Engineering a better world

By: Genamarie McCant

From a young age, Andrade, a mechanical engineering major with a minor in environmental sciences, has always been motivated by an intrinsic desire to create a positive impact on the world. He fondly remembers sketching concepts for innovative, sustainable technologies—including robots for waste collection and machines designed to clean the ocean—as a child. 

Daniel Andrade shares his gratitude: “I’m grateful to have a community that really makes me feel at home. I feel like an individual who can have a real impact.” | Photo by Genamarie McCant

“Growing up in Ecuador has shaped my perspective on our relationship with nature, which sparked my passion for renewable energy,” Andrade says. His innate passion for making a difference, along with his involvement in the Dyer Center and academic pursuits, continues to fuel his career aspirations and his dedication to building a more sustainable future.

Andrade spent part of his summer interning with WindAid Institute in Trujillo, Peru. Made possible by the Jeffrey B. Havens Memorial Award, WindAid is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing renewable energy to off-grid communities by building wind turbines. During his four-week internship as an engineer, he gained hands-on experience in wind turbine construction, including welding, molding, and assembling turbine components. He also visited remote communities benefiting from these turbines, gaining firsthand insight into the real-world impact of renewable energy.

Building on this experience, Andrade started a capstone project at Lafayette, working with a team of 13 students under the mentorship of Peter Nguyen, visiting assistant professor of mechanical engineering, to design and create a functional wind turbine on campus. The turbine will serve as both a research tool and an educational resource, allowing future mechanical engineering students to gain hands-on experience with renewable energy systems. As part of the ME 475: Thermal/Fluids Systems course, students will collect data from the turbine to deepen their understanding of wind energy systems.

“Our WINd team is on track to deliver a functioning wind turbine testing prototype by the end of the spring 2025 semester. This capstone project is designed to be integrated seamlessly into the ME 475: Thermal/Fluids Systems course to help educate future Lafayette engineers on renewable energy systems,” Nguyen says.

Photo by Genamarie McCant

As a Dyer Fellow, Andrade is also helping lead the Lafayette Easton Alliance (LEA) to strengthen the relationship between the Easton and Lafayette communities. LEA was originally founded by Riley Larson ’21, Michael Anekwe ’22, Sarah Smith ’24, and Marty Johnson, entrepreneur in residence, who played a key role in launching the initiative. After an initial period of impactful work, the organization paused its activities while seeking new student leadership. Since then, Andrade, alongside Dyer Fellows Swetha Tadisina ’25 and Daniel Weispfenning ’25, have reignited LEA, which remains proudly student-driven.

LEA has organized a variety of events to connect Lafayette with downtown, such as outings to Garlic Fest and student performances at Winter Village, all while continuing to explore innovative new initiatives. “As we look ahead, we are considering long-term plans to further connect Lafayette and Easton through professional development opportunities and new initiatives designed to encourage students to explore what the city has to offer,” Andrade says. 

“Strengthening the relationship between Lafayette and Easton encourages us to engage more deeply with the community around us and take pride in being part of something larger than Lafayette—so we can work on growing stronger together,” Andrade shares. “One important lesson from my time at the Dyer Center has been learning to connect points between two things,” he adds. “It’s about viewing things as a system and approaching them from a new angle—whether it’s connecting energy grids or linking Easton with Lafayette.”

As a lifelong learner, Andrade believes that a Lafayette education goes beyond the classroom. “Lafayette has given me the opportunity to develop this multidisciplinary mindset through its liberal arts education. Learning doesn’t stop when college ends; it’s something you keep working on throughout your career. After graduation, I aim to work on energy systems and explore how we can leverage them to make a positive impact on the world—my ultimate goal is to use the knowledge and skills I’m gaining as a Dyer Fellow and a student at Lafayette College to contribute to my country’s development,” he says. “For now, I’m thoroughly enjoying my last semester as a Lafayette Leopard.”

The Dyer Center’s Annual Big Idea Pitch Competition | Photo by Adam Atkinson

In 2024, Andrade, together with Carson Belaire ’27, co-founded Amazolar, a nonprofit organization focused on providing solar power to support education in underserved communities in Ecuador. Their innovative project earned them second place in the Dyer Center’s Annual Big Idea Pitch Competition. Andrade has been working on Amazolar since his junior year and is now focusing on its future post-graduation. “They say you have a 9-to-5 job and a 5-to-9 passion project; that’s how I view Amazolar. It’s something I’m passionate about and want to continue working on,” Andrade says.

“Dani embodies what it means to be a Lafayette student: curious, driven, and committed to making a difference,” says Rita Chesterton, Bradbury Dyer III ’64 Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “His work through the Dyer Center, LEA, and Amazolar shows how entrepreneurship can be a tool for both personal growth and social impact. He’s not just connecting ideas, he’s connecting communities.”

“I came in as an undecided engineering student, and I’m leaving as a mechanical engineer with an environmental science minor, an entrepreneurial perspective from the Dyer Center, leadership experience from campus clubs, and professional experiences from my summer internships. All of these facets have shaped who I am today.”