humanitarian-focused engineering groups, including Engineers Without Borders, Engineers for a Sustainable World, and Humanitarian Engineering Scholars.
DO’s relationship with Ohio State’s College of Engineering reflects a shared interest in connecting engineering expertise with meaningful, real-world impact. Supporting the new EREL facility—and being represented on its donor wall—was an opportunity for DO to introduce more engineering students to our work and help them envision how their skills could be used to improve lives.
Nathan Stoltzfus, DO senior field engineer and a two-time Ohio State engineering graduate, played a key role in coordinating and leading the evening. Nathan earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering at Ohio State. Today, he helps test and implement technologies designed to serve communities living in poverty.
“I really enjoyed coming back to campus to share with students a slice of the work at DO,” Nathan said. “It was great to catch the excitement, enthusiasm and interest of the students and to see them dive into LifePump, even helping to assemble a working pump.”
“Engineering is all about solving problems,” he said. “There is no problem bigger nor more important than the challenge of providing a way for everyone in the world to access clean water and basic medical care.”
Ben Stauffer, a DO project engineer and Ohio State alumnus, said he believes it’s important for engineering students to recognize how their technical skills can make a difference.
“Engineering students need to have the vision to see how their learned skills can make an impact, or they are in danger of adopting apathy towards excellence,” Ben said. “There are so many needs in the world that can be met with engineering, and by simply bringing awareness of the work already happening, we can spur each other on to passionately help those in need.”
