CPT Eric Segalini
“Protecting South-American Ecosystems from Mercury Threat”
Sponsor Perspective
CPT Eric Segalini
Overview
Through Hacking for Defense® (H4D), a nationwide university program that leverages the brightest students to address national security problems, students are taught how to apply entrepreneurial methodologies to understand and offer pathways for addressing a specific government problem.
Each team is given a different problem and every problem has a government problem sponsor. Problem sponsors are members of the Department of Defense or Intelligence Community who possess the relevant technical or professional expertise to mentor their students. They act as both the client and liaison, owning the problem the students are trying to solve and facilitating their investigation into its root causes.
Sponsor Biography:
CPT Segalini commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University in 2014. He completed the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, OK, and served in leadership roles at Fort Campbell, KY, including Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader, and Battalion Intelligence Officer. Selected for Special Forces in 2017, he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2020. He served as Company Executive Officer, Detachment Commander, and later as 7th SFG (A) Plans Officer, leading deployments to Guatemala and Colombia. CPT Segalini’s awards include 3 ARCOMs, 1 JSAM, 1 AAM, the Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and Airborne and Air Assault badges.
Sponsor Perspective:
Could you talk us through the problem you submitted?
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) needed a system that can effectively locate and track mercury to combat illegal mining activities and improve environmental conditions in South America. The presence of mercury in illegal mining operations poses a significant threat to both the environment and public health, making it crucial to have a reliable system that can monitor and manage its movement and usage. Such a system would not only help in enforcing regulations but also in protecting ecosystems and communities affected by illegal mining practices. The student team redefined the problem and developed two strong, tangible solutions that were realistic and actionable. Their work was highly practical, and there’s a strong belief that the project should continue, potentially moving towards prototype development. The solutions presented were so effective that they could realistically be implemented and used by the organization.
What did your team do with this problem?
The student team took the problem and ran with it, meeting with several major agencies such as NGA and NASA. These agencies expressed a strong interest in the team's ideas, recognizing their potential usefulness. The students also conducted extensive fieldwork, including 97 interviews in Peru, which helped them gather diverse perspectives and refine their solutions to be applicable to a wide range of scenarios, not just the specific problem initially presented.
How did their findings impact the organization?
The findings had a significant positive impact on the organization. The presentation, which detailed the student team's work, was shared with colleagues working in South America, who immediately recognized the value of the proposed solutions. The organization now has a clearer path forward, knowing that there is a viable solution to help them address the challenges they face, which, in turn, contributes to broader goals such as improving safety and environmental conditions by reducing illegal activities.
Why should other potential government sponsors get involved in the H4D program?
The H4D program offers a unique opportunity for government sponsors to connect with academia and gain fresh perspectives on their problems. The program allows sponsors to step outside of their usual thought processes and consider innovative solutions that might not have been developed within their organizations. Additionally, the experience of mentoring and interacting with the student teams is rewarding, as it provides an opportunity to influence the next generation of leaders while also learning from them. The tangible outcomes produced by the teams can be directly beneficial to the sponsoring organizations, making the collaboration mutually enriching.
🌐 Take action now by submitting your challenge through our dedicated problem submission page. Together, let's pave the way for innovative defense solutions!