Visited with Brendan Smith, a Materials Science and Engineering PhD student working in the Grossman Group at MIT, who is developing cheap robust nano-filtration membranes for household water treatment in India (May 2019)
Graphical abstract of ultrathinRO membrane from graphene.
Jai Sanan is an 8th-grade student at Scarsdale Middle School in New York and the Vice President for Marketing and Food-Energy-Water Nexus at Day Zero Water. Since joining Day Zero Water in 2020, Jai has expanded the organization’s scope to include sustainable food initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of food scarcity and food wastage in addressing global challenges. For his 12th birthday, he raised $6,500 to support school meal programs in Sudan and has been instrumental in securing partnerships, such as an agreement with Quench Water to subsidize reverse osmosis filtration units for underserved U.S. schools.
At Scarsdale Middle School, Jai serves on the Executive Community Council, organizing events including promoting school spirit, fundraisers, and sustainability initiatives to enrich school life. He has 4 years of programming experience in Python using AI/ML and has completed a research paper called: “Predicting Food Loss Across Countries, Commodities, and Supply Stages Using AI: a Data-Driven Approach to Reducing Global Food Waste”. Jai has also built a travel app and taken courses at IDTech, MIT, and Stanford in neural networks, AI/ML, and app making.
Beyond academics and service, Jai is an avid basketball player who has competed in school and club teams since kindergarten, learning resilience, teamwork, and adaptability. As a member of the Science Olympiad and MathCounts teams at Scarsdale Middle School, Jai has built several hands-on projects including an air trajectory device, rockets, and mini race cars. Jai hones his problem-solving skills by applying his Python programming and AI expertise to tackle real-world challenges. His efforts highlight his deep commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Pax is a student at Maple Road Elementary in West Milford, New Jersey. He is dedicated to the academic, physical, and wellness development of youth in New Jersey. Pax is a kind and caring individual who actively competes for and advocates on behalf of the Junior Highlanders Track & Field team. He has participated in State and Regional qualifiers and competed in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, excelling in the High Jump, Long Jump, Javelin, and Triathlon events. Through his dedication to both academics and athletics, Pax aims to inspire others to achieve a balanced life focused on physical and mental well-being. He is excited to join the team and contribute to an initiative designed to improve people’s lives.
Avery Rothchild, a passionate young New Yorker and vibrant 14-year-old, calls the city of New York home. With a heart full of compassion, Avery had a unique journey that has shaped her into who she is today. Avery is currently a freshman who attends the Dwight-Englewood School. Previously a dedicated competitive gymnast, Avery showed her discipline and perseverance through rigorous training. However, a back fracture forced her to step away from gymnastics, leading her to discover a new passion: soccer. Now, she embraces the thrill of the game, finding joy in teamwork and the camaraderie of her teammates.
Beyond her athletic pursuits, Avery has a deep-rooted love for children. Her empathy and kindness shine through as she interacts with young people, making a positive impact on their lives.
With a hopeful outlook on the future, Avery is committed to making the world a better place. One of her primary concerns is ensuring access to clean drinking water for all. She believes that this essential resource is a fundamental human right and is passionate about advocating for initiatives that promote clean water accessibility.
Shloka Bhattacharyya is a current junior at Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Vice President of Day Zero Water. Driven by a sense of social responsibility, Shloka has been a part of service projects like blood drives, feeding the homeless, raising money for flood reparations, tutoring, clothing donations, and more. Shloka has been interested in advocating for water security since visiting India in 2019 and witnessing the conditions that make access to clean water very challenging. Shloka is passionate about applying her interests in mathematics and AI to solving the water equity crisis. By combining her technical skills with her concern for water accessibility, she intends to develop AI models that can revolutionize the way we monitor and address water-related challenges. Beyond all this, Shloka also has a deep love for tennis and music. She has been playing tennis for fun since she was eight, and is on the school tennis team. Shloka also plays three instruments, starting with the violin at 4 years old to the piano at 11 to learning the guitar herself at 14. As Vice President, Shloka hopes to make an enduring impact on the global water crisis and inspire others to get interested in the cause.
Kemar Martin is a senior at Monsignor Scanlan high school in the Bronx, NY. He is a competitive basketball player and has received state-level acclaim. Kemar cares deeply about clean water and is a valued member of the Day Zero Water team often bringing ideas, local connection and contacts.
Tendai Mukaringe is a 23-year-old Zimbabwean based in South Africa, balancing her work as a server with full-time studies in Web Development. Tendai is passionate about addressing water challenges in her community and has been actively trying to engage with local authorities. Her dedication extends beyond her studies, as she works long hours to save for a car to launch an Uber profile, supporting her education and future endeavors.
Om Sanan is the founder and CEO of Day Zero Water, a student led non-profit organization that helps raise clean water awareness and implements water filtration projects in schools locally in New York and in high water-stress areas around the world. Om has been an advocate and blogger for clean water and water security since 2017, and has fundraised to implement several water filtration projects in New York, Africa and India. Since April 2022, Om has been working part-time at Millwood Water Treatment Plant, which provides clean water to Westchester County and parts of New York City. Om is also interning with National Renewable Energy Labs in Colorado in summer 2023 doing research on water-energy nexus. Om has more than six years of computer programming (Python, Java, AI/ML) experience and is working on combining his expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with his real-world experience in water treatment to find practical solutions to optimize the cost and greenhouse gas emissions from water treatment (including desalination). Om tutors underprivileged kids in math and computer programming and has run numerous charitable events. Om is a member of National Alliance for Water Innovation, International Desalination Association, Water Environment Federation and American Chemical Society, and is an active member of the Green Club, Robotics Club and BYTE Club in high school. Om is passionate about boating, water sports, traveling, and basketball; his basketball club team won the 15U Nationals in Boston in 2022.
