Mei-Li Hey

Mei-Li Hey is a mechanical engineer whose career encompasses aerospace engineering and humanitarian innovation. Hey earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San Diego and began pursuing a master's degree at UCLA while working full time at Northrop Grumman. As a mechanical design engineer, she spent five years on the James Webb Space Telescope program, serving as team lead for floor support operations and work plan manager for a subset of mechanical ground systems engineering end items. Hey joined colleagues from Northrop Grumman, the National Aeronautic Association, and NASA in receiving the Collier Trophy for the James Webb Space Telescope.

Hey's interest in humanitarian engineering began during her undergraduate studies, inspired by Margaret Orech, founder of the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association. Motivated by Orech's discussion of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Uganda, Hey designed a low-cost, portable, and easily manufacturable assistive device to improve latrine accessibility. This project, titled "Simple Seat, Better Lives," received the Best Humanitarian Engineering Project Award at the IEEE National Conference in Seattle.

Hey is president and co-founder of Atwero, a nonprofit organization focused on improving sanitation for persons with disabilities and developing inclusive sanitation infrastructure in low-income countries, with operations in Uganda. Atwero, meaning "I'm able" in a local Ugandan language, has received charitable grants and support from organizations including Aerie and Northrop Grumman. The organization is also supported by the Social Innovation Lab at Johns Hopkins University, where Hey develops strategies to expand Atwero's impact.

Hey is a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on environmental sustainability, resilience, and health. Through her work with Atwero, she has developed expertise in environmental health, health equity, and the intersection of sanitation and food systems. As a CLF-Lerner Fellow, Hey explores ways to improve health equity through integrated approaches to sanitation and food systems. Her background in aerospace engineering and humanitarian technology positions her as a knowledgeable voice in STEM, social innovation, global health equity, and engineering for social impact.