Irund Ilunga A-wan is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. He was raised in Angola a south west state of Africa Austral. He enjoys meeting people with different backgrounds and playing football (soccer). He is fluent in French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and Swahili. After graduation from the University of Iowa in May 2008 with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, he will pursue a master degree in Architectural Design. In the future, he plans to combine his education and language skills for the betterment of humanity.
Contact: irund@continentalcrossings.org

Avery Bang is a geotechnical engineering Masters student at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her structural engineering experience includes a year internship at Shoemaker & Haaland in Coralville, Iowa.  She grew up in Iowa City and played soccer for The University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). She graduated with honors in May 2007, with a BSE in Civil Engineering and a BA in Studio Art.  While at Iowa, she served as President of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) and founded Iowa’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB).  In her free time, she spent a semester in Fiji, a summer in Italy and a winter in India. She currently serves on Bridges to Prosperity’s Board of Directors and hopes to help other university students with similar bridge projects.
Contact: avery@continentalcrossings.org

Jenna Marie Kusmierek is currently perusing a masters degree in architecture at the University of Colorado Denver. She graduated in May 2007 with a BSE in Civil Engineering and a BA in Studio Art. After studying abroad in Italy for a summer, Australia for a semester, and traveling throughout New Zealand, Jenna changed her major from biomedical engineering to civil engineering. She found the area of civil engineering better suited to the combination of her interests in the environment, sustainability, and design. While at the University of Iowa, Jenna was an officer in both ASCE and ESW. She was employed at IIHR and worked as a TA , RA, and web developer for the Fluid Mechanics course. Jenna is also a painter, photographer, graphic artist, and web designer.
Contact: jenna@continentalcrossings.org

Tara Olds graduated in May 2007 with a BSE in Civil Engineering and minor in Anthropology.  While traveling throughout Europe, she developed a great interest in buildings and bridges, especially after visiting the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in England, which influenced her to major in civil engineering.  Tara worked as a writing consultant at the Hansen Center for Technical Communication for three years while studying at The University of Iowa.  She also held many positions in clubs and organizations including ASCE, ESW, Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Amnesty International, and the University of Iowa Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team.  She is currently working for American Engineering Testing, Inc. in St. Paul, MN and playing for the Club Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Contact: tara@continentalcrossings.org

Ryan Wallace was raised in West Des Moines, graduating from Valley High School in 2003. He is in his fifth year at The University of Iowa College of Engineering working towards a degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Psychology. When not working with his team mates on the design project for Peru , Ryan finds himself often consumed by the sports world. He co-hosts a sports talk show at the university radio station KRUI 89.7 and is an avid Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. To escape the everyday stresses that come with a collegiate life and a
project of this magnitude, Ryan takes time to help his dog Jack chase the local rabbits and squirrels. Ryan could not be more excited about his involvement with the project and appreciates the support from his
family, friends, and the community.
Contact: ryan@continentalcrossings.org