Lily Bailey '20

Lily Bailey is an undergraduate studying computer science while dabbling in economics, political science, and the life sciences. She is particularly interested in using her skills in data science and her interest in policy to address some of the major social and climate issues facing the world. The arts have always provided her with stability and a community of people, so she sees them remaining an important source of happiness and creative expression. She particularly enjoys taking photographs of MIT that help other people see the beauty in the occasionally imposing concrete monolith campus. Her hobbies include wandering around in the world capturing fleeting moments, playing on the MIT women’s soccer team, and spending time outdoors.

Lizbeth Barrios De La Torre G

Liz is a Research Assistant and MS candidate in the Media Lab’s Space Enabled group. With a BFA in Illustration-Entertainment Art designing vehicles, props, and environments for feature film animation from ArtCenter College of Design, she uses design thinking methods and techniques to imagine the future of technology in space.

Liz comes to the Media Lab from “The Studio” at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she worked on creative projects and tech demos for various space missions and pre-mission formulation for future missions. Apart from illustrating two posters included in the NASA Visions of the Future series (Europa, Ceres) she also co-lead research in astronaut devices and wearables for situational awareness and robotic interaction on Mars.

Levi "Veevee" Cai G

Veevee is a PhD student in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program studying robots for ocean exploration. He also did a Masters at the Media Lab and worked on fabrication-related projects. He also likes to eat, travel, eat, play tennis or draw, and eat.

Matt Carney G

Matt Carney, PhD graduated from and is a postdoc in the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab, where he is designing and building next-generation bionic limbs. His specialty in mechanical design and mechatronic systems was born from years of experience working at the industry leading firms Meka Robotics (humanoids) and IDEO (product design). He is formally trained with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from CalPoly and UC Berkeley, as well as an additional master of science in Media Arts and Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to machine design, he also has strong interests in art, culture, politics, civic action and social justice.

Melanie Chen '20

Melanie is an undergraduate studying computer science who is interested in art and design. She enjoys playing violin, hiking, experimenting with ink, charcoal, acrylic, oils, and typography, and exploring local history and culture through food, museums, and touristy activities. She aims to live life to the fullest, and part of that during her time her at MIT is through exploring all forms of the arts in Boston and gaining new experiences every day. 

Emily S. Cheng '20

Emily is currently an undergraduate student at MIT majoring in course 6-3 and 18. Since she was pretty young, Emily has been interested in the visual arts, starting with crayons and transitioning to (almost as cool) mediums such as watercolor and ink. In her art, Emily incorporates motion and fantasy into the mundane. Emily primarily uses acrylics, charcoal, ink, watercolor, and oils, (or some combination of those!), and she has recently been exploring clay and kinetic sculpture.  Her dream is to one day have her own studio in her home and teach kids how to paint.

Cathy Choi '20

Cathy Choi is an undergraduate studying materials science and engineering with a minor in political science. She started playing the violin at age 7 and continues to be a member of the music community as an Emerson Scholar. She has also been a part of the Chamber Music Society for four years at MIT, performing trios, quartets and quintets. Her other hobbies include hiking, yoga and exploring the food scene in Boston.

Sarah Dohadwala '21

Sarah is an undergraduate studdying biological engineering who is interested in art and design. She enjoys playing board games, listening to music, experimenting with weird mixed media combinations, reading, and exploring Boston through food, museums, and cool buildings. She’s really interested in the intersection of her really varied interests, and hopes to learn a lot during her time at MIT!

Dipo Doherty G

Dipo Doherty seeks to define a vocabulary in his work that unites his African heritage and scientific background; a socio-scientific synthesis, with the human body being at the centre-point of his practice. An indigene of Lagos, Nigeria, he earned his Bsc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and is a self-taught artist. His artistic career began at the age of 21, in an attempt to approach his scientific inquiry of the world around him through artistic expression. Doherty has interpreted the human anatomy in his own ideology, increasing its dimensionality in abstraction in his paintings, while expanding his visual language to other forms of media that reference socio-economic issues, and scientific parallels in the highly dynamic cultural fabric of the contemporary world today. One of the foremost young artists practicing in Nigeria today, he is an Arthouse Foundation Fellow, Rele Young Contemporary Artist, and finalist for the inaugural Art X Prize in 2016. He has held past solo exhibitions in Red Door Gallery, Nike Art Gallery and the National Museum Lagos.

Aidan Driscoll '21

Aidan Driscoll is a junior studying Physics and Theater Arts. He has an interest and has done research in environmental and energy related fields, and is passionate about writing for various forms of storytelling, namely film, theater and comic books. He likes the outdoors, goes to the movies probably more than he should, and stays up too late reading books or behind the scenes interviews.

Jierui Fang '20

Jierui is a senior studying design, biomedical engineering, and computer science. She has conducted research on medical maker technologies, biomaterial fabrication, and designing for refugees with the goal of creating impact through interdisciplinary design. Her artwork, like her fields of study, varies wildly from monochrome charcoal and monoprints to interactive installations and murals.  When not creating, she also enjoys exploring mycology, aerial silks, figure skating, compulsively reading the news, and eating spicy foods.

Joe Faraguna '20

Joe Faraguna is a junior studying Bioengineering and Computer Science at MIT. He thinks things in nature, especially bubbles and the immune system, are beautiful works of art. He is a Dan Flavin nut and a student guide for the List Gallery. He tried to make an installation for Burning Man once and grows slime mold in his dorm room. 

Joy Feng '22

Joy Feng is an undergraduate student at MIT majoring in 6-14 and 18 with a minor in 21M (Music). She has been dancing since the age of four, studying ballet, classical and ethnic Chinese dance, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz, and is currently a choreographer for the MIT Asian Dance Team as well as a performing member of Dance Revelasian, a Boston-based pre-professional dance company. In addition, Joy plays piano and cello, is the director of Cello++, MIT’s cello ensemble, and loves playing chamber music in the MIT Chamber Music Society. When she’s not catching up on classes, some of her favorite places to be in Boston are at the Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts, Museum of Fine Arts, Amorino Gelato on Newbury Street, and Liuyishou Hotpot in Chinatown.

Snehalkumar 'Neil' S. Gaikwad G

Neil Gaikwad is a doctoral scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in human-centered machine learning and social computing for sustainability. He develops human-AI interaction algorithms and social computing mechanisms to study, model, and (re-) design socio-technical systems for sustainable development, analyzing large-scale datasets emerging from social processes, Earth remote sensing satellites, and socio-economic interactions.

Neil is a practicing photographer and progressive rock guitarist. His 2018 exhibition “Beyond the Boundaries” examines the nature’s physical and social processes through the lens of fine-art photography and remote sensing satellites, and inspires innovations in emerging field of Human-centered Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability. The exhibition showcases the complexities of our planet, including 3,000 years old melting glacier landscapes in Alaska, food security and farmers life in the Western Ghats in India, Desserts in New Mexico, through the fine artwork conducted for over a half a decade. It also includes the artwork published in National Geographic.

For more details about Neil Gaikwad and his work please visit Explore the Planet Earth, Neil Gaikwad Photography, and Twitter.

Jenny Gao '22

Jenny is an undergraduate studying computer science. In her free time, she loves to draw and experiment with various media, from charcoal to oil paints.

Danny Gelman ‘20

Danny is an undergraduate studying Comparative Media Studies and Computer Science. Danny loves making art out of almost anything, from acrylic and oil paints to fabric and yarn. On his free time he enjoys making art while listening to musical soundtracks, obsessing over Steven Universe, and knitting. He loves telling stories and wants to learn more about conveying them through visual media like animation and augmented reality. 

Allan Gelman ‘20

Allan is an undergraduate studying Comparative Media Studies and Computer Science. He absolutely loves making art, including fiber arts (like knitting plushies or sewing fabric portraits), traditional art (like drawings, paintings and watercolors), and most recently 2-D animations. He first dipped his toes into the world of augmented reality by making his AR animation for the mural he made as part of the Borderline Project, and would love to continue exploring animation in the future. On his free time, he adores watching Steven Universe and Studio Ghibli movies, and listening to the soundtrack of The Great Comet on repeat. 

Helen He '20

Helen is a junior studying computer science and physics. She originally began creating art drawing people on a laptop trackpad, but has since acquired a real tablet and grown fond of watercolors, oil paints, and expansive murals. She also plays violin with MIT Chamber Music Society and can often be found hunched over a laptop blasting Mahler or the Ring cycle. Among other things, she enjoys indie pop, fountain pens, makeup, and following professional League of Legends.

Annie Hudson G

Annie is a dual-degree masters student in MIT’s Urban Studies & Planning and Science in Transportation departments. Her research focuses on city planning for autonomous vehicles. Prior to her time at MIT, she worked for several years as an energy policy analyst and researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, honing an expertise on energy transitions in Europe as well as ‘frontier’ energy innovations. She has sung professionally with The Washington Chorus, Seattle Pro Musica and the Seattle Symphony Chorale. When not singing or studying transportation, she can be found voraciously consuming literature or discussing art. She received her bachelors in world politics and German literature from Hamilton College. Annie is currently a fellow with the MIT Automated Mobility Policy Project.

Talia Khan '20

Talia Khan, an Arizona native, is a senior at MIT. She has double majors in Course 3 (Materials Science and Engineering) and 21M (Music). Talia studies vocal jazz through the Emerson Arts Fellowship and performs in the MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She has also appeared in many professional musical theater performances and is a student of classical voice.

Grace Kuffner '20

Grace Kuffner is a senior double-majoring in biology and theater arts. On the biology side, she is broadly interested in the intersection between basic science research and clinical applications as it relates to medically underserved populations, and hopes to pursue an MD-PhD after graduation. On the theater side, Grace loves all kinds of acting, especially Shakespeare, and is president of the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble and a member of the MIT Musical Theater Guild. In the past year, she has been seen onstage as Feste in the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble’s “Twelfth Night”; Child/Disease in Alight Theatre Guild’s “The Elm Tree”; Laura in MIT Theater Arts’ reading of “The Glass Menagerie”; and Jaden in the MIT Musical Theater Guild’s “The Jade Bracelet.”

Ohyoon Kwon '20

Ohyoon communicates her thoughts and feelings through her art, usually in paint medium. Ohyoon is Korean. She spent her middle school and high school years in New Jersey. 

Laura Perovich G

Laura Perovich is a PhD student in the Object Based Media group at the MIT Media Lab. Her research focuses on re-imagining the relationship between citizens and scientists through ubiquitous computing and artistic, emotionally-resonant approaches to data interaction. She is a textile artist, creating quilts, clothing, and handmade fabrics. She also enjoys ballroom and latin dancing.

Daniel Oran G

Daniel Oran is a graduate student in the Media Lab’s Synthetic Neurobiology group and holds a BA in photography and natural science from Hampshire College. Previously Daniel worked as an artist, archivist, and printmaker, before starting his own printmaking business. As an artist he explores the boundaries of what defines Photography (light-drawing) and works to create unique artistic practices by manipulating forms of light and photographic materials. In making his artwork Daniel takes on the roles of sculptor, painter, scientist, and inventor coupled with that of a photographer. With this work he aims to explore the fundamental reactions of the psyche to imagery that, while abstract, is representative of the forces that comprise the world. As a scientist/engineer in the Media Lab, Daniel now works on developing a method for the rapid prototyping of three dimensional nanotechnologies. He hopes to use this work to create a platform for the research and development of photonic crystals and optical metamaterials; ultimately, allowing for the manipulation of light to a degree never before possible. 

Max Langenkamp '21

Max Langenkamp is an undergraduate studying Computer Science, with a concentration in Creative Writing. He is especially interested in technology policy, and runs a monthly newsletter called Machines + Society.
His current research revolves around modeling human morality using reinforcement learning at the Tenenbaum Lab. In his spare time, he loves reading the New Yorker, watching east-Asian cinema, and dreaming up plot ideas.

Nicole L’Huillier G

Nicole L’Huilier is a transdiciplinary artist, musician, and architect from Santiago, Chile.  She is currently based in Boston as a PhD researcher at the MIT MIT Media Lab, Opera of the Future group.  Her work explores spatial experience, perception and the relationship between sound & space, based on the idea of sound as a construction material.  She works at the intersection of art, music, architecture, science, and technology in order to open questions about possible futures, redefine how we perceive our world, and most importantly: trigger connection and empathy between human and non-human agents.  She is also an experimental musician, drummer, synth lover and one-half of the space pop duo Breaking Forms.

Ivy Li '20

Ivy is an undergraduate studying physics and literature, both stemming from an aesthetic appreciation of the universe and the human condition. After taking AP Art Studio in high school, Ivy discovered the wonders of watercolor, and has since then been creating surrealistic watercolor pieces depicting morphed human bodies. When not working on art, Ivy analyzes data from the Galactic Center, writes movie reviews for The Tech, shoots rifles, and collects vinyl records.

Sharon Lin '21

Sharon Lin is an undergraduate studying electrical engineering and computer science, with an intended minor in Art, Culture, and Technology. She has worked in the Media Lab Design Fiction Group, and is an officer for the MIT Animation Group. Her past experiences include serving as the New York City Youth Poet Laureate and and a poetry reader for Polyphony HS. She is also involved in the Student Cable Club and was selected as a Tribeca Film Fellow. She is interested in creative nonfiction, filmmaking, and animation.

Nina Lutz G

Nina M. Lutz is currently a graduate student at the Media Lab. She holds a B.Sc in Computer Science with Design from MIT. She works on interactive, immersive, and empowering experiences for identity and how we can archive and experience human identity. She loves contemporary art and cries every time she goes to Mass MoCA. She also loves light art and frequents studio nights at the MIT Museum Studio.

Devin Murphy '22

Devin is a sophomore at MIT double majoring in 6-2 (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and Music. Devin was a part of an exploratory arts seminar during his Freshman year at MIT, where he thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different arts opportunities at MIT and around Boston. He has studied violin for over 10 years and now is a part of MIT’s oldest co-ed acapella group, the Chorallaries of MIT. Devin is interested in how technology can enhance the ways in which we experience art.

Martin Nisser G

Martin is a PhD student in the Human-Computer Interaction Engineering Group at MIT. His research interests lie at the intersection of fabrication and robotics, and in particular on how to democratize fabrication of complex devices to everyday people. Before coming to MIT, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh and ETH Zurich before spending time at Tesla Motors, Harvard University and the European Space Agency. Martin is particularly excited about exploring things related to drawing, painting, and classical music.

Anastasia Ostrowski G

Anastasia is a graduate student in the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab, where she explores older adults desires, opinions, and design around social robots for interactions, such as social connection or emotional wellness, through long-term codesign. Her work centers around empowering under-represented populations in technology development, such as older adults, to design social robots and advocating for more human-centered, mixed-method approaches in technology design. Before studying at MIT, Anastasia non-linearly progressed through biomedical engineering, human-centered elementary engineering curriculums, and ideation tools and approaches in undergraduate and masters’ degrees at the University of Michigan. She also enjoys rock-climbing, laser cutters, and vinyl machines.

Nolan Peard '20

Nolan is a physics major focusing on quantum chemistry and nanotechnology. His current research with Grossman Group explores the electron transport properties of quantum dot thin films. Nolan studies cello performance with his teacher at New England Conservatory and performs with the MIT Chamber Music Society and Emerson Scholars, among others. He is also interested in pottery, string instrument restoration, and German language.

Ryan Ravanpak G

Ryan Ravanpak is a PhD candidate in the department of linguistics and philosophy. His research focuses mostly on issues in moral psychology, ethics, and metaphysics. But he also has substantial interests in literature, history, and aesthetics. Before MIT, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He happened to live in the same neighborhood as a number of beat poets, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. He thought this was inspiring. In his free time, he enjoys the pursuit of musical and creative things. Lately, he’s been especially interested in formal music composition.

Aruna Sankaranarayanan G

Aruna is a graduate student at the Viral Communications group at the MIT Media Lab, where she works on decentralised networks and systems. Apart from networks, she is really interested in maps, open access, the Internet, and free software. She comes to the MIT Arts Scholars program with a background in Carnatic music, and a penchant for Indian Bhakti poetry.

Sunanda Sharma G

Sunanda Sharma is a graduate student in the Mediated Matter Group in the Media Lab. Her research focuses on creating functional products that incorporate living organisms or their properties. She is interested in the history and practice of scientific illustration, and is learning to represent life through watercolor, sketching, high resolution imaging, and digital illustration. In her free time, she spends nearly all of her time and money on traveling, and the rest on baking. 

Taylor Shaw '20

Taylor has been at MIT since 2012, and a member of the Art Scholars since 2013. She took a leave of absence from MIT and was proud to rejoin to the Art Scholars when she returned. Taylor is an undergrad majoring in computational biology, and is concentrating in medieval studies. She enjoys arts of all kinds. Taylor especially enjoys sketching and watercolor. She also loves visiting museums and watching live music.

Eva Smerekanych '23

Eva Smerekanych is an undergraduate studying Physics and Art & Design. She is fascinated by the intersections of the two fields and using art to enhance one’s understanding and appreciation of physics. Eva is passionate about understanding the universe, and asking questions about its origins and ultimate destiny. She enjoys sculpting, painting, drawing, and design. You can find one of her murals in the tunnels under MIT’s building 66. She enjoys the community and interactions cultivated through the arts and looks forward to exploring more of the art around MIT and Boston.

Mary Beth Wagner G

Mary Beth is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, studying environmentally-friendly ways of refining and recycling precious metal. She also has a side project studying “wootz” steel, an ancient Middle Eastern type of sword legendary for its beauty and hardness. She enjoys fiber art (felting, crocheting, knitting, and weaving- especially plaid!) and when not at the loom she likes to write poetry and listen to different covers/interpretations of songs she likes. She also really loves nautical history/pirates, and she has a .gif for every possible situation.

Catherine Wong G

Catherine Wong is a graduate student at MIT studying computational cognitive science. Her fiction has appeared in publications including Shenandoah, Bayou Magazine, and the Chicago Quarterly Review, and she has made audio with the wonderful podcast people at State of the Human and WNYC. In another life, she biked across America, which she did not recommend in the moment but does now.

Jessica Xu '21

Justin Yu G

Justin is an MEng student in EECS. He is especially passionate about landscape, street and event photography but also loves exploring past those bounds. Outside of photography, he is passionate about the outdoors, biking and cooking. He dreams of traveling to take photos and learn about the foods of every region of the world.

Alice Zhang '21

Alice is an undergraduate studying Computer Science and biology. She is passionate about both art and art history, and the painting that got her into art history was probably the “Garden of Earthly Delights” by Bosch. She comes from the suburbs of NJ where her neighbors owned a llama farm and where she spent lots of time outside drawing and painting. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, dance, spend time with people, and discover new music for her weekly radio show.

Brinley Zhao '23

Brinley Zhao is an undergraduate student at MIT, expected to graduate in 2023. She intends to Major in joint major of Computer Science and Comparative Media Study, with the direction of game development. In her free time, she likes to spend time on digital painting (computer graphics) as well as practice on some concept art.

Jonathan Zong G

Jonathan Zong is a visual artist and computer scientist interested in the imperfect ways that interface design makes people and systems legible to each other. He is currently a graduate researcher at MIT CSAIL, where he is pursuing a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction. Jonathan graduated from the Visual Arts and Computer Science departments at Princeton University in 2018.

Not Pictured

• Dylan Cable
• Kasturi Shah
• Anna Waldman-Brown