UN Sustainability Goals
- Good Health And Well-Being
- Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements
Areas of Impact
- Engineering Health
- Industrial, Urban & Environmental Sustainability
Global Challenge: Treat and cure climate change related illnesses
Bio:
Raynard is a Mechanical Engineering student at NYU Tandon with roots in both Albania and the U.S. His college experience expanded significantly during a semester abroad at NYU Abu Dhabi through the GLASS program, where he formed meaningful connections, experienced Ramadan in the UAE, and traveled across seven countries. The time abroad broadened his global perspective and reinforced his interest in engineering as a tool for real-world impact.
At Tandon, Raynard has combined research, design, and sustainability-focused work. He contributed to genetic research on third-hand smoke through NYU’s Summer Research Program and worked on sustainable concrete development as part of the Concrete Canoe VIP team. Through internships tied to NYC’s Local Law 97, he supported energy efficiency compliance efforts by analyzing building data and preparing reports for over 100 properties. These experiences deepened his understanding of how engineering and policy intersect.
Most recently, Raynard interned at Buro Happold in New York, where he gained hands-on HVAC design experience on large-scale commercial projects. He also participated in biomedical research while abroad, studying zebrafish cancer models and designing surgical tools in SolidWorks. Outside of academics, he plays guitar, has been exposed to five languages, and enjoys finding unexpected connections between engineering, culture, and everyday life.