Executive Board

M. Bernardine Dias, Founder and Director, is an Assistant Research Professor in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science and a member of the Computer Science faculty at Carnegie Mellon University Qatar.  Her research experience is in technology for developing communities, assistive technology, technology education, autonomous team coordination, and automated planning and navigation. Dr. Dias is a native of Sri Lanka. Her career goal is innovating means of developing and disseminating suitable and sustainable technology for empowering developing communities.  She is a strong supporter and mentor for women in science and technology.

Rahul Tongia, Associate Director, is a Senior Systems Scientist in the School of Computer Science (ISRI), and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Tongia is interested in issues of infrastructure in emerging economies, especially the role of technology choices for improving deployment and penetration. Using quantitative policy and decision analysis, he has focused on the information technology (IT), telecom, and energy domains. In addition to engineering-economic analyses, his work also deals with broader policy issues such as security, international collaboration, and technology analysis and transfer. A prime area of activity involves the use of IT for human development. He recently completed a book on research issues for using information and communications technology (ICT) for sustainable development.

Sarah M. Belousov, Project Assistant, is based in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. Her primary responsibilities involve logistical coordination and administrative duties in support of extending the activities of the TechBridgeWorld program at Carnegie Mellon University’s campuses in Doha and Pittsburgh. She earned her bachelor's degree in international studies and French at Johns Hopkins University and l’Institut d’Études Politiques in Paris. Prior to joining TechBridgeWorld, Ms. Belousov worked at the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and participated with the Leadership Development Initiative, a program of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. She is currently conducting her master's degree part-time at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

M. Freddie Dias, Research Engineer, is based in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. He assists with robotics research in the Field Robotics Center, supporting projects related to multi-robot coordination. He also serves as a technical consultant for projects related to technology and development under the TechBridgeWorld initiative. His work in both categories bridges Carnegie Mellon University’s campuses in Doha and Pittsburgh. Originally from Sri Lanka, he graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a double major in physics and computer science.

Ermine A. Teves, Project Assistant, is an alumna of Carnegie Mellon University. She graduated in May of 2008 with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Her responsibilities include expanding TechBridgeWorld's programs, marketing, and fundraising efforts. Ermine became interested in technology for sustainable development while interning for TechBridgeWorld during her undergraduate studies. She has taken a TechBridgeWorld course, Technology and Global Development, and in Summer 2008, she spent 10 weeks in Bangalore, India working with Microsoft Research India and the Mathru School for the Blind as part of the Technology Consulting in the Global Community program. Ermine is a native of the Philippines and hopes to facilitate future TechBridgeWorld projects and programs in her home country.

G. Ayorkor Mills-Tettey, TechBridgeWorld Student Representative, is a Ph.D. candidate in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. Her interests and research activities include teaching, developing optimization algorithms for robotics path planning and task allocation, and understanding the synergies between technology and education, especially in developing communities. A native of Ghana, Ms. Mills-Tettey attended Dartmouth College from which she graduated with degrees in computer science and engineering. She has taught and developed curriculum at Ashesi University in Accra, Ghana and is also a 2006 Google Anita Borg Scholarship recipient. In her role as a TechBridgeWorld student representative, she is responsible for liaising with other students and participating actively in the development of new and existing TechBridgeWorld programs.