Symposium highlights international experiences

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A. Sue Weisler

Cristina Guzman-Moumtiz, a second-year double major in biomedical engineering and biotechnology and molecular bioscience from New York City, showcased her three-week trip to Guatemala for her Engineering World Health course at the Global Learning Symposium on April 5.

When a hospital in Mazatenango, Guatemala, faced a backup on surgeries due to broken medical equipment this spring, Rochester Institute of Technology students including Cristina Guzman-Moumtiz came to the rescue. She helped diagnose and repair about 30 pieces of hospital equipment including electrosurgical units over a three-week trip to Guatemala for her Engineering World Health course. This project was one of 13 on display at the fourth annual Global Learning Symposium on April 5.

The event, which took place in the University Gallery, highlighted RIT students’ study, research and work abroad achievements throughout the academic year. More than 400 RIT students engage in global learning experiences each year, often aided by study abroad scholarships and international fellowships.

Guzman-Moumtiz, a tinkerer by nature who is always looking for ways to apply her engineering skills, was thrilled to have an opportunity to gain college credit while doing philanthropic work.

“When I was still in high school, I wanted to fix things,” said the second-year double major in biomedical engineering and biotechnology and molecular bioscience from New York City. “I would grab anything I could fix—broken TVs or broken fans thrown on the street—and I would bring them home, hang out in my room and repair them. Being able to do a step above and actually repair hospital equipment was just fantastic.”

Some of the other study abroad exhibits on display at the Global Learning Symposium included:

• Fourth-year students John Keefe (new media design) and Reuben Van Hoeve (film and animation) showcased their experience in the RIT Kosovo summer program in peacebuilding, post-conflict resolution and development. The program focuses the history, politics and economics of conflict situations in an environment that serves as a living example of the subject.
• A cross-disciplinary team of students led by interior design program chair and Assistant Professor Mary Golden demonstrated capstone projects focused on healthcare improvements for Honduras. Some of the products developed following a research trip to the country in October included an intra-hospital neonatal ambulance, an emergency incubator resuscitation kit and a skin-to-skin incubation device.