Student Backgrounds
African Innovation was developed by seven passionate and driven students at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania and Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. Through their research and dedication, each played a vital part in developing this organization. We thank them for their hard work.
Peter Kovacs - Corvinus University
Veronika Kukovacec - Corvinus University
Veronika is a pre-graduate student at Corvinus University of Budapest, with a minor in Management, specializing in Small Businesses. She became involved in the African Innovation project due to her participation in the International Entrepreneurship course in the University. She believes in the success of African Innovation, and hopes it will make great impact on the lives of the people living in the region.
Veronika is interested in development of self-sustainable, socially responsible businesses since according to her beliefs the future of the world’s economy lies in that kind of enterprises.
Veronika is interested in development of self-sustainable, socially responsible businesses since according to her beliefs the future of the world’s economy lies in that kind of enterprises.
Carlye Lauff - Pennsylvania State University
Carlye is a junior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Engineering Leadership Development (ELDM) at The Pennsylvania State University. She became involved in the African Innovation project through a course in the ELDM. She chose to become involved in the minor so that she can grow as a leader in engineering, while having an impact on the world. She feels as if African Innovation encompasses these goals.
In her spare time, Carlye can be found working with the Engineering Ambassadors to spread the word on how engineers improve the health, happiness and safety of the world. She is also on the executive board for the Society of Women Engineering, Women Engineering Program, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. And you might see her cycling or running around campus with the Triathlon Team.
She has interned in many locations around the country and looks forward to expanding her outlook on the world through traveling to Budapest and Morocco in the minor. She also hopes to continue working closely with this project through the rest of her time at Penn State and eventually travel around the Horn of Africa to see first hand how to implement all of the projects.
In her spare time, Carlye can be found working with the Engineering Ambassadors to spread the word on how engineers improve the health, happiness and safety of the world. She is also on the executive board for the Society of Women Engineering, Women Engineering Program, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. And you might see her cycling or running around campus with the Triathlon Team.
She has interned in many locations around the country and looks forward to expanding her outlook on the world through traveling to Budapest and Morocco in the minor. She also hopes to continue working closely with this project through the rest of her time at Penn State and eventually travel around the Horn of Africa to see first hand how to implement all of the projects.
Kelly Newburg - Pennsylvania State University
Kelly is a junior majoring in Public Relations with minors in Business and the Liberal Arts and Engineering Leadership Development.
Kelly was first introduced to African Innovation through a required course for her Engineering Leadership Development Minor at Penn State. Due to her passion for issues revolving poverty in developing countries, she believed this would be a beneficial and learning experience to help create a unique and innovative organization. It is her hope to see African Innovation continue to grow and develop in the coming years.
In the future, Kelly hopes to work in the non-profit sector as a communications professional. She is looking to work in a non-profit organization that focuses on humanitarian aid in under developed countries or sustainability. Her largest passion is making an impact on the water crisis.
Kelly was first introduced to African Innovation through a required course for her Engineering Leadership Development Minor at Penn State. Due to her passion for issues revolving poverty in developing countries, she believed this would be a beneficial and learning experience to help create a unique and innovative organization. It is her hope to see African Innovation continue to grow and develop in the coming years.
In the future, Kelly hopes to work in the non-profit sector as a communications professional. She is looking to work in a non-profit organization that focuses on humanitarian aid in under developed countries or sustainability. Her largest passion is making an impact on the water crisis.
Carly Seneca - Pennsylvania State University
Carly is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Engineering Leadership Development at Penn State University. She became involved with African Innovation through an International Leadership course for the Engineering Leadership Development minor, and chose to work on this project because she really wants to make an impact on the developing world.
After graduating from Penn State, Carly hopes to pursue a graduate degree, and ultimately work for a company that will further improve the developing world. She is passionate about dancing, and hopes to travel as much as possible to experience different cultures and learn about different places in the world.
After graduating from Penn State, Carly hopes to pursue a graduate degree, and ultimately work for a company that will further improve the developing world. She is passionate about dancing, and hopes to travel as much as possible to experience different cultures and learn about different places in the world.
Alex Thomson - Pennsylvania State University
Alex is a fourth-year student majoring in Engineering Science, with minors in Engineering Entrepreneurship, Engineering Leadership Development and Product Realization.
As part of one of the courses for the Engineering Leadership Development minor, Alex chose to work on the African Innovation project in order to explore his interest in the design process, how students go about understanding it and its impact in the development of sustainable and culturally-conscious solutions. He hopes that African Innovation will help catalyze the creation of similar programs both within and outside of the United States.
After Penn State, Alex plans to continue on to graduate school in the field of Engineering Design, hopefully one day going into academia and becoming a professor.
As part of one of the courses for the Engineering Leadership Development minor, Alex chose to work on the African Innovation project in order to explore his interest in the design process, how students go about understanding it and its impact in the development of sustainable and culturally-conscious solutions. He hopes that African Innovation will help catalyze the creation of similar programs both within and outside of the United States.
After Penn State, Alex plans to continue on to graduate school in the field of Engineering Design, hopefully one day going into academia and becoming a professor.
Mark Uhrin - Corvinus University
Mark is a senior student at Corvinus University of Budapest, currently on his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, minoring in Entrepreneurship. He became involved in the project, through the International Entrepreneurship course. He holds the belief, that the African Innovation project, will make a significant impact on the people of the region, and help the growth of the students.
Mark's main interests lie in Finance and Banking, but he is also interested in the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility and social businesses, because sustainability is the next big question in the further growth of our world.
Mark's main interests lie in Finance and Banking, but he is also interested in the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility and social businesses, because sustainability is the next big question in the further growth of our world.