John Ochsendorf is a structural engineer with multi-disciplinary research interests including structural design, masonry mechanics, and engineering history . Trained in structural engineering at Cornell, Princeton, and the University of Cambridge, he conducts research on the assessment of existing structures and the design of new structures. In addition to his academic work, he is a founding partner at the structural engineering consultancy Ochsendorf DeJong & Block, LLC.

Rory holds a Masters of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT and a B.Eng from University College Cork, Ireland. He has worked as a structural engineer, and his doctoral research focuses on developing optimization-based conceptual design tools for structural engineers, with a particular emphasis on bridging the gap between optimization researchers and practicing structural engineers. For more information, please visit his personal website.

Samar earned her BS in Civil Engineering and minor in Mathematical Sciences from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her MS at MIT with Professor Bathe in finite element modeling of plates and shells for both statics and dynamics. Samar's current research is on the mechanics of grid shells.

Caitlin earned an undergraduate degree in Architecture from MIT and an MS in Structural Engineering from Stanford University. She has worked in both fields, including several years as a structural engineer at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger. Her current research encompasses both aspects of her background, focusing on tools for the conceptual design of structures using interactive evolutionary algorithms.

Professor Connor's areas of specialization include computational mechanics, structural analysis, motion based structural design, and novel design methodologies for structural systems. In his nearly fifty years as a faculty member at MIT, he has taught courses in the fields of computational mechanics and structural engineering, and has been active in research. He also directs the High-Performance Structures Master of Engineering program. He is a registered professional structural engineer in Massachusetts and has received numerous awards and honours in the field of numerical structural mechanics. He is also the principal author of many books and served as an editor for numerous proceedings, as well as published an extensive list of technical papers.

Ed is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a recipient of the Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education. He has taught at the University of Oregon, Yale University, University of California - San Diego, Montana State University, Liverpool University, University of Washington, and MIT. He is the designer of more than 50 constructed buildings. His books are read and used in universities and professional offices throughout the world.