CR
Conrad Ruiz
  • biomedical engineering
  • Class of 2018
  • Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Coral Gables Resident Conrad Ruiz, Member of Australia Project Team, Honored in President's IQP Awards

2017 Mar 24

A team of undergraduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) were recently recognized as the second runner-up for the President's IQP Award for participating in a project titled "Preventing Violence Against Women: Training Resources to Empower the Broadmeadows Community." Conrad Ruiz of Coral Gables, Fla., a member of the class of 2017, was a member of this team.

The students examined the underlying causes of violence against women in a community in an area of Melbourne, Australia, and developed an educational program on gender equality and respectful relations, and a training program on violence against women and bystander action for students.

"The cultural sensitivity around a challenging issue was incredibly important," Leshin said. "The work this team did clearly had an impact on them. Longer term, their work will also have a positive impact on the trajectory of that community as well."

Leshin also noted the difficulty in selecting top teams in this year's competition. "The judges were impressed at the level of engagement, the hard work these amazing team were engaged in, and the passion they displayed. Each project is as different as the teams themselves, and they're all quite compelling."

The IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project), is one of two major projects required of WPI undergraduates. IQPs enable students to pursue hands-on, real-world research opportunities all over the world. Working in teams under the guidance of faculty advisors, students conduct their research either locally or at one of more than 40 WPI-sponsored global project centers to address--and solve--real problems that lie at the interface of science, technology, social issues, and human needs. Students who complete their IQPs at project centers address local issues, develop an understanding of other cultures, and see how their lives and work will play out on a global stage.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. WPI's talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Projects Program. There are more than 40 WPI project centers throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.