Florence Hsiao, 2013, Molecular Biology

Florence Hsiao ’13

The overarching goal of my summer internship was to determine people’s access to ­potable water in the Kuria region of Kenya and to implement household water ­treatment systems as needed. During my time in Kuria, I conducted 60 household surveys and ­bacterial tests on drinking water in four neighboring villages. Through the surveys, I gained an understanding of how lack of access to potable water affects nearly all aspects of life, due to the constant recurrences of waterborne diseases such as typhoid. Moreover, my research indicated that there is a great need for an affordable water treatment solution such as the ceramic water filter. With the aid of the data I collected, I hope to continue my project and fulfill the second part of my goal by developing a sustainable solution. In addition to my research, I also helped install a rainwater collection system at a rural primary school.