My name is Daniel Olatinwo Opeyemi, a beneficiary of Rice 360’s Summer Experience Engineering Design(SEED) and an Industrial & Production Engineering student from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kicking off my journey to the United States, which began on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at exactly 11:55 PM, when I boarded my very first international flight, a plane from Lagos, Nigeria, alongside my colleague from the University of Lagos, Eniola. It was an 11-hour flight to Washington, D.C., followed by another 3-hour flight to Houston, Texas. We finally arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport around 11 AM on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The first thing that greeted me was the blazing Texas sun and a friendly driver who had been assigned to pick us up. He drove us straight to Rice University, where we were warmly welcomed by Michelle. She gave us a quick tour of Martel College and showed us our room, where a lovely welcome package awaited. That afternoon, we had a delicious lunch at Sammy’s, located at the student center, with Michelle and Gabriel, a great way to settle in.
The next day, Friday, we had our first official tour of Rice University and a brief meeting with Marjorie from Rice 360°. We also had lunch at the American Island Grill, where we met some of the key people we’ll be working with: Dr. Kelvin Holmes, our supervisor at OEDK(Osman Engineering Design Kitchen); Erin, the lead intern for the SEED program; Helena, a fellow SEED participant; and several others.
On Saturday, Helena kindly volunteered to take us to Hermann Park, where I joined the other international SEED interns visiting the zoo. It was fun exploring the park, seeing different animals, and enjoying nature in a whole new environment. Sunday was peaceful. Eniola and I attended church at St. Mary’s Chapel, a perfect way to reflect and prepare for the week ahead.
Monday kicked off with great energy and excitement, setting the tone for the rest of the week. We had our official welcome session at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), the heart of innovation at Rice University. It was here that I met the full SEED intern cohort, a diverse and incredibly talented group of students from different parts of the world. We began with introductions, each person sharing their background, interests, and what they hoped to gain from the program. After that, we were introduced to the exciting list of design and research projects we could choose from each one tackling real-world problems and offering the chance to make a meaningful impact. To help us form balanced and effective teams, we also completed the DISC personality assessment, which gave insight into our working styles and communication preferences. This thoughtful approach to team-building made it clear that SEED values not just technical skills, but strong collaboration and personal growth as well.
By Tuesday morning, I had been selected for my two preferred projects:
• EARTI is an innovative hydroponic farming system designed to optimize plant cultivation in controlled environments. As part of its advanced monitoring capabilities, the system requires a vertically moving camera that can travel along the height of the growing structure. This camera will be responsible for capturing real-time images of the plants at various levels, enabling researchers and farmers to closely monitor growth patterns, detect issues early, and ensure optimal plant health throughout the farming cycle.
• Drain Saver is a sustainability-focused project aimed at minimizing water waste in autoclave systems. Typically, autoclaves release hot steam during their sterilization cycles, which is cooled using a continuous flow of water before its condensate can be safely drained. The Drain Saver project seeks to reduce the volume of water used in this cooling process by exploring alternative cooling methods, improving thermal management, and optimizing system efficiency. The goal is to design a solution that conserves water without compromising the safety or performance of the autoclave.
The rest of the week, Wednesday through Friday, was spent getting to know my teammates on each project, and we also had our first client meetings on each project, where we got to see their workspaces and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they’re facing. I was impressed by how open and supportive the clients were. I also took part in the laser cutting workshop, where I got hands-on experience using the laser machine. During the session, I learned how the machine precisely engraves designs and cuts through various materials like wood and acrylic using focused laser beams. We were introduced to the design software(Adobe Illustrator) used to prepare files for cutting, and I even had the chance to create and engrave a personalized item. It was exciting to see how digital designs could be transformed into physical objects with such accuracy and speed.
Saturday, June 14, was a highlight of my week. I went ice skating for the very first time with Doohan, Helena, and a group of international SEED students. We also explored downtown Houston and did a bit of window shopping. Stepping onto the ice was exciting, even though I took a few spectacular spills; every stumble was pure adrenaline and so much fun. I can’t wait to lace up and do it all over again!
In conclusion, I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the SEED program. This first week has been a perfect blend of learning, bonding, and exploration. It’s inspiring to witness how real-world problems are tackled here, and I’m looking forward to what the next six weeks will bring.
A heartfelt thank you to the incredible sponsors of this program, your generosity is not just opening doors, it’s transforming lives. Your support is empowering students like me to dream bigger, learn deeper, and grow beyond borders. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity you’ve made possible.
Just one week in, and I already have many stories to tell.
Stay tuned for more this Sunday.