WINTER 2014
Berkeley in the fall of 2014. Development
Engineering, he argues, is different from
traditional engineering in that the field aims
to re-center technical issues, like clean
water provision, within the larger contexts of
political economy and society.
“Introducing non-technical elements in
my engineering training was really difficult
at first, but I saw it as necessary,” said Ali.
“Working with non-engineers was confusing
initially, because I didn’t quite understand
their language,” he continued, “but there was
something important there that I needed to
understand. It challenged me to go beyond
my own technical lens and learn to see from
perspectives of new fields.
“Working across disciplinary divides requires
intellectual humility. But it’s given me ideas
about how we can use technical solutions to
address development challenges in solidarity
with the people we aim to help.”
New Faces at DIL
Kevin Audi – DIL Research Manager
Kevin Audi supports DIL’s research activities, including the launch of the new Development Engineering
journal. In addition to his work with DIL, he serves as a Research Associate at CEGA, where he manages
the Kenya Life Panel Survey (KLPS), a long-term follow up of participants from three prior randomized
evaluations, and provides support for REPP. Prior to joining CEGA, he worked with Innovations for Poverty
Action in Kenya coordinating field activities for KLPS. Kevin holds a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley.
Adrienne Chuck – HESN Coordinator (MPP ’16)
Adrienne Chuck is a Graduate Student Researcher for Big Ideas@Berkeley, where she coordinates outreach
and collaboration across the Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). She also manages the Blind Spots
in International Development Essay Contest. Adrienne is a first year Master of Public Policy student at the
Goldman School and previously received a B.A. in African Studies from Middlebury College. Over the past few
years, she worked in Washington, DC on U.S. foreign policy towards Africa at the Atlantic Council, and issues
of governance and anti-corruption at the World Bank.
Asim Fayaz – DIL Idea Team (MDP ’16)
Asim Fayaz is a first year graduate student in the Masters in Development Practice program and a member
of the DIL Idea Team. He is interested in the use of ICT for problem solving, especially in in developing
countries. Prior to attending UCB, Asim served as the Founding Director of the Technology for the People
Initiative, a nonprofit applied research and design centre in Pakistan that designed tech-driven solutions
for the public sector. He has also worked as a consultant for various organizations, including World Bank
Pakistan, CIDA and IGC. He is from Lahore, Pakistan, and holds a B.S. in Computer Science from LUMS.
Sophi Martin – DIL Associate Director, Institutional Relations
Sophi Martin serves as the Associate Director of Institutional Relations where she builds and maintains
relationships with external stakeholders – companies, practitioners, and organizations looking to partner
with DIL. Previously, Sophi worked for the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign in corporate relations and research administration. Sophi holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and
Engineering and a B.S. in Engineerin