Abstract
Engineering plays a major role in shaping how people experience care, whether through physical infrastructure or digital systems. A growing challenge in modern society is how to provide accessible, safe, and effective care in ways that meet increasing demand while maintaining quality and trust. This issue appears in both the built environment and emerging technologies. For example, healthcare workers often struggle to find reliable childcare due to demanding schedules, while individuals seeking mental health support face barriers such as cost, availability, and stigma. These gaps highlight a broader problem: how can engineering design improve access to care while still protecting user well-being? While this project focuses on two different areas, childcare infrastructure and AI mental health tools, both address this shared challenge of designing systems that balance accessibility, functionality, and ethical responsibility.
My technical project focuses on the site design of a new Early Learning Center intended to provide childcare for healthcare professionals. The goal of this project was to develop a complete set of construction-ready plans that integrate grading, stormwater management, utility routing, and accessibility within a constrained site. Working with engineers from Timmons Group, our team designed a layout that meets Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards while remaining cost-effective and practical to build. A major part of the work involved optimizing grading and earthwork to ensure proper drainage and ADA-compliant access while minimizing unnecessary material movement. In addition, we developed a stormwater management system that uses best management practices such as bioretention and infiltration to control runoff and improve water quality. Utility coordination was also critical, requiring careful alignment of water, sewer, and storm systems with the building and surrounding site features. The final design demonstrates how civil engineering can create functional, safe, and sustainable spaces that directly support community needs, particularly for essential workers like healthcare professionals.
My STS research project examines the rise of AI-powered mental health chatbots and the ethical implications of their increasing use. The central research question asks how these technologies redistribute trust, responsibility, and power within systems of psychological care. Using concepts such as mutual shaping and technological momentum, the paper argues that while chatbots improve access to mental health support, they also introduce new risks. Evidence from existing research shows that chatbots can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression for some users and provide convenient, stigma-free support. However, they also lack true emotional understanding, which can lead users to overestimate their capabilities. This creates an “illusion of empathy” where users feel supported by systems that cannot fully respond to complex emotional situations. The research also highlights concerns about accountability, as it is often unclear who is responsible when a chatbot fails to respond appropriately, especially in crisis situations. Additionally, these platforms collect sensitive personal data, raising questions about privacy and data security. Overall, the paper concludes that AI mental health chatbots are not neutral tools but active participants in shaping how care is delivered and experienced.
Together, these two projects demonstrate how engineering design influences both the accessibility and quality of care across different contexts. The technical project addresses physical access to childcare, helping reduce stress and logistical challenges for healthcare workers. The STS project, on the other hand, examines digital access to mental health support, highlighting how increased accessibility can come with ethical tradeoffs. While both projects aim to improve access to care, they also show that design decisions carry broader consequences. Effective engineering solutions must not only meet functional requirements but also consider how they affect trust, safety, and user experience. Moving forward, engineers and designers should continue to prioritize both practicality and responsibility, ensuring that innovations in both infrastructure and technology truly support the well-being of the communities they are meant to serve.
