University of Notre Dame Du Lac

Infectious diseases and food, water, and energy shortages torment marginalized populations in the developing world. By removing aquatic vegetation from water access points, this University of Notre Dame du Lac project can increase open water access needed by villagers and reduce schistosomiasis, caused by parasites that live in snails. Converting this vegetation to compost or livestock feed significantly increases food production, and it can be used to fuel biodigesters that produce fertilizer and gas for cooking or electricity production. Thus, a single intervention has enormous potential to sustainably address food, water, and energy shortages and a rampant infectious disease at the same time. To scale up this solution in West and East Africa, we use satellite imagery, machine learning, and cell phone alert systems. We have the potential to mechanize vegetation removal and expand our operations throughout Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.