Sudbury Resident Jacob Maalouf, Member of India 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 first runner-up for the President's IQP Award for participating in a project titled "Improving Healthcare Coordination in the Mandi District". Jacob Maalouf of Sudbury, Mass., a member of the class of 2017, was a member of this team.

The students looked at rural healthcare workers in the Mandi District of India, who face unique challenges in providing quality care due to mountainous terrain and lack of supplies. The project evaluated the existing system of communication among health centers and identified areas in which the system could be improved to mitigate the effects posed by the challenges. The team recommended a new system for medical stock requests and deliveries that could shorten delays by up to 15 days, and ultimately improve the quality of care for patients.

"It was especially impressive that this team prototyped a tech solution to a real social challenge in the healthcare system," Leshin said of the India team.

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.