Carene Umubyeyi was raised in Rwanda and was taught early on the importance education, community, and adaptability. She moved to Michigan at the age of 8 while her parents finished their graduate degrees. She had to learn a new language, and integrate into a new culture during that time. Although it was difficult to leave everything she loved and knew, her first experience in the United States shaped what she did in college.
Umubyeyi remembers fondly when her mom picked her up from school, then took her to the lab or the greenhouse to explain her research experiments. Both Umubyeyis parents survived the Rwandan Genocide and went on to study abroad in macroeconomics and agriculture before returning to Rwanda to continue their education.
My parents showed me what service-oriented career paths looked like. This has shaped my academic and professional interests. Umubyeyi, a senior studying civil engineering, says she is currently trying to figure out how she can use what she’s learning to serve others in a tangible way. She hopes to apply the knowledge she gained at MIT to educate others about sustainable building methods and structural design in Rwanda and other parts of Africa.
Umubyeyi interned at MIT before moving to the United States. She was introduced to sustainability in the built environment by Rwandan architects. She was exposed to the many ways construction methods and materials could be modified to reduce embodied carbon, while still using local, more affordable materials. She also credits her Rwandan high school teachers who encouraged her curiosity and helped her understand how things work.
As a first-year student at MIT she was still deciding on a major. She sought out every opportunity to explore her interests through undergraduate research opportunities. Her first UROP was at MIT D-Lab. It works with community partners around world to develop collaborative approaches for global poverty challenges. She recalls that she was drawn to the idea to apply what she had learned to help communities around the globe.
Eric Verploegen, D-Lab research engineer, and his group developed evaporating cool technology for farmers in remote areas that allows them to preserve and chill their produce for longer periods. Verploegen was her UROP for two years. She traveled to Kenya and Rwanda to meet with farmers and community partners. It was very valuable to learn how communities can be involved in the research process and to get their feedback. Also, it was important to understand their needs and challenges to help advance the work. Umubyeyi also collaborated with Susan Murcott (a D-Lab research environmental engineer), on a project that assessed the water and sanitation challenges in four rural cells in Rwanda’s Northern Province. The goal was to provide feasible water supply recommendations for partner institutions and municipal authorities.
She participated in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineerings Summer Research Program as she finished her first year. Materials in Art, Archaeology, and Architecture. This program is for undergraduates at MIT. It consists of three weeks of fieldwork in Italy. The goal of the program is to teach students how to improve infrastructure sustainability. John Ochsendorf was a professor of architecture, civil and environmental engineering. He spoke about his groups’ research on historical masonry structures, structural form-finding and construction methods that are sustainable and local. His lecture sparked her interest in civil engineering and reinforced her love for structural engineering, from the creative design aspect to the technical understanding that makes them behave.
She recalls being completely blown away when she attended the lecture. It was the first time her passions for architecture, structures, and global development came together. Ochsendorf inspired her to pursue two UROP projects and she considers him a mentor.
Umubyeyi’s favorite thing about MIT is her incredible fieldwork experiences and mentors in each of her UROPs. One piece of advice she remembers the upperclassmen giving her during her first year orientation was “Make sure you approach faculty and speak to them.” At the time, she thought that as a first year, I don’t know if it was possible to approach professors. As a senior, she would advise an incoming first year with the same advice. Participate in UROPs with mentors who are doing work that aligns to your goals. She says these experiences will help you shape your interests and mold them as you go.
Umubyeyi plans for graduate school to expand her knowledge in engineering and structures after she has graduated. She is even open to the idea that she might one day teach.
I have always appreciated the mentorship and guidance of great professors. I feel compelled to do the same for others, especially in Rwanda, she says. It would be great if I could contribute as both an educator or a practitioner. I am open to all opportunities that come my way.