MEET THE TEAM
สวัสดี (hello)! We are Projects with Underserved Communities (PUC) Team Thailand!
PUC is a humanitarian program at The University of Texas at Austin where students from the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work design, implement, and sustain a $22,000 project that directly impacts an underserved community.
We are a team of 12 committed students that are very eager to create a lasting impact on the Suphan Buri community of Thailand by utilizing our passions for engineering and social work!
2021 TEAM
Hey! I’m Lexine, a 4th year architectural engineering student from San Antonio, TX. On campus, I serve as the Corporate Liaison for the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) and I am also involved in the Filipino Student Association (FSA), where I have been able to get in touch with my Filipina roots through teaching cultural dances. I love learning about different cultures, whether it be the arts, language, or, most importantly, food! That being said, I’m excited to immerse myself in Thailand’s rich culture while working alongside my team and the Suphan Buri community to build a well-functioning kitchen!
LEXINE GABRITO
Project Manager (Fall 2020)
Architectural Engineering
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Hi! My name is William Zakka. I am a 3rd year Civil Engineering student and I am also pursuing a certificate in Humanitarian Engineering. I grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and moved to Austin for college. In my free time, I really enjoy board sports. Whether it’s on land, water, or snow, I am always looking for new ways to get a rush. I am thrilled to be a part of Team Thailand and I am looking forward to gaining some hands-on experience in the field of construction and project management in a humanitarian context. I can’t wait to see this project come to life and have a meaningful impact on the entire Bannonggo School community. Hook ‘em!
William zakka
Assistant Project & Risk Manager (Fall 2020)
Civil Engineering
Hello! My name is Connor, and I am a 4th year environmental engineering student pursuing a certificate in humanitarian engineering from Frisco, TX. I love to travel, experience different cultural perspectives and explore the outdoors whenever possible. When not on campus, you might find me climbing at the local crags or sending it on one of Austin's many mountain biking trails. On campus, I am a member of Texas Rock Climbing and conduct research related to how water and energy services differ between various communities within Austin. I love this work because it allows me to apply the knowledge I have gained throughout my years at UT to a tangible project that strives to ensure equity in the lives of others. I am extremely excited to be a part of Team Thailand and witness the positive impact that will accompany the implementation of this project!
connor chewning
Technical & Scope Manager (Fall 2020)
Environmental Engineering
Hi there! My name is Anahi Esparza, and I am a 4th year student pursuing a Bachelors in Social Work from Dallas, Texas. In my free time, I love to paint, try new foods, and explore new places! I love nature, so anything that involves being outside I am all up for it! I love traveling and experiencing different cultures from other areas of our beautiful world! The opportunity to work on a project for the community of Suphan Buri, Thailand, with my amazing team is something I am absolutely so excited for. I am so excited to be able to be apart of PUC and apply the skills I have learned in my classes as we partner with the Suphan Buri community. I know this experience will be so different from the experience I had studying abroad in South Africa, which is why I am so ready for this journey of working with the rest of Team Thailand to impact the lives of the students and teachers of the Bannonggo school! So, Thailand, here we come!
anahi esparza
Communications & Social Media Manager (Fall 2020)
Social Work
Hi! My name is Casey Ehrman and I am a 2nd year Environmental Engineering student from Frisco, Texas. I am passionate about serving others, and am pursuing a certificate in Humanitarian Engineering. Outside of school, I love spending time in nature. Some of my favorite outdoor activities are hiking, skiing, and paddleboarding! I also love to travel and learn about new cultures. I am so excited to be on Team Thailand this year, and am so grateful for this opportunity to learn more about the Suphan Buri community as well as gain experience in engineering and project development. I am looking forward to seeing the impact of this project on both our team and the Bannonggo School!
Casey ehrman
Fundraising and Procurement Manager (Fall 2020)
Environmental Engineering
2020 TEAM
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Last year's team did an incredible job of getting this project up and running. They chose the project, raised $15,000 and created much of the base design of the project. Unfortunately, given the current pandemic, the team was unable to implement the project in Summer 2020.
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We are here to pick up where they left off and ensure that the project sees implementation. Much of the team has expressed desire to implement the project Summer 2021, so you will likely be seeing more of them!
Hey! I’m Felicia, a 5th year in chemical engineering from Houston, TX (Go Astros!). Outside of PUC, I serve as president of Student Engineers Educating Kids (SEEK) and am involved in biomaterials research under Dr. Adrianne Rosales. In my free time, I like to crochet, boulder, social dance, and read! The last book I read was When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, which was a ten out of ten read. I’m excited to be a part of PUC because of the program’s emphasis on sustainability and community partnership. Once I graduate, I hope I can continue to do PUC type work.
felicia oentoro
Project Manager (Fall 2020)
Logistics & Design Manager (Spring 2020)
Hiii! I’m Insiyah! I'm a 4th year chemical engineering student from Katy, TX. My love for volunteering and traveling got me actively involved in Humanity First, a UT service organization. On Spring Break of 2018, I had an amazing experience traveling to Guatemala with HF, where we supplied and volunteered at a Cervical Cancer and Pediatric Care Clinic. Traveling opportunities like these always ground me by reminding me how blessed I am compared to most and has grown my passion to provide the basic necessities of accessible water and proper hygiene to all. That said, I am ecstatic about PUC, because turning my passion into practice is truly an unforgettable experience!
Insiyah sulemanji
Assistant Project & Fundraising Manager (Fall 2019)
Budget & Design Manager (Spring 2020)
Hi! My name is Howard, and I’m a 3rd year chemical engineering student from Sugar Land, TX. On campus, I am also the director of the AIChE Chem-E-Car program and involved in machine learning and human-computer interaction research with Dr. Edison Thomaz. I enjoy trying new foods (especially tacos!), hiking, working out, and convincing others to listen to my music. I am incredibly thrilled to be a part of Team Thailand to help deliver a well-functioning kitchen for those in need because everyone deserves the right to proper hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition.
Howard yong
Technical & Scope Manager (Fall 2019)
Technical & Transition Manager (Spring 2020)
Hello!! I’m a 4th year social work major from Midlothian, TX… but if you haven’t heard of it then I’m from Dallas! A few things you should know about me: I LOVE dogs, I have an annual Christmas card with my dog, Tubs, and I have encyclopedic knowledge of pointless facts, movies, and songs, so if you wanna know the actor that played in that one movie- I’m your girl. I have a passion for people and hope to pursue a career in international social work. We all inhabit the same planet, so it’s our job to take care of it and one another. I’m super excited to embark on this journey with my team and work with our NGOs and the Suphan Buri community in Thailand :)
Cheyenne castro
Communications & Fundraising Manager (Fall 2019)
Communications & Social Media Manager (Spring 2020)
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Hey! I’m Morgan, and I’m a 4th year mechanical engineering student from Sugar Land, TX. I always find myself getting into new hobbies and forming new interests. Whether it’s photography, painting, sailing, volleyball, or graphic design, the one consistency I’ve always had is my desire to use my educational opportunities to make a positive impact on the world around me. There is so much to learn from different cultures and communities, and I can’t wait to see our project up and running in Thailand!
Morgan blumenthal
Procurement Manager (Fall 2019)
Project Manager (Spring 2020)
vinay shah
Hi! I’m Vinay. I am a 4th year studying electrical and computer engineering. I grew up in India and moved here for college. Some of my pursuits outside of class are bouldering and slacklining! I love listening to new music and learning new dances. PUC was one of the first programs I heard about when I was looking into studying at UT, and I am so excited to finally be doing it. I can’t wait to eat some delicious Thai food when we’re there! By the way, you should totally add me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinay-shah-a9a29214b/​
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Budgeting & Logistics Manager (Fall 2019)
Procurement & Technical Manager (Spring 2020)
Hey, I’m Abby, and I am a 2nd year environmental engineering and Plan II student from Sugar Land, TX. When I’m not in class, I am serving as the vice president internal of Engineers for a Sustainable World and on the external outreach committee for Cockrell School Cares. In my free time, I love to boulder, hike, bake, and go thrifting at Goodwill. This summer, I interned in Calgary, Alberta, and I had the opportunity to hike in the Canadian Rockies every weekend, which was an amazing experience. I am so excited to be a part of Team Thailand this year because our project aligns perfectly with my career interests. I am passionate about water accessibility and waste water management, and I look forward to gaining hands on experience through this project.