Teams '23
ImpACCt 2023 Student Teams
Intro to Team Structure
Students from each university enroll in a special learning /independent course at their home institution. Over the years, the founding faculty of DFI have fine tuned a structural pedagogy that is hybrid in nature and yielding rich experiential outcomes. It begins with all participating students meeting in-person to kick-off the semester, meet their teammates and understand the project details. This is followed by meeting weekly online as a large group for a design studio lectures and critique sessions with leadership faculty from all four institutions serving as principal reviewers. Students are instructed in creative design-driven thinking processes, principles of interdisciplinary teamwork, and interdisciplinary project management. The students meet for a second time in person in the middle of the semester to share, iterate and refine their design directions. The semester culminates with a final in-person summit where students gather to present their solutions to a jury of faculty.
Team 1: Door Key
Sam Neglia (BC)
Peter Coquillette (BC)
Johanna Hilmes (Clemson)
Abhinav Vemuri (Virginia Tech)
Lindsey Dotston (NC State)
Team 2: Triple Threat
Annabel Lee (BC)
Dylan Kim (BC)
Angela Kraus (Clemson)
Allison Soberon (Virginia Tech)
Shruti Gandhi (NC State)
Team 3: Square One
Brody Whetzel (BC)
Lily Steele (BC)
Marina Ataalla (Clemson)
Jabria Oliver (NC State)
Nhi Vu (NC State)
Team 4: Happiness
Valentina Berthin (BC)
Anastasia Coclin (BC)
Ryan Herron (Clemson)
Grace Reback (Virginia Tech)
Owen Snape (NC State)
Team 5: Wingspan
Eunice Lee (BC)
Peri Durbin (BC)
Austin Lemere (Clemson)
Jack Staul (Virginia Tech)
JD Harris (NC State)
Team 6: Cross Stitch
Sarah Yates (BC)
Carter Frato-Sweeney (BC)
Clare Strasser (BC)
Katherine Harland (Clemson)
Jaxon Buck (NC State)
Team 7: Q&As
Caroline Lay (BC)
Kathryn Mattocks (BC)
Erica Behm (Clemson)
Emmett Hanold (NC State)
Jackson Comer (Virginia Tech)
Team 1: Door Key
Sam Neglia
Applied Psychology & Human Development
I am from Newport Beach, California. I am a senior here at Boston College studying Applied Psychology and Human Development. I have minors in Business Management and Design & Innovation.
Peter Coquillette
Business Analytics
My name is Peter Coquillette and I am a sophomore studying Business Analytics in the Boston College Carroll School of Management. I am from Bronxville, NY. One thing that excites me is reading books.
Johanna Hilmes
Architecture
I am a graduate student at Clemson University working toward a Master of Architecture. I am from Claremore, Oklahoma and later attended the University of Oklahoma to receive a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design.
Abhinav Vemuri
Computer Science - Machine Learning
Abhinav Vemuri is currently a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Machine Learning. He also plans on minoring in Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Math.
Lindsey Dotston
Industrial Design
I am currently pursing my masters in industrial design at NC state. I am excited to see everyone come together to create amazing products that could change the world
Key Connections
Our product is a starter kit given to individuals upon release from prison. It is designed to reduce the stress that comes with obtaining the necessary resources and documentation to begin employment by seamlessly connecting incarcerated individuals with the resources necessary to be successful in post-incarcerated life.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 2: Triple Threat
Annabel Lee
Applied Psychology, Communications
I'm currently a Junior at Boston College. Nationality-wise, I'm Singaporean, but home for me is Suzhou, China. I am excited to finally put together the moving pieces of our team's design journey and am looking forward to seeing the designs and narratives of the other teams :)
Dylan Kim
Computer Science
Dylan is a sophomore at Boston College, majoring in Computer Science and Transformative Education. Notably, he is the youngest Global Shaper in the Boston hub of the World Economic Forum.
Angela Kraus
Architecture
I am from Phoenix, Arizona, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in architecture at Clemson University.
Allison Soberon
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hi! I'm Allison, and I'm from Northern Virginia. I’m a junior studying Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. I’ve always had a passion for technology and design, so being a part of this has been an amazing experience.
Shruti Gandhi
Industrial Design
Hi! I'm Shruti Gandhi from Cary NC, an industrial design graduate student at NC State University with a fervor for forging innovative design solutions that enrich people's lives.
Moment
Moment is a compatible waterproof suit designed to equip individuals in flood-prone zones with the necessary protection that will bring them and loved ones into safety during times of crisis.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 3: Square One
Brody Whetzel
Transformative Educational Studies
Hello! I'm a sophomore at Boston College (originally from Salem, OR) and am majoring in Transformative Educational Studies with minors in Management & Leadership & Managing For Social Impact.
Lily Steele
Applied Psychology & Human Development
I am a senior at Boston College studying Applied Psychology and Human Development with a focus in the science of learning, and a minor in Management for Social Impact.
Marina Ataalla
Architecture
Hello! I am currently a graduate student pursuing Architecture at Clemson University. I received my undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a Sustainability minor.
Jabria Oliver
Industrial Design
Hello there! I'm from Chapel Hill, NC, and I'm a first year Graduate student studying Industrial Design at NC State.
Nhi Vu
Industrial Design
My name is Nhi Vu and I am from Vietnam. I am currently pursuing Industrial Design at the graduate level at NC State.
ActiveStride Fitness Walker
The ActiveStride Fitness Walker is an innovative mobility device designed to promote mental and physical exercise, providing stimulation and support for individuals with mobility impairments, helping them lead a long and healthy life.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 4: Happiness
Valentina Berthin
Transformative Educational Studies
Hi! My name is Valentina Berthin. I am from La Paz, Bolivia, and am currently majoring in Transformative Educational Studies at Boston College. My experience with DFI so far has been wonderful. I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting and collaborating with people from different educational backgrounds to create a potential positive impact in our society.
Anastasi Coclin
Applied Psychology & Human Development
My name is Anastasia Coclin and I am from Cranston, Rhode Island. I am a junior at the Lynch School of Education majoring in Applied Psychology and Human Development, with minors in General Business and Communication, and a Concentration in Special Education.
Ryan Herron
Architecture
My name is Ryan Herron, I am from Greenville, SC, I am a senior architecture major at Clemson University. I am excited to see our team's completed project. So far we have been working on a modular gardening setup for first year students in dorms.
Grace Reback
Computational Modeling and Data Analytics
I am a senior from Vienna, VA, studying Computational Modeling and Data Analytics, as well as Human-Computer Interaction. I am passionate about UX design and constantly strive to find better design solutions by listening to users' needs.
Owen Snape
Industrial Design
I'm a senior majoring in Industrial Design at NC State, originally from the Atlanta area.
RootEd
Our design is a hexagonal gardening unit. Within our unit first-year college students can grow a variety of herbs and flowers. Some suggested herbs are rosemary and sage. Our system utilizes a bottom watering system to allow for less maintenance and prolonged inattention. The kit will include an informational guide for plant care as well.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 5: Wingspan
Eunice Lee
Secondary Education, English
Eunice is a junior from Boston College, studying Secondary Education, English, and Cyber Strategy and Design.
Peri Durbin
Applied Psychology & Human Development
My name is Peri Durbin and I am from San Jose California. I am a sophomore at Boston College studying Applied Psychology with minors in Management and Leadership and Women and Gender Studies.
Austin Lemere
Architecture
I am from Frederick, Maryland. I am a graduate student at Clemson University in my final year of study to receive my Master of Architecture degree.
Jack Staul
General Engineering
Hi, my name is Jack Staul and I am a sophomore pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. I am originally from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
JD Harris
Industrial Design
Hi, I'm JD. I’m a graduate student studying industrial design. I studied chemistry and biology as an undergrad and worked in healthcare and medical research before coming back to school.
Flock
Flock is versatile, all-inclusive table designed to support cooperative cooking and dining experience. The table features a food prep area, stovetop, and oven, as well as storage space for essential cookware and utensils. In addition to minimizing its footprint and material cost, the table’s layout is designed to promote cooperation and communication between cooks.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 6: Cross Stitch
Sarah Yates
Applied Psychology & Human Development
My name is Sarah Yates and I am from Los Angeles, California. I am a freshman at Boston College majoring in Applied Psychology and Human Development.
Carter Frato-Sweeney
Applied Psychology & Human Development
I’m a sophomore from Hiram, OH, studying Applied Psychology & Human Development at Boston College.
Clare Strasser
Applied Psychology, Transformative Education
I'm a sophomore from South Orange New Jersey studying Applied Psychology and Transformative Education.
Katherine Harland
Architecture
Katherine is a senior at Clemson, University, majoring in Architecture and double minoring in Music and Mathematical Sciences. She is originally from Jacksonville, FL.
Jaxon Buck
Industrial Design
Hello! I am a second year graduate student in Industrial Design at NC State originally from Durham, NC. I have an undergraduate degree in English, also from NC State.
Haven
Haven combines architectural sculpture and interpersonal relationships to create a safe space and community for youth displaced from their homes. The sculpture is a customizable, interactive, and growing construction made from interconnected cellulosic triangles, where migrant youth can meet with mentors and express their individuality.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final
Team 7: Quintessential Accomodators
Caroline Lay
Applied Psychology & Human Development
I am currently a senior at Boston College from Washington DC studying Applied Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Management and Leadership.
Kathryn Mattocks
Applied Psychology & Human Development
I am currently a sophomore at Boston College from Hudson Massachusetts. I am studying Applied Psychology and Human Development with a Special Education Concentration.
Erica Behm
Architecture
I am from Grand Haven, MI. I went to the university of Michigan for my bachelors of science in architecture and am now perusing my master of architecture at Clemson.
Emmett Hanold
Industrial Design
I'm from Peoria, Illinois. I'm a Industrial Design second year grad student.
Jackson Comer
General Engineering
Having participated in every semester of the impACCt design challenge, I have gotten to see how we all can contribute to design thinking with our different backgrounds.
Cognitive Kitchen
The Cognitive Kitchen aims to maintain and prolong the positive effects of cooking and collaboration for individuals with dementia and other cognitive limitations by increasing accessibility through open shelving, kitchen smart sensors and a tablet that understands the kitchen space as it exists. Cognitive Kitchens hopes to universalize the way kitchens are built in the future.
Concept
Process
Prototype
Final