Empowering MIT Students to Innovate in Water and Food Systems Solutions

For over ten years, the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) has played a pivotal role in enhancing student engagement at MIT, addressing some of the most urgent challenges in global water and food systems. With a mission centered on ensuring the world’s water and food supply, J-WAFS focuses on nurturing future leaders in these sectors by promoting student involvement through diverse programs that offer research funding, mentorship, and various support mechanisms.

Empowering Student Research and Fellowships

J-WAFS provides numerous opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to participate in advancing water and food systems research. These initiatives include graduate fellowships, travel grants for conferences, funding for research projects in India, video competitions showcasing students’ innovative work, and support for student-led organizations tackling critical issues in these fields.

As J-WAFS embarks on its second decade, it remains committed to providing hands-on research experiences, networking opportunities, and a platform for students to devise collaborative and innovative solutions.

Fellowship Highlights and Innovative Projects

The J-WAFS graduate student fellowships program, initiated in 2017, includes the Rasikbhai L. Meswani Fellowship for Water Solutions, which offers doctoral support for research related to water needs. Funded by the Meswani family, this fellowship selects outstanding students each year to contribute to finding solutions for pressing global water challenges. Additionally, the J-WAFS Graduate Student Fellowship Program is supported through the J-WAFS Research Affiliate Program, allowing companies to collaborate on water and food research.

Aditya Avinash Ghodgaonkar, a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, reflects on how his J-WAFS fellowship significantly impacted his work on designing affordable drip irrigation systems for farmers. “The fellowship provided me with the flexibility and funding necessary to explore innovative avenues in clog-resistant irrigation design,” he states. This work has led to the development of energy-efficient, compact emitters that may soon be available for commercial use.

Linzixuan (Rhoda) Zhang, another J-WAFS fellow in Chemical Engineering, utilized her fellowship to innovate a micronutrient delivery system aimed at combating deficiencies affecting billions globally. By developing biodegradable polymers that stabilize essential vitamins like Vitamin A in challenging environments, Zhang’s research has garnered recognition, winning her accolades such as the 2024 Collegiate Inventors Competition.

Global Engagement and Collaborative Grants

J-WAFS India Grants are designed to support MIT researchers engaging with low-income communities in India. Eligible participants can apply for funding that facilitates direct engagement through travel and project implementation.

PhD students Gokul Sampath and Jonathan Bessette connected through J-WAFS and jointly developed a project addressing arsenic contamination in rural Indian water supplies. Their research involves creating low-cost sensors to gather data on water-fetching practices among women in these communities, aiming to fill significant gaps in understanding groundwater contamination.

In addition to research funding, J-WAFS supports students with travel grants to attend international water conferences. These grants help graduate students expand their knowledge and network within the water sector.

“J-WAFS continues to foster student-led innovations in the water and food sectors while building collaborative networks that empower future leaders.”

Catherine Lu and Daniela Morales, both recipients of J-WAFS travel grants, attended notable conferences where they engaged with experts and explored critical issues related to water management and public health. Their experiences at these events enriched their understanding of the global landscape of water challenges and enhanced their professional development.

J-WAFS also offers seed grants for early-stage research and Solutions Grants for projects poised for commercialization. Arjav Shah’s work on a hydrogel technology for water treatment exemplifies this support, leading to significant advancements in both research and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Community Engagement and Future Outlook

In recognition of World Water Day and World Food Day, J-WAFS has organized student video competitions that showcase innovative research conducted at MIT. Winning entries highlight groundbreaking technologies aimed at solving pressing issues like pesticide pollution and enhancing pump efficiency.

J-WAFS-backed student clubs facilitate networking and professional growth opportunities through initiatives centered around water and food systems. Collaborations with organizations like the MIT Water Club and Food and Agriculture Club enable students to engage in activism, organize events, and develop innovative solutions to industry challenges.

Looking ahead, J-WAFS is committed to fostering student-led innovations in the water and food sectors while building collaborative networks that empower future leaders. As it steps into its next decade, J-WAFS continues to support ambitious projects that seek sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing resource challenges.