Over the past week, my fellow interns and I have been preparing devices and researching supplies to take along for our respective projects. In three weeks, I am headed to Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) in Tanzania. Over this time, we have been assigned four tasks: setting up a design kitchen similar to the OEDK at Rice, conducting interviews about three Rice 360˚ devices, identifying medical needs that might be addressed by engineers at Rice and DIT, and finding and completing an intern-identified project. All of these tasks come with unique challenges.

One of the three Rice 360˚ technologies we are taking is OxyMon, a continuous oxygen monitor intended to identify the state of oxygen concentrators and relay this information clearly to clinicians. I was on the team responsible for developing this device during the semester, so I have mostly been working to prepare this device to be taken abroad over the past week. At the advice of several mentors, we have been designing a version that is intended more as a diagnostic tool for technicians than as a continuous monitor; this includes making changes like displaying flow and temperature alongside concentration and adjusting the device so it is more comfortable as a handheld. I am extremely excited to gain feedback on this device from clinicians in a setting where it could be very useful.

The goal of setting up a design kitchen has also been a major focus for myself and the other Tanzania intern, Aarohi. One of the important goals of the global health program at Rice is to give local engineers the prototyping tools they need to take on design projects. One challenge that we anticipate in setting up a space like this is getting the word out that it is available. In order to encourage people to utilize it fully, Aarohi and I have discussed organizing a design challenge or hackathon to increase knowledge of the tools available. More specifics on the tools available in the design space will be provided in future blogs.

Another challenge that we have in Tanzania is identifying clinical environments for observation and interviews regarding the Rice medical technologies. Because we are only the second class of interns being sent to DIT, the connections are not as available as they are in Malawi. I look forward to this challenge as an opportunity to get out into the area and potentially explore different clinical environments.

While I find myself focusing on the challenges we will face, it is important to remember that where there is a challenge, there is also an opportunity. This summer will be full of opportunities not just for the achievement of our goals, but for my personal growth as an engineer. With that in mind, I look forward with excitement and anticipation.