Work with thought leaders and academic experts from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Researchers on NotedSource with connections to Massachusetts Institute of Technology include Jordan Harrod, Artem Timoshenko, Ph.D., Serena Booth, Jonas Nahm, Bilal Azhar, Zahra Jamal, Issam Mudawar, Alex K. Shalek, Elee Shimshoni, Connor Duffy, Dr. Amy Finn, Ph.D., Morgan Edwards, Joan V. Joseph, Faris Saah, Alex Holland, PhD, Vivek Singh, Dhritiman Das, Ph.D., Nai-Chang Yeh, Dr. Tushar Krishna, Yuan Yang, Athul Prasad, Lee Weinstein, Leilani Gilpin, Catherine Tucker, Dr. Mario Caicedo, Dr. Thomas W. Coyle, Sc.D., Raman Ganti, Michael Thate, Juanita Hidalgo, Jiang Wang, Hanna Breetz, Zhengmao Lu, Arny Leroy, Ganapathy Sriram, Ph.D., Kelvin M. Frazier, Ph.D., Alexa D'Ambra, Ph.D., Anna Rock, Timothy Swager, Brandon Reynante, Dr. Ethan Arnault Ph.D., Rubi Rajbanshi Soares, Guohao Dai, Madeleine Laitz, Skye Ngo, Bavand Keshavarz, Raul Garcia-Martin, Alireza Hajian, David Pratt, PE, Adrienne Hunter Wong, and Christopher Bader, Ph.D..

Jordan Harrod

Boston
PhD Candidate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PhD Candidate / August, 2018Present

Self-Employed

AI Consultant / 2021Present

Research Expertise
neuroscience
anesthesia
connectomics
deep learning
About
Jordan Harrod is a highly educated and experienced individual in the fields of medical engineering and medical physics. She received her Ph.D. in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics from the prestigious Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology in 2025. Prior to this, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University in 2018. Currently, Jordan is a PhD candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she is conducting cutting-edge research in the intersection of medicine and engineering. She is also a skilled AI consultant, using her expertise to assist businesses and organizations with implementing artificial intelligence solutions. Throughout her education and career, Jordan has gained a deep understanding of the complexities of medical technology and the importance of precision and innovation in this field. She is a dedicated and driven individual who is constantly seeking ways to improve healthcare through technology. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Jordan is also passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity in the STEM fields. She actively mentors and supports young women and underrepresented minorities, encouraging them to pursue careers in science and engineering. Overall, Jordan Harrod is a highly accomplished and talented individual with a strong passion for using technology to improve the lives of others. Her education, experience, and dedication make her a valuable asset to any organization in the medical engineering and medical physics fields.

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Jonas Nahm

Professor of Energy, Resources, and Environment at Johns Hopkins University
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

About
I am an Associate Professor at the [Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)](https://www.sais.jhu.edu/) in Washington, DC. My research interests lie in comparative political economy, at the intersection of climate policy, environmental politics, and economic and industrial policy. Clean energy transitions—the move away from fossil fuels for instance through the use of renewable energy and the electrification of the global auto sector—are changing domestic and international politics in real time. Against this background, my research uses the analytical tools of political science to examine what drives such state responses to climate change and to identify political obstacles to government attempts to decarbonize domestic economies. Specifically, my work builds on insights from comparative politics and comparative political economy to study how economic coalitions—and the actions of firms in particular—structure the dynamics of clean energy transitions. At the same time, my research takes advantage of such transitions as especially useful laboratories to build and refine theory, as they bring together rapid technological change, interest group conflict between emerging industries and legacy sectors, and degrees of state intervention in the economy rarely witnessed outside of the context of late industrialization.  My research agenda now spans three separate but interrelated strands: (a) green industrial policy and the drivers of the division of labor in the global economy, (b) sources of state capacity to overcome external opposition to clean energy transitions and climate policy, and (c) the political economy of green growth. My book *[Collaborative Advantage: Forging Green Industries in the New Global Economy](http://www.jonasnahm.com/book.html)* (Oxford University Press 2021) examines the development of the wind and solar industries, two historically important sectors that have long been the target of ambitious public policy.

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Bilal Azhar

Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science with several notable publications in materials properties research
Education

Cornell University

PhD Candidate, Department of Materials Science and Engineering / May, 2026 (anticipated)

Ithaca, New York, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors of Science, Physics / May, 2020

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors of Science , Materials Science and Engineering / May, 2020

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cornell University

M.S., Materials Science / December, 2023

Ithaca, New York, United States of America
Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Researcher / January, 2017June, 2020

Investigated electronic and optical properties of various inorganic materials

Cornell University

PhD Researcher / August, 2020Present

Investigated novel interconnect materials

Research Expertise
Materials Science
Metamaterials
Atomic Layer Deposition
Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Sputtering
And 2 more
About
Bilal Azhar is a highly educated and experienced individual in the field of materials science and engineering. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering. During his time at MIT, he conducted research in various areas of materials science, gaining valuable experience and knowledge. After completing his undergraduate studies, Bilal pursued a Master's degree in Materials Science from Cornell University, where he further honed his skills and expertise in the field. He is currently a PhD candidate at Cornell University, with an expected graduation date in 2026. His research focuses on the development and characterization of new materials for various applications. Bilal has also gained valuable experience as a researcher at MIT and as a PhD researcher at Cornell University. He has published several papers in reputable journals and has presented his research at various conferences. His dedication and passion for materials science have led him to continuously seek new challenges and contribute to the advancement of the field. In addition to his academic and research pursuits, Bilal is also actively involved in community outreach programs, where he shares his knowledge and passion for materials science with others. He believes in the importance of making science and engineering accessible to all and hopes to inspire future generations to pursue careers in these fields. With his strong educational background and extensive research experience, Bilal Azhar is well-equipped to tackle the challenges and contribute to the progress of materials science and engineering. He is a driven and dedicated individual who is committed to making a positive impact in his field and beyond.

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Zahra Jamal

Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, overseeing strategy, operations, and outreach
Experience

Rice University

Associate Director, Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance / July, 2015Present

Run strategy & operations for international, premier research institute on the study and advancement of religious tolerance. Expanded religious inclusion & interfaith leadership education policies, programs at Rice, eg YoY o Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. Advise & train government, corporate, and nonprofit leaders on including religion & belief in diversity & inclusion agendas. Expanded programming held by 800%, overall attendance by 2600%. Expanded media reach to 200+M people. Procured 80+ institutional partners; personally trained directly or indirectly 1M government, corporate, education, and faith sector leaders at local, state, and national levels. Addressed 300 leaders from 50+ nations at invitation of Ambassador Brownback, State Dept. & Former UK PM Tony Blair. Addressed G-20 IF Summit. Featured on BBC, ABC, NYT, German press, CBS’s Hidden Heroes, Slate, Religion News, Think Progress, Freedom’s Ring, Interfaith Youth Core. Recognized by Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer, President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, the Alliance for Compassion and Tolerance, Rice’s Hudspeth Award. Secured Institute’s recognition in The Atlantic, National Geographic, World Architects, Saudi Aramco World, Charter for Compassion, State Dept, Congress, UNHCR.

Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Fellow

Assistant Director, Center for the Study of American Muslims

University of Chicago

Senior Research Associate, Dept of Political Science & Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality

Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for USA

Director of Strategy & Research

USAID

Gender Specialist

University of Chicago

Mellon Fellow, Dept of Anthropology & Center for Gender Studies

Michigan State University

Program Director, Central Asia and International Development

Assistant Professor at Michigan State University James Madison College

Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan

International Research Lead: Marginalized Populations

Aga Khan Social Welfare Board for USA

Director of Strategy and Operations

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lecturer in Anthropology

Harvard University

Lecturer in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies

The Aga Khan Academies

Ethnographic Consultant: International Education

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University

Research Analyst & Consultant: Global Youth Issues & Social Media

The Aspen Institute

Expert Research Analyst & Consultant: Civic Engagement

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Research Analyst & Consultant: Human Rights

About
Dr. Zahra Nasiruddin Jamal is Associate Director at Rice University's Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, where she oversees strategy, operations, and outreach. She has served on the faculty at Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, Michigan State University (MSU), and Palmer Trinity. Dr. Jamal founded and directed the Civil Islam Initiative at University of Chicago and the Central Asia and International Development Initiative at MSU. She was previously Associate Director of the Center for the Study of American Muslims at The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), where she is currently a Fellow. Dr. Jamal has consulted for the UN, State Department, Aga Khan Development Network, Swiss Development Cooperation, and Aspen Institute on issues of philanthropy and civic engagement, education, positive youth development, migrant labor, gender-equity, food security, and refugee settlement in North America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. She has published in academic and popular venues, including *I Speak for Myself*, a volume of autobiographical accounts of 40 American Muslim women leaders, which has been positively reviewed by Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Deepak Chopra, and others. Dr. Jamal received a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, and double B.A. in Slavic Studies and in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from Rice. She joined the Institute in 2015.

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Alex K. Shalek

J. W. Kieckhefer Professor - IMES, Chemistry, and Koch Institute, MIT; Institute Member, Broad Institute; Member, Ragon Institute
Experience

Broad Institute

Institute Member / July, 2019Present

Associate Member / July, 2014June, 2019

Postdoctoral Fellow - Regev Lab / June, 2011June, 2014

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

J. W. Kieckhefer Professor, Institute for Medical Engineering & Science and Department of Chemistry / July, 2023Present

Extramural Member of the Koch Institute / January, 2018Present

Core Member of the Institute for Medical Engineering & Science / July, 2014Present

Assistant Professor of Chemistry / July, 2014June, 2019

Associate Professor of Chemistry / July, 2019June, 2023

Massachusetts General Hospital

Assistant / July, 2014Present

Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology

Instructor / July, 2014Present

Ragon Institute

Associate Member / July, 2014June, 2018

Member / July, 2018Present

Harvard University

Postdoctoral Fellow - Park Lab / June, 2011June, 2014

Research Expertise
single-cell genomics
micro- and nanotechnology
infectious diseases
cancer
autoimmunity
About
Alex K. Shalek, PhD, is the J. W. Kieckhefer Professor in the Institute for Medical Engineering & Science and the Department of Chemistry, and an Extramural Member of The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.  He is also an Institute Member of the Broad Institute, a Member of the Ragon Institute, an Assistant in Immunology at MGB, and an Instructor in Health Sciences & Technology at HMS. Dr. Shalek received his bachelor's degree *summa cum laude* from Columbia University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University in chemical physics under the guidance of Hongkun Park, and performed postdoctoral training under Hongkun Park and Aviv Regev (Broad/MIT). His lab’s research is directed towards the development and application of new approaches to elucidate cellular and molecular features that inform tissue-level function and dysfunction across the spectrum of human health and disease. Dr. Shalek and his work have received numerous honors including a NIH New Innovator Award, a Beckman Young Investigator Award, a Searle Scholar Award, a Pew-Stewart Scholar Award, the Avant-Garde (DP1 Pioneer) Award from the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry, as well as the 2019-2020 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award at MIT and the 2020 HMS Young Mentor Award.

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Elee Shimshoni

Postdoctoral Associate at MIT working on complex human cell models for drug discovery
Experience

MIT

Postdoctoral Associate / November, 2022Present

• Developed 2D and 3D primary human cell-based disease models for studying obesity and atherosclerosis. • Trained and mentored research technicians and students on cell culture, molecular biology techniques and experimental design. • Collaborated with chemists and computational biologists to test novel therapeutics and targets using cell-based models.

Harvard University

Postdoctoral Fellow / August, 2019November, 2022

• Led a project aimed at studying the role of the stroma in the progression from Barrett’s Esophagus to Esophageal Cancer, as part of an international collaboration of clinical and academic partners. • Developed two distinct Esophagus Chip models using human primary cells, both containing a 3D stromal compartment: One of the normal esophagus and one of Barrett’s Esophagus. • Collaborated with Emulate, Inc. as a beta user of their new organ-on-a-chip design and provided feedback leading to improvements to the design that was eventually brought to the market. • Advised collaborators on techniques and subject matters within my domains of expertise, including inflammatory bowel disease, extracellular matrix, and organs-on-chips. • Summarized my work at the Ingber Lab in a first-author publication.

Weizmann Institute of Science

Graduate Student / November, 2011August, 2019

• Led a multi-collaborator multidisciplinary team to study and characterize changes in the extracellular matrix that predict colitis, spanning a wide range of analytical approaches. • Authored two first-author publications and a book chapter on extracellular matrix biology in colitis. • Contributed to three other publications in the lab by carrying out imaging, analyses, and writing. • Mentored collaborators and junior students in the lab on animal models, imaging, proteomics, and data analysis techniques, as well as on their English writing skills by reviewing theses and manuscripts.

Research Expertise
extracellular matrix
3D cell culture
inflammation
tumor microenvironment
fibroblasts
And 13 more
About
Elee is a postdoctoral associate at the Department of Chemistry and CSAIL at MIT, working on developing complex cell models for drug discovery. Elee has been studying gastrointestinal diseases for the past 10 years, and is interested in stromal and especially extracellular matrix biology. Elee believes that in order to treat human disease, we must look to the microenvironment for therapeutic targets. Elee is also passionate about science communication and views it as an inseparable part of a scientist's role in society. Currently, she serves as the Scientific Director, and regularly writes for, the non-profit organization "Little, Big Science", which is one of Israel's most popular science communication platforms. Previously, Elee was a postdoc at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, working on organs-on-chips models for Inflammation and Cancer. Elee received her PhD and my MSc from the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she studies the role of the extracellular matrix in inflammatory bowel disease. Prior to that, Elee received my BSc in Biology and Psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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Morgan Edwards

Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin--Madison and Director of the Climate Action Lab
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Data, Systems, and Society / June, 2017

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

S.M., Technology and Policy / June, 2013

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

B.S., Environmental Science and Economics / December, 2010

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
Research Expertise
Climate Policy
Energy Systems
Industrial Ecology
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
And 12 more
About
Morgan Edwards is an Assistant Professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin--Madison and affiliated faculty with the Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, Energy Analysis and Policy Program, Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies, Institute for Research on Poverty, and Data Science Institute. Her research focuses on modeling the role of technology in addressing the threat of climate change and assessing policies to accelerate equitable energy transitions. Her current projects include modeling the role of climate-tech in meeting net zero targets, evaluating the equity impacts of building electrification policies, and assessing pathways to transition natural gas infrastructure. She holds a PhD in Data, Systems, and Society from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a SM in Technology and Policy from MIT, and a BS in Environmental Science and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to coming to Madison, she was a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland.

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Alex Holland, PhD

Broadly experienced advanced instrument product development - signal processing, algorithms, & software, strategic management, best papers and product awards
Education

PhD Applied Mathematics

Claremont, California, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

BS Electrical Engineering

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
Research Expertise
machine learning
signal processing
biotechnology
medical devices
Biomedical Engineering
And 1 more
About
Dr. Alex Holland is an expert in applying machine learning, signal processing, and mathematics to provide product differentiation for advanced instruments and sensors, such medical monitors or biotechnology nano sensors. Throughout his academic and professional career, Dr. Holland has gained extensive experience in advanced instrument development. He has worked on a variety of projects, from developing algorithms for data analysis to designing and implementing mathematical models for signal processing and control, to the full practical embedded systems software implementations. He has also published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing his expertise and contributions to the field. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from a prestigious university and has a strong background in practical applications of mathematical concepts. Prior to obtaining his doctorate, Dr. Holland received his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also completed his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Holland is an avid researcher and enjoys exploring new and challenging engineering and mathematical problems. He is also dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience with others, mentoring students and giving lectures at various academic institutions. Dr. Holland has primarily worked in industry, supplying competitive advantage to many market leading products consisting of sensors, instruments, and medical devices. He has collaborated with companies in various sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and defense, providing valuable insights and solutions. With his strong background in both theoretical and applied mathematics, as well as his extensive experience, Dr. Holland is a valuable asset in any project or research endeavor. He continues to push the boundaries of engineering and is committed to making a positive impact in the field of applied mathematics.

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Vivek Singh

Rutgers Professor, MIT alum, CS PhD, AI expert
Experience

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Associate Professor / July, 2020Present

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Assistant Professor / September, 2014June, 2020

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Post-doctoral Associate / September, 2012August, 2014

Research Expertise
Human-centered Data Science
Human-centered AI
Computational Social Science
Behavioral Informatics
Algorithmic Fairness
And 20 more
About
Vivek Singh is a highly accomplished computer scientist and researcher. He earned his Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California Irvine in 2012. During his time at UC Irvine, he focused on research in the areas of natural language processing and machine learning. After completing his Ph.D., Singh joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a post-doctoral associate, where he worked on developing algorithms for large-scale data analysis and information retrieval. In 2014, Singh joined Rutgers University as a faculty member in Information Science and Computer Science. As a faculty member at Rutgers, he has published numerous papers in top computer science journals and conferences and has received several grants for his research. Singh's research interests include natural language processing, generative AI, and social computing. He has a particular interest in developing algorithms for analyzing large datasets and extracting valuable insights from them. His work has been applied to various domains, including social media, healthcare, and finance. He has multiple patents, and has experience consulting with early and late-stage (unicorn) startups. His work has led to multiple grants, awards, funding, patents, and deployed products.

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Dhritiman Das, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology : AI | Computer Vision | Signal Processing | Healthcare
Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Postdoctoral Researcher

Technical University of Munich

Scientific Staff / 20152020

GE Healthcare

Early Stage Researcher / 20152019

Siemens Limited

Computer Vision Intern / May, 2014August, 2014

Research Expertise
Machine Learning
Medical Image Analysis
Computer Vision
Signal Processing
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
And 10 more
About
Dhritiman Das is a highly accomplished computer scientist with a strong background in bioengineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich, where he focused on developing innovative machine learning algorithms for medical imaging applications. More specifically, he developed applied machine learning and computer vision tools for accelerated processing and analysis of large-scale brain imaging (MRSI) data. Prior to his doctoral studies, Dhritiman earned a Master of Science in Bioengineering from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology. Throughout his academic career, Dhritiman has demonstrated a strong passion for research and has published several papers in top computer science and biomedical engineering journals. He has also presented his work at numerous international conferences and workshops, gaining recognition from the scientific community. In addition to his academic achievements, Dhritiman has gained valuable industry experience through various internships and research positions. He has worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he collaborated with leading researchers to develop cutting-edge technologies for healthcare applications. His work here focused on self-supervised learning, generative models and neuroinformatics. He has also held positions at GE Healthcare and Siemens Limited, where he applied his expertise in information theory, computer vision and machine learning to solve real-world challenges in the field of medical imaging. Dhritiman is a skilled researcher and problem-solver with a strong background in both computer science and bioengineering. He is dedicated to using his knowledge and expertise to make a positive impact in the field of healthcare and beyond.

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Dr. Tushar Krishna

Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology. Expert in AI Hardware and distributed AI systems, interconnection networks, and computer architecture.
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science / June, 2014

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Princeton University

M.S.E., Electrical Engineering / August, 2009

Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

B.Tech., Electrical Engineering / August, 2007

New Delhi
Experience

Georgia Institute of Technology

Associate Professor (with tenure) / August, 2015Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Visiting Associate Professor / July, 2023July, 2024

Harvard University

Visiting Researcher / July, 2024Present

Intel

Design Engineer / November, 2013December, 2014

Research Expertise
Computer Architecture
Interconnection Networks
Network-on-Chip
Deep Learning Accelerators
About
Tushar Krishna is an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Georgia Institute of Technology, with a courtesy appointment in Computer Science. He held the ON Semiconductor (Endowed) Junior Professorship in ECE at Georgia Tech from 2019-2021. He has also been a visiting professor at MIT EECS + CSAIL, Harvard University CS and a researcher at Intel’s VSSAD group. He has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT (2014), a M.S.E in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University (2009), and a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi (2007).   Dr. Krishna’s research spans computer architecture, interconnection networks, networks-on-chip (NoC), and AI/ML accelerator systems – with a focus on optimizing data movement in modern computing platforms. His research is funded via multiple awards from NSF, DARPA, IARPA, SRC (including JUMP2.0), Department of Energy, Intel, Google, Meta/Facebook, Qualcomm and TSMC. His papers have been cited over 18,000 times. Three of his papers have been selected for IEEE Micro’s Top Picks from Computer Architecture, one more received an honorable mention, and four have won best paper awards.   Dr. Krishna was inducted into the HPCA Hall of Fame in 2022. At Georgia Tech, he has been honored by the “Class of 1940 Course Survey Teaching Effectiveness Award” in 2018, the “Roger P. Webb Outstanding Junior Faculty Award” from the School of ECE in 2021, the “Richard M. Bass/Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Junior Teacher Award” in 2023, and the “Roger P. Webb Outstanding Mid-career Faculty Award” from the School of ECE in 2024.   Dr. Krishna currently serves as an Associate Director for the Center for Research into Novel Computing Hierarchies (CRNCH) – a cross-disciplinary research center at Georgia Tech. He is also a co-chair of the Chakra Execution Traces and Benchmarks Working group within ML Commons.

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Dr. Mario Caicedo

Full Professor of Physics (Retired) at Universidad Simón Bolivar with publications in high energy theoretical physics, complex systems, and educaation
Experience

Universidad Simón Bolivar

Full Professor of Physics (Retired) / April, 1993Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Invited Scientists / September, 2001September, 2001

Georgia Institute of technology

Invited Scientist / September, 2009September, 2010

Research Expertise
Exploration Geophysics
Theoretical High energy physics
differential geometry and lie groups
quantum groups
complex systems
And 11 more
About
Dr. Mario Caicedo is a highly accomplished physicist with over 30 years of experience in the field. He earned his PhD in Physics from Universidad Simón Bolívar and his Licenciado (bachelor) in Physics from the same university in 1985. After completing his education, he went on to become a full professor of physics at his alma mater, where he taught and conducted research for many years. Dr. Caicedo's expertise lies in theoretical and computational physics, with a focus on condensed matter and statistical mechanics. His research has been published in numerous prestigious scientific journals, and he has presented his work at conferences and seminars around the world. In addition to his work at Universidad Simón Bolívar, Dr. Caicedo has also held positions as an invited scientist at top institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has collaborated with leading researchers in the field and has been recognized for his contributions to the scientific community. Despite his retirement from teaching, Dr. Caicedo continues to be actively involved in research and is a sought-after mentor and consultant for students and fellow scientists. He is known for his passion for physics and his dedication to advancing the field through his work.

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Dr. Thomas W. Coyle, Sc.D.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sc.D., Ceramic Science and Engineering / February, 1985

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Alfred University

B.S., Ceramic Science / June, 1979

Alfred, New York, United States of America

Alfred University

B.A., Chemistry / June, 1979

Alfred, New York, United States of America
Research Expertise
Deposition and characterization of advanced ceramic coatings. Characterization and analyses of microstructure, chemical and phase composition, and physical, electrical and mechanical properties.
About
**Thomas W. Coyle** has over 30 years of experience in understanding processing – structure – property relationships in ceramics and coatings. He holds a Sc.D. in Ceramic Science and Engineering from MIT and dual undergraduate degrees in Ceramic Science and Chemistry from Alfred University. After completing his education, Dr. Coyle joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. Coyle is a founding member and Associate Director of the Centre for Advanced Coating Technologies and has served as Vice Dean Undergraduate for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for Department of Materials Science and Engineering. With his colleagues in the Centre for Advanced Coating Technologies, he was awarded the Brockhouse Canada Prize by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In addition to his work at the University of Toronto, Dr. Coyle has also held visiting positions at institutions such as Korea University, Instituto de Ceramico y Vidrio, and the University of Tokyo. His research in recent years focuses on deposition and characterization of advanced ceramic coatings, particularly thermal sprayed coatings. Of particular interest are solution precursor plasma spray and aerosol deposition techniques, coupled with characterization and analyses of microstructure, chemical and phase composition, and physical, electrical and mechanical properties. He has published over 100 peer reviewed papers and conference proceedings and is a recognized authority in this area.

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Raman Ganti

Senior Machine Learning Scientist with Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry and Post-Doctoral experience in computational immunology.
Experience

Melonfrost

Senior Machine Learning Scientist / March, 2022August, 2023

Researching and implementing SOTA model-based deep reinforcement/active learning methods such as Adalead, Generative Flow Networks (GFlowNets) with Bayes Opt, and Model Predictive Control for optimal control of selection pressures within company’s bioreactors. Building production-quality (documented, tested, maintainable) python package of machine learning algorithms for strain engineering/optimization. Designing biophysical simulations of evolutionary dynamics and fitness landscapes to simulate bioreactor and test optimization methods. Developing in house simulation benchmarks, utilizing Ray to automate benchmark testing and hyper-parameter optimization on AWS, and logging output and model configs to wandb.

Deep Alpha

Machine Learning Engineer / March, 2021March, 2022

Built a cloud-based algorithmic trading system using deep learning methods. Adapting attention-based sequence to sequence models for time series forecasting. Researching deep reinforcement learning ‘actor-critic’ techniques for dynamic portfolio optimization. Finalist at Innospark Ventures AI pitch competition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Post-Doctoral Associate / April, 2018April, 2021

Project: Quantifying non-equilibrium behavior using neural network estimators. Keywords: neural networks, machine learning. Project: Designing optimal vaccination protocols. Keywords: kinetic Monte Carlo, information theory, chemical master equations. Project: Understanding how immune cells discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Keywords: ordinary differential equations, systems biology modeling, kinetic proofreading, channel capacity, mutual information.

University of Cambridge

Ph.D. Candidate / January, 2014January, 2018

Project: Deriving the theoretical origins of thermo- and diffusio-osmotic flow. Keywords: molecular dynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

Research Expertise
Condensed Matter Physics
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Biophysics
Surfaces and Interfaces
And 2 more
About
I've spent the past few years as a Machine Learning Scientist and Engineer. At Melonfrost, a synthetic biology startup, I employed deep generative modeling techniques such as Generative Flow Networks (GFlowNets) in a reinforcement/active learning setting and machine learning guided evolutionary algorithms like Adalead (Adapt-with-the-Leader) with the aim of directing the evolution of microbial populations within the company’s high-throughput system of bioreactors. These methods were originally developed to optimize DNA and protein sequence design as well as for applications in drug discovery. In addition to the ML research effort, I designed bespoke biophysical simulation benchmarks, utilized Ray to automate benchmark testing and hyper-parameter optimization on Amazon Web Services, and tracked experiments and model configs with Weights & Biases. As a Ph.D. student in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, I developed molecular dynamics simulations to make fundamental theoretical contributions towards understanding non-equilibrium nano-scale flow. Projects included some of the first non-equilibrium calculations of nanoscale flow profiles induced by temperature and chemical potential gradients. Subsequently, as a postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, I used methods from information theory to quantify immune cell signal discrimination between healthy and infected cells. I also developed kinetic Monte Carlo methods to optimize vaccination protocols against highly mutable pathogens. All of this work resulted in numerous publications.

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Zhengmao Lu

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Quantum Information / June, 2018

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MS, Mechanical Engineering / 2014

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Tsinghua University

BS, Mechanical Engineering / 2012

Beijing
Experience

MIT

Postdoctoral Researcher / October, 2019Present

Developed a robust and low-cost filtration membrane based on coal-derived graphene oxide. Established a transport-based model for bubble nucleation on gas evolving electrodes. Invented a hybrid thermal management scheme integrating evaporative cooling and radiative cooling. Designed an evaporation-insulation bilayer as a packaging material with extended cooling time

Research Expertise
Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Mechanical Engineering
Condensed Matter Physics
Mechanics of Materials
Electrochemistry
And 2 more
About
Hello! I'm Zhengmao Lu, an incoming Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at EPFL (starting in February 2023). I am looking to recruit one PhD student to work on fundamental thermofluids research and develop technologies for sustainable cooling in our lab. I am interested in gaining deeper understandings of liquid-gas interfacial transport and leveraging the fundamental knowledge to create high performace cooling solutions for electronics, buildings, and perishable goods. I like to combine experimental and modeling approaches to provide more comprehensive answers to research questions. I have a strong interest in converting lab research into commercializable products. I have previously participated in startup business programs such as [The Engine](https://www.engine.xyz/) and [NE I-Corps](https://innovation.mit.edu/resource/mit-i-corps/).

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Kelvin M. Frazier, Ph.D.

Professor in Chemistry/R&D Electrochemist/Independent Consultant
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ph.D., Chemistry / June, 2015

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Savannah State University

BS, Chemistry and Mathematics / May, 2010

Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
Research Expertise
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
And 5 more
About
Dr. Frazier is a highly motivated and self-driven researcher with exceptional organizational and time management abilities, allowing him to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks. His analytical and creative thinking, coupled with a discerning eye, enable him to contribute innovative and logical ideas to collaborative teams. In the realm of scientific and engineering expertise, Dr. Frazier excels in areas such as organic synthesis, advanced functional materials, and the fabrication of smart chips, demonstrating a diverse skill set. Beyond his scientific prowess, Dr. Frazier possesses a unique set of skills in music, including sound engineering (manipulating sound waves algorithmically), business and marketing development, and legal expertise in copyright and patent matters, which can seamlessly translate to various engineering roles. Dr. Frazier's extensive work experience spans academia, non-profit organizations, industry, startups, and consulting firms, making him a true hybrid professional with a one-of-a-kind combination of skills. Moreover, Dr. Frazier has a proven track record as a strong leader, with years of experience in guiding and leading teams, earning him multiple recognitions for his exceptional leadership qualities.

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Alexa D'Ambra, Ph.D.

PhD in Neuroscience with research experience in motor and motivational learning, neuro-immunology, autism, and attention, and language acquisition
Experience

University of California Davis

Graduate Researcher / September, 2017June, 2023

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Technician

Research Expertise
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Developmental Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience
Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
About
Alexa D'Ambra is a highly dedicated and accomplished neuroscientist with a strong background in both research and academia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cornell University in 2014 and obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of California, Davis in 2023. Additionally she has worked in research labs at Cornell University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Throughout her academic career, Alexa has been actively involved in research, with a focus psychology and neuroscience. She has performed experiments to investigate neural underpinnings of learning and motivation, attention, and language acquisition. She has developed analytical tools, performed statistical analyses on large electrophysiology, anatomical, and histological datasets, and is an expert in creating robust and aesthetic visualizations of results. She excels in in-depth literature review, documentation, and developing and editing communications for various audiences. She prides herself on remaining up-to-date on the latest neuroscience technology and keeping her thumb on the pulse of the biotech industry while keeping ties with her academic roots. Additionally, Alexa has had extensive experience advocating for and organizing DEIJ efforts in academia, including engaging in mentorship and developing workshops and seminars.

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Anna Rock

Research Assistant & Artist (Animal Models in Neuroscience) at Harvard University: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Experience

Harvard University Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

Research Assistant III / August, 2018December, 2020

Research Assistant III / August, 2018December, 2020

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Assistant / July, 2017February, 2018

Research Assistant / July, 2017February, 2018

Tufts University - Boston Campus

Research Technician / May, 2016May, 2017

Research Technician / May, 2016May, 2017

McLean Hospital/ Harvard Medical School

Reasearch Assistant II / December, 2014April, 2016

Reasearch Assistant II / December, 2014April, 2016

Mount Sinai Hospital

Summer Research Intern / June, 2014August, 2014

Summer Research Intern / June, 2014August, 2014

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Undergraduate Research Assistant & Commonwealth Honors Student / December, 2011August, 2013

Undergraduate Research Assistant / September, 2010November, 2011

Undergraduate Research Assistant & Commonwealth Honors Student / December, 2011August, 2013

Undergraduate Research Assistant / September, 2010November, 2011

Research Expertise
neuroscience
About
Anna Rock is a highly educated and experienced individual in the field of neuroscience and psychology. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience: Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013. During her time at UMass, she was also a Commonwealth Honors student. After graduating, she continued her education and earned another Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience: Psychology from UMass in 2013. Anna's professional experience includes working as a Research Assistant III at the Harvard University Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. In this role, she assisted in conducting research on biologically inspired engineering projects. She also worked as a Research Assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she contributed to various research projects in the fields of neuroscience and psychology. Anna's passion for research and her expertise in the field led her to work as a Research Technician at both Tufts University and McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Here, she gained valuable experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and writing research reports. She also had the opportunity to work as a Summer Research Intern at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she further honed her skills in the field of neuroscience. Throughout her academic and professional career, Anna has been recognized for her hard work and dedication, receiving numerous awards and honors. She is a driven individual who is always seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and expertise in the field of neuroscience, neuroendocrinology and psychology.

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Timothy Swager

Professor and Inventor
Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry / July, 1996Present

Research Expertise
Chemistry and Materials Science
About
![]()![]()Timothy M. Swager is the John D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A native of Montana, he received a BS from Montana State University in 1983 and a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in 1988.  After a postdoctoral appointment at MIT he was on the chemistry faculty at the University of Pennsylvania 1990-1996 and returned to MIT in 1996 as a Professor of Chemistry and served as the Head of Chemistry from 2005-2010.  He has published more than 550 peer-reviewed papers and more than 130 issued/pending patents. Swager’s honors include: Election to the National Academy of Sciences, an Honorary Doctorate from Montana State University, National Academy of Inventors Fellow, The Pauling Medal, The Lemelson-MIT Award for Invention and Innovation, Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The American Chemical Society Award for Creative Invention, The American Chemical Society Award in Polymer Chemistry, The Christopher Columbus Foundation Homeland Security Award, and The Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Chemistry Award (ACS). Swager’s research interests focus on soft materials and polymers for the design, synthesis, and study of organic-electronic, sensory, energy harvesting, membrane, high-strength, liquid crystalline, and colloid materials.  His liquid crystal designs demonstrated shape complementarity to generate specific interactions between molecules and includes fundamental mechanisms for increasing liquid crystal order by a new mechanism referred to as minimization of free volume. Swager’s research in electronic polymers has been mainly directed at the demonstration of new conceptual approaches to the construction of sensory materials.  These methods are the basis of the FidoTM explosives detectors (FLIR Systems Inc), which have the highest sensitivity of any explosives sensor.   Other areas actively investigated by the Swager group include radicals for dynamic nuclear polarization, applications of nano-carbon materials, organic photovoltaic materials, polymer actuators, separation membranes, and luminescent molecular probes for medical diagnostics.  He has (co)founded seven companies (DyNuPol, Iptyx, PolyJoule, C­2 Sense, ArO-X, MoxAir, and Xibus Systems) and has served on a number of corporate and government boards.

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Rubi Rajbanshi Soares

Experienced Sustainability Professional with over 15 years experience in environmental and product impacts
Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

B.S., Chemical Engineering / 2004

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Northwestern University

M.S., Environmental Engineering / 2008

Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
About
Rubi Rajbanshi Soares is a highly educated and experienced professional in the field of engineering and sustainability. **Rubi is skilled at ESG strategy including reaching SBTi goals, greenhouse gas inventories, life cycle analysis (LCA) calculations, and supporting companies with greening their supply chains.** Rubi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004. She continued her education at Northwestern University, where she obtained her Master's degree in Environmental Engineering in 2008. She has a deep understanding of chemical processes and their impact on the environment, as well as the principles of sustainable development and resource management. Throughout her career, Rubi has held various roles in the engineering and sustainability fields. She has worked as a Sustainability Manager at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, where she was responsible for developing and implementing sustainable practices and policies within transportation, including one of the first green roofs at the agency. She also served as the Director of Science at Vert Science, a company that specializes in understanding product footprints for apparel. Rubi is also a successful entrepreneur. She is the owner of Terrascope Consulting, a consulting firm that offers sustainability and environmental engineering solutions to businesses and organizations. She has helped clients such as Hershey, Philip Morris International, and Unilever to better understand their corporate and product footprints, and develop strategies that align with the ever changing world of sustainability. Rubi is known for her thorough, practical, and thoughtful approach to sustainability, and her ability to create bespoke solutions for clients.

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David Pratt, PE

Versatile, experienced metallurgical engineer with experiences in aerospace/defense and the energy sector.
Education

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

MEng, Energy Systems/Materials / December, 2017

Urbana, Illinois, United States of America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

SM, Materials Science & Engineering / September, 1994

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

BS, Metallurgical Engineering / 1992

Urbana, Illinois, United States of America

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

BA, Spanish / May, 1992

Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
About
David Pratt is a highly experienced engineer with a diverse background in materials science and energy systems. He holds a Master of Engineering in Energy Systems/Materials from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, David has worked in various roles such as Principal Technical Consultant at Nexight Group, Materials Engineer at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Senior Principal Engineer at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. He has also held positions at companies such as Boeing, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. Throughout his career, David has been involved in a wide range of projects and has expertise in areas such as materials selection, materials testing and analysis, and process development. He has also been actively involved in research and development in the field of energy systems, with a focus on renewable energy and sustainable materials. In addition to his technical expertise, David is also fluent in Spanish and has a strong understanding of international markets and cultures. This has allowed him to work effectively on global projects and collaborate with teams from diverse backgrounds. He is always seeking new challenges and opportunities to apply his knowledge and skills in innovative ways.

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