Team Biographies:
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Tyler Rogers is one of the project managers of the Amazon WaSH Project. He wants to empower the Maijuna through building capacity towards living healthier. He believes that every person has the right to clean water and basic sanitation, and the Maijuna currently lack that right. “While the team teaches the Maijuna how to build biosand water filters and sanitation and hygiene techniques, the Maijuna teach us much more. My life has been forever enriched by the Maijuna.”
Mike Gilmore is an Associate Professor of Integrative Studies at New Century College (NCC) of George Mason University (GMU) and the faculty advisor of the Amazon WaSH Project at GMU. His research interests include ethnobiology, community-based conservation, biocultural diversity, and sustainable development. He has worked with the Maijuna and other indigenous groups of the Peruvian Amazon on a wide variety of community-based biocultural conservation projects since 1999. His passion is designing and implementing community-based, sustainable development projects that can help to improve the quality of life of the Maijuna.
Ethan Ellert is a Junior at George Mason University. He became involved with the Amazon WaSH project this past semester because he wanted to help the Maijuna people and learn about their fascinating culture that offers a unique view of the world. He loves the people in the project, who are very passionate and determined to deliver lasting results. “Ultimately clean water is essential and its something I take for granted every day. I would love to help deliver this access to the Maijuna people in any way I can.”
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Gabe Stonebraker works for Dewberry Consultants, LLC in their Water/Wastewater Services Department. He considers himself fortunate to have been able to work with the Maijuna since 2012 to bring cleaner water to their communities for a healthier standard of living. It has been a passion and joy in his life to help educate the Maijuna on how to build and maintain the biosand water filters that some of them now own. With this knowledge and technology, he hopes the Maijuna can overcome high child mortality rates and better save their people from diseases ranging from dysentery to malaria.
Laura Giles is a Nursing Student at George Mason University. She became involved with the Amazon WaSH Project in 2012 to help provide relief to a community that struggles with water and sanitation issues. Providing access to clean water to those in need is her passion, because it is such a simple and effective way to save so many lives. “Through our goal to teach proper hygiene and sanitation techniques, I truly believe that I have learned more from the Maijuna than they could ever learn from me.”
Bernadette Lemasters is a Master’s student at George Mason University. Bernadette and her family are from Puerto Rico. She keeps tabs on government policies, especially as they relate to the environment. She is also a researcher and information specialist. “The work alongside the Maijuna, and its community-driven approach, provides a useful model for other cooperative initiatives—one that I hope to both sponsor and emulate.”
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Fernanda Craig, a native Brazilian, studies Environmental Science, with a concentration in aquatic ecology at George Mason University. She believes in the integration of environmental and social sciences. The Maijuna reality is the same as many places in Brazil and of many countries around the world. “We all need water since before we are born, this makes us equal to one another and should bring us together. When I heard about the WASH project I thought: I belong there.”
Ashley Fortner is a Sophomore at George Mason University studying Applied Global Conservation and Biology. Although her goals are geared more towards wildlife conservation, she believes it is especially important for her to learn how to address and adapt to the needs of people first, especially those in lesser-known communities like the Maijuna. "Through this project I have not only recognized how far compassion can take a group of dedicated individuals, but it has also proven that no mission is too big to conquer, and even simple people like myself can change the world in monumental ways."
Diana Prado is a Junior at George Mason University. She is Peruvian born and raised. She says that one cannot be a Peruvian at George Mason University without being involved in this group, so here I am. She has been to the Peruvian Amazon many times to visit family members. Diana is very impressed that despite the harsh conditions and danger of being robbed (by people or monkeys), this team goes deep into the Amazon to help the Maijuna. “I want to help them in any way that I can and hope that their point-of-use water sanitation technique can spread to other parts of Peru and the world.”
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Laurence Benson is a civil engineer and the lead designer of our biosand water filter. He has been working with the Maijuna since the Amazon WaSH Project began in 2011 and has been to Peru 3 times for WaSH projects. “This project has been an eye-opening and life-changing experience that I am so lucky to be a part of, and I am very excited to see what the future brings.”
Carla Mere is a graduate student at George Mason University and a Peruvian biologist who is staunchly proud to be Peruvian. While she admires the richness of her culture, and its natural patrimony, she is also aware of how much progress can still be made. Valuing native communities, such as the Maijuna, is one area that still needs a lot of work in Latin American countries. "Valuing" not only their land, and natural resources, but also seeing native communities as human beings, considering their thoughts and needs because they are part of our society. “I am proud and happy to be part of the Amazon WaSH team as this project strengthens the skills of the Maijuna, allowing them to improve their quality of life, and become self-supporting.”
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Christine Figan is a Junior Environmental Science student at George Mason University. Her college background has solely been studying the scientific and technical aspects of the natural world, so she was draw to the Amazon WaSH project because she wanted to learn how to pair science with humanitarian efforts and use her education to help others. “I am so excited to help provide the Maijuna with such a necessary resource and witness this wonderful group of motivated people make a difference in the world.”
Taylor Passine is a Junior attending George Mason University majoring in integrative studies concentrating in conservation and minoring in both sustainability and biology. She first heard about the Maijuna when Professor Michael Gilmore presented in her sustainability class as a guest speaker and she couldn't help but find a way to get involved. After graduating she wants to continue conserving the environment including animals, people and culture for her future career.
Chelsie Romulo is a Doctoral student at George Mason University and became involved in the Amazon WaSH program through her advisor, Mike Gilmore. Her dissertation research focuses on a palm fruit harvested by communities such as the Maijuna all over the Peruvian Amazon. She is currently co-Project Manager with Tyler Rogers and is excited to be a part of such a devoted and passionate volunteer group. “I have been so impressed and inspired by the work of the team that I can't help but want to continue with the project, and share this work and inspiration with others.”