Apr 22, 2009 - Claremont, Calif. - Harvey Mudd College (HMC) engineering major Lauryn Baranowski ‘09 has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship for one year of study in Singapore.

With plans to pursue a doctoral degree in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University following her Fulbright year, Baranowski will focus on the challenges of water sanitation in developing countries in Southeast Asia.

“This project is of special importance to me and to the scientific and world communities because water is one of our most precious resources,” Baranowski wrote in her project proposal. “Over a billion people in the world lack access to clean water, and over half of those people live in Asia.”

“The driving force behind my academic studies has been the potential of science and engineering to enact positive change in the world,” she added. “My engineering knowledge and research experience are powerful resources, and I believe that it is important for me to use these resources in the best way I can.”

Baranowski’s project will consist of two parts:

She will begin by performing a research project with Timothy White, head of the Division of Materials Science at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, which will focus on an affordable titanium dioxide material used to remove organic pollutants from water.

Following her research, Baranowski will explore the need for and generation of clean water on a broader level through volunteer work with a Singapore-based organization called the Lien Foundation, which works with students from Nanyang University to design water sanitation solutions for rural communities in neighboring countries like Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Baranowski hopes to work in both the design and implementation phases of one of the group’s projects.

Baranowski feels strongly about the global aspect of her work.

“I believe scientific research should be an international endeavor and that it is important to understand the international dynamics of the materials science community,” she wrote. “By undertaking research in Singapore, I can avail myself of the world-class research facilities offered by the Nanyang Technical University, and use my proximity to other Asian countries to further my understanding of water sanitation for developing communities.”

Established in 1946 and administered by the Institute of International Education, the Fulbright Program [http://www.iie.org//Content/NavigationMenu/Fulbright1/Fulbright_Program.htm] has provided nearly 300,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential—with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

“The Fulbright is one of the most prestigious of international fellowships, and fellowships are especially competitive in an English-speaking country like Singapore,” said William Alves, associate professor of music who serves as Fulbright coordinator at HMC. “The Fulbright Program was created by the U.S. State Department to help foster international understanding through an exchange of the world’s very best scholars, scientists and artists. Lauryn wonderfully fits that ideal in her commitment to bring technological benefits to people through cooperation and mutual understanding.”