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Four new educators become part of the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) this autumn, providing the MIT community with creativity, expertise, and scholarship across various disciplines.
“These individuals significantly enhance the strength and breadth of our faculty,” states Hashim Sarkis, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. “We look forward to the academic dynamism they contribute to research and instruction.”
Karrie G. Karahalios ’94, MEng ’95, SM ’97, PhD ’04 joins the MIT Media Lab as a full professor of media arts and sciences. Karahalios is an innovator in examining social media and how individuals communicate in contexts increasingly influenced by algorithms that, as she has articulated, “mold the world surrounding us.” Her research intersects computing, systems, artificial intelligence, anthropology, sociology, psychology, game theory, design, and infrastructure studies. Karahalios’ efforts have earned her numerous accolades including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, SIGMOD Best Paper Award, and recognition as an ACM Distinguished Member.
Pat Pataranutaporn SM ’18, PhD ’20 joins the MIT Media Lab as an assistant professor of media arts and sciences. An insightful technologist, scientist, and designer, Pataranutaporn delves into the realm of human-AI interaction, creating and exploring AI systems that foster human flourishing. His research emphasizes how tailored AI systems can enhance human cognition, encompassing learning and decision-making, self-growth, reflection, and overall well-being. Pataranutaporn will co-direct the Advancing Humans with AI Program.
Mariana Popescu joins the Department of Architecture as an assistant professor. Popescu is a computational architect and structural designer with a profound interest and experience in innovative approaches to fabrication processes and material usage in construction. Her specialization lies in computational and parametric design, concentrating on digital fabrication and sustainable design. Her extensive participation in sustainability-related projects has facilitated a multifaceted skill development that merges architecture, engineering, computational design, and digital fabrication. Popescu obtained her doctorate from ETH Zurich. She was recognized as a “Pioneer” on the MIT Technology Review global list of “35 innovators under 35” in 2019.
Holly Samuelson joins the Department of Architecture as an associate professor in the Building Technology Program at MIT, teaching courses in architectural technology. Her teaching and research emphasize building design issues that affect human and environmental health. Her ongoing projects leverage advanced building simulations to analyze concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, heat vulnerability, and indoor environmental quality, while contemplating the future of buildings in an evolving electricity grid. Samuelson has co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, receiving a best paper award from the journal Energy and Building. As a recognized authority in architectural technology, she has been featured in media outlets like The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, the BBC, and The Wall Street Journal. Samuelson obtained her doctor of design from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
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