Who We Are
Rudy's long-term goals are to use his training as a scientist, researcher, and engineer to address the most pressing issues that affect people in developing countries, including poverty and major global health problems, including malnutrition, maternal & child mortality, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Rudy is a full-time Associate Professor in Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and in the Joint Georgia Tech/Emory University Department of Biomedical Engineering. Rudy has conducted numerous research projects supported by the US Agency for International Development, US National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the American Heart Association and is a two-time Fulbright Scholarship recipient, spending two years in Ethiopia conducting research as part of his academic sabbaticals. While in Ethiopia, Rudy worked closely with Because of Kennedy activities, including helping to shape our Child Development and Family Empowerment, Sunday school teacher training and program implementation, development of a Youth ministry at a partner church in Burayu, development of church and NGO staff, and deepening of relationships with in-country church and NGO staff.
Stateside, Rudy participates in the development of US church partnerships and implementation of US-based church-partnered ministry activities. Rudy holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Engineering and a Master’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Florida, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Rudy previously worked as a project Engineer in Environmental Consulting, working mainly on groundwater remediation. Rudy, and his wife Katie, have been married since 2003 and are the proud parents of Lawson, Eli, Isabelle, and Brooklyn. He and his family lives in Marietta, GA.
Contact Rudy at rudy@becauseofkennedy.org
Katie aims to use her passion and training in psychology to create and implement programs that effectively empower and disciple families to raise themselves out of poverty, encourages the importance of education, and health and wellness of the community. While in Ethiopia Katie has played an integral role in fostering partnerships and developing and implementing BoK programs. While in the US, Katie manages much of Because of Kennedy’s day-to-day operations and develops and implements ministry partnership activities.
Kate holds a Bachelors and a Masters of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington. Katie previously taught at Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University, but now stays home to raise her four children while managing Because of Kennedy. Katie and Rudy have been married since 2003 and live in Acworth, GA with their children Lawson, Eli, Isabelle and Brooklyn.
Contact Katie at katie@becauseofkennedy.org
