JM
Jena Mazzucco
  • chemical engineering
  • Class of 2017
  • Danbury, Conn.

Danbury Resident Jena Mazzucco, Member of New Zealand Project Team Honored with First Place in President's IQP Awards

2017 Mar 24

A team of undergraduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) were recently selected from more than 60 team entries for first place in the President's IQP Awards. Their project, "Stakeholder Study: Resource Management of Wairarapa Moana" took place at the Wellington, New Zealand, project center. Jena Mazzucco of Danbury, Conn., a member of the class of 2017, worked with the team to investigate the complex issues relating to the management of a New Zealand lake.

The project aided the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) in collecting opinions from five stakeholder groups concerning management of the naturally flooding Lake Wairarapa. The team conducted a total of 29 interviews with the Rangitane (Maori) Department of Conservation, South Wairarapa District Council, landowners, and recreational water users regarding barrage gates that play a vital role in flood management. Interviews with stakeholders indicated that water quality, sources of pollution, water levels, flood management, and future operation of the barrage gates are controversial. The team identified communication, collaboration, and education as three areas of focus for the GWRC as it continues to improve management of the region.

President Laurie Leshin commended the students on this winning team for "dealing with a culturally challenging issue in a way that showed incredible maturity."

Leshin also noted the difficulty in selecting a top team in this year's competition. "The judges were impressed at the level of engagement, the hard work this amazing team was 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.