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Project Protect Spring 2021

Joselyn Vasquez-Team Member

Joselyn Vasquez is a first year student pursuing a B.A. in Public Health with an interest in Epidemiology. As a team member of the Project Protect Service Learning team. Project Protect’s goal is to give middle aged women access to mental health services. Through this project, Vasquez hopes to learn how to develop a program that is helpful to the community in terms of giving them better access to certain services. In the future, Vasquez plans to work in a career that will allow her to deliver medical care services to those who don’t have access to it.

Barbara G. Uribe Montes

Barbara G. Uribe Montes is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. Computer Science and Engineering. As a team member on the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team, Uribe is helping to develop an web application to help identify possible effects for later in life individuals experiencing long-term isolation. Through this project, Uribe hopes to help gain more experience in the creation of an web application and hopes this project will help improve the quality of life of someone in isolation. After graduation, Uribe hopes to pursue a career in software engineering to continue developing software that can help improve daily life.

Ralph Trejo–Team Member

Ralph Trejo is currently a third-year student pursuing a B.S in Computer Science and Engineering. Trejo is a team member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning Team, where he will apply the technical skills that he has developed during his years of education. Trejo’s past involvement with Engineering Service Learning has inspired him to give back to his community in Merced. Working with Healthy House will allow Trejo to utilize and further develop his technical skills while giving back to his community. In the future, Trejo strives to have a career in cybersecurity or software programming.

Guadalupe Singh–Communication Officer

Guadalupe Singh is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Systems a member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. Singh joined the project to get involved with helping the community with solutions to long-term effects of isolation through technology. Through this project, Singh plans to gain valuable skills for her professional development. Academically, Singh is interested in researching alternative waste water treatment solutions to promote water conservation and water quality in rural communities. After graduation, Singh plans to pursue a career that involves her passions for the environment and community involvement.

Joshua M. Phelps –Team Member

Joshua M. Phelps is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering and a team member of the Project Protect Engineering Service Learning team. Being part of this project provides him a meaningful opportunity to utilize his skills in software engineering to assist in the development of a system that aids elderly women in reestablishing community connections. Phelps is interested in software engineering and in the past has worked on a 1MW off grid solar panel system with a backup battery for the community of Lemon Cove, CA. He hopes to utilize this prior experience to develop an adequate system to support elderly women in Merced County.

Francisco Lira –Team Member

Francisco Lira is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering with a minor in applied mathematics. Lira is interested in IOS Development and Machine learning within computer science. He has been working on some personal coding projects that help him discover new skills that will enhance his knowledge. Living in the Silicon Valley has inspired him to study Computer Science and Engineering. Seeing the lack of diversity in the industry especially motivated him to be a role model for others and to one day help balance and increase diversity in the STEM fields.

Sawyer Ingersoll -Project Manager

Sawyer Ingersoll is a fourth-year student pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering.Ingersoll is passionate about his studies and eager to improve humanity’s relationship with the environment. Inersoll has previously worked with Engineering Service Learning and is eager to apply the methodology he learned in a new project. Professionally, Ingersoll is interested in water purification and hopes to work for a city. Water is an essential resource for all life as we know it, so it’s important to utilize it effectively.

Katherine Deras

Katherine Deras is a first-year student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. As a team member of the Isolation Project Team for Engineering Service Learning, she will be working to develop a system to provide minorities with connections to community healthcare resources. Deras enjoys being able to work in a diverse environment so that there are a variety of ideas shared to create the best product through teamwork. Deras plans on using the skills she learns on this project for situations.

Jeannette Adame –Safety Officer

Jeannette Adame is a first year Psychology student focusing on psychological therapy. Adame is a Human Resource Specialist in the Army Reserves. She is also certified through the Design and Technology Academy for the subject of Computer Science and Digital Media. Additionally, she has interned with PG&E. This is where she learned the importance of sustainability and safety hazards. The isolation project was chosen due to her interest with computer science and helping others. Her professional goals are to mentor and counsel individuals in incarceration and military settings. She is currently learning fundamental skills as a Behavior Therapist for children with mental health disorders.