The Department of Geology and Environmental Science Junior Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of our younger alumni. The award highlights the diversity and quality of the contributions our younger alumni have made to the enrichment of our profession. The department is especially pleased to award Mr. Samir Lakhani with the 1st annual 2019 Department of Geology and Environmental Science Junior Distinguished Alumni Award.
Samir Lakhani is a social entrepreneur dedicated to restoring health and dignity to developing countries. Before founding Eco-Soap Bank in 2014, Samir was deeply involved in aquaculture and nutrition projects in northern Cambodian villages. He has also developed solar lighting solution projects in Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Through his six years of nonprofit work in the areas of nutrition, water accessibility, and sanitation/hygiene, he has witnessed firsthand how delivering key products like soap transform the health and well-being of impoverished communities. He is the founder and executive director of Eco-Soap Bank. Samir received a CNN Heroes Award for Eco-Soap Bank in 2017 and a Unilever Young Entrepreneurs award in 2018.