Project Openings

Below are currently advertised UROP projects available to MIT, CME and cross-registered Wellesley College undergraduates. All projects, regardless of mode (pay, credit, or volunteer) are expected to be worth MIT academic credit and be supervised by MIT faculty. Projects appear on this list in the order they have been received.

NOTE: These projects do not represent all available UROPs as many faculty do not submit project listings for this site. Rather, they expect interested students to contact them based on their general research to discuss potential UROPs.

Available UROPs

9/26/2008
Department: Materials Science and Engineering/ Chemical Engineering
Advisor: Prof. Michael F. Rubner / Prof. Robert E. Cohen
Supervisor: Dr. Pinar Kurt

STRUCTURAL COLOR

Some colors in nature do not come from material's inherent properties, but are as a result of light interference. This kind of color, called 'structural color,' can be seen in some species such as butterflies and beetles. We are investigating the methods and conditions for creating structural color using layer-by-layer assembly of various nanoparticles.

We are looking for a student who will participate in the research by preparing nanoparticle solutions and assembling them by automated spin dippers or sprays. Student will be trained to prepare nanoparticle solutions, using some instruments such as layer-by-layer dippers, UV-Vis spectroscopy and ellipsometer to be able to analyze.

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Pinar Kurt (pinar@mit.edu) for further questions and discussions.

9/18/2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Rosalind W. Picard

Communicating and sharing physiological information through
mobile phones and toys

Electrodermal Activity(EDA) and Heart Rate Variability are sensitive to emotional arousal and this physiological information can be used as an indicator of stress, excitement, calmness, etc. Intimate social partners can be connected together through their cell phones and share their physiological information. For example, they could wear wristband or wristwatch wearable sensors and these sensors could transmit the data through Bluetooth to the cell phone. The sensor data could also be transmitted to objects such as a necklace on a toy bear or a bracelet on a human so that these objects could represent the arousal level with proper changes in color. This application could be used for any social partners such as friends, family or classmates. But, in this application, we will focus on narrowing the chasm in communication between persons on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. For example, a person on the autism spectrum could let the teacher know his/her stress level or nervousness through the cell phone or bracelet. In order to protect the sensor wearer’s privacy, the sensor wearer should be able to control the permission to share the information. The project aims to develop the user interface on a mobile platform and a tangible object such as a watch that enables the users to have more control in communicating
their physiological information.

Prerequisites: C++ or Python, Mobile programming skill (especially Nokia phone)is preferable.

Contact: Kyunghee Kim, khkim@mit.edu

9/18/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemistry
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Sarah O'Connor

Chemical Biology/Enzyme Engineering

We seek an undergraduate student interested in research with knowledge and practical experience in microbiology or biochemistry. Part of the research will include constructing, screening and analyzing enzyme mutant libraries.

Contact: Please send resume to Sarah O'Connor, soc@mit.edu

9/18/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan/Economics/Brain and Cog Sci
Faculty Supervisor: Prof Drazen Prelec

Neural basis of Decision making

9/9/2008 Fall 2008 UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Saxe We will use fMRI and behavioral measures to examine how perception, emotions and personality variables affect decision making. UROPs will assist in data collection, running of the MRI scanner, data analysis, stimulus preparation, recruitment of subjects, subject testing, as well as programming experiments.

Prerequisites: An interest in psychology, neuroscience and neuroeconomics. Experience with Excel, MATLAB or other programming languages is very useful, but not required. Time-management skills. Long-term commitment is possible.

Contact: Danica Mijovic-Prelec, mijovic@mit.edu

9/18/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Energy Initiative
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. David H. Marks

Wavelet and neural network conjunction models for short term urban water demand forecasting in Nicosia, Cyprus

For the last several years, Cyprus has been facing an unprecedented water crisis. The accurate forecasting of short-term water demands, and in particular peak water demands, is necessary to help explore options that could resolve the problem. Using existing software, the UROP will help develop and compare multiple linear regression, artificial neural network, and wavelet and neural network conjunction models as methods for peak weekly water demand forecast modeling for the city of Nicosia, Cyprus. The first part of this project has led to an upcoming co-authored publication with a former UROP. The work can be done anywhere, with flexible hours.

Prerequisites: The student should be motivated and organized. Some MATLAB experience would be helpful, but not necessary.

Contact: Dr. Jan Adamowski, MIT Energy Initiative, adamowsk@mit.edu

9/17/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Gleason Lab, Chem Eng
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Karen Gleason

Validating new applications of iCVD

This project will give a UROP a hands on experience with a technology that forms the cornerstone of the micro fabrication industry namely CVD. Specifically, the UROP will get a basic understanding of initiated CVD for free radical polymerization and gain experimental skills which entails vacuum equipment, sensors and instrumentation and some chemical handling. These skills form the foundation for CVD and can be put to good use in research and manufacturing in the microelectronic, bio-medical, microfluidic and nano technology based industries where thin polymer films are put to use for various applications (electronic, drug delivery, separation, insulation to name a few). The UROP will get a feel for a systematic approach to research, planning experiments and cutting edge applications of chemical engineering.

Prerequisites: Would prefer someone with Chemical or Materials engineering background who is passionate about science and has a keen eye for new ideas for new applications. I hope to make the learning enjoyable and fascinating for the UROP for him/her to want to continue working with me for the next year or so,

Contact: Rama Sreenivasan: Post Doctoral Associate email : rsreeni@mit.edu.

9/17/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: CTSL
Faculty Supervisor: Charles M. Oman

Improved cab alerters for railroad locomotive cabs

As evidenced by the recent fatal commuter and freight train collision in California, maintaining locomotive engineer vigilance is a continuing problem. Positive Train Control systems are too expensive to field nationwide. Most US locomotives are equipped with alerting devices, but these are too easily defeated by learned automatic resetting behaviors. The US-DOT/Federal Railroad Administration is funding a field study of the effectiveness of fatigue detection technologies, and the development of a next generation cognitive alerter systems, involving software changes in existing systems, and possibly exploiting new machine vision technologies.

Prerequisites: 5-6 hours per week. Interest in rail operations. Some programming experience.

Contact: Charles M. Oman (Director, Man Vehicle Lab; coman@mit.edu) or Andrew M. Liu (amliu@mit.edu)

9/17/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Elazer Edelman

Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Vascular Biology

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are complex molecules consisting of a core protein covalently coupled to one or more glycosaminoglycan (sugar) chains. Our lab employs a multidisciplinary approach to studying the biology of these molecules within the context of vascular disease and injury. We are currently seeking students to participate in experiments involving the development of RNAi for gene knockdown, molecular techniques for gene manipulation, and experiments with transgenic animals.

Prerequisites: Interest in biology, dependable and detail oriented. Previous experience in cell/molecular biology preferred. Minimum of 10 hrs/wk time commitment.

Contact: Contact: Interested applicants please contact Aaron Baker (abbaker@mit.edu).

9/16/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: PWHS and GAMBIT
Faculty Supervisor: Nick Montfort, assistant professor of digital media

Tools for the Telling

The Tools for the Telling project is an attempt to understand computer games -- at first, specifically, interactive fiction or text adventures -- by automatically reverse-engineering large numbers of these games and analyzing statistics of them, considering their qualities as programs and games as well as looking at features and using ideas from literary study. This will involve finding features where there are significant differences between known categories of game as well as clustering to find new groupings that we didn't think of before. In addition to uncovering new research questions and learning more about games, we also hope to provide our data and the tools for analysis that we develop available to everyone, to encourage more investigation along these lines. The opportunity for an undergraduate researcher is to help us automate the analysis of statistics and to discuss with other researchers which types of analysis are most promising and should be conducted.

Prerequisites: Programming experience adequate for writing utility programs to perform statistical analysis. Work could be done in Python using NumPy, Java and MALLET, Octave, or other languages. Besides general programming ability, some experience with statistics and machine learning will be very helpful. Familiarity with interactive fiction is also a plus.

Contact: Nick Montfort, 14N-233, montfort@mit.edu, 617.324.1429; Interactive fiction and writing about IF, http://nickm.com/if/

9/16/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Center for Environmental Health Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Leona Samson

Exploration of Molecular Repair Pathways Mediated by Human AlkB Dioxygenase Protein Enzymes

Cellular damage by alkylating agents poses a significant threat to humans due to the cytotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic consequences. The AlkB protein family of iron-dependent dioxygenase enzymes protects the cell against these deleterious effects by directly reversing alkylation damage to essential biological molecules such as DNA and RNA. Intriguingly, humans encode eight different AlkB repair enzymes. In this project, we will utilize biochemical techniques to study the functions of particular human AlkB proteins. We will probe the activity of human AlkB proteins against a comprehensive panel of cellular substrates to determine their potential biological repair targets in human cells. These studies will advance our understanding of the cellular defense mechanisms that protect against molecular damage and its harmful consequences, including cancer and aging.

Prerequisites: Required: Basic chemistry and biology laboratory techniques such as pipetting, making solutions, etc. Some molecular biology background would be helpful but not necessary.

Contact: Dragony Fu, dragony@mit.edu, http://cehs.mit.edu/
http://samsonlab.mit.edu/.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Vishal Saxena

Computational Neurobiology

Our research seeks to understand the biological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Parkinson's disease and autism. We hope to understand these conditions through an application of statistical genetics, population genetics, gene expression studies, and basic biology lab techniques such as immunohistochemistry. This project can take on a more statistical focus for those with a strong interest and possible background in statistics or mathematics, a computational perspective for those interested in working more on the computational side, or a biological track for those interested in learning and applying biological tools. A background in each of the various areas would be useful for the various tracks respectively but isn't essential. What is more essential is an interest and strong motivation in these topics. Our work has led to a patent application with a former UROP as well as upcoming co-authored publications for another former UROP.

Contact: Vishal Saxena, vishal@mit.edu

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Science
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Adam Burgasser

Creating the Largest Spectroscopic Sample of Red Dwarfs Ever Assembled

M dwarfs (or red dwarfs) are the smallest stars in the Galaxy that can still fuse hydrogen. They are 10 times less massive, twice as cool and over 1000 times dimmer than the Sun. Yet despite their diminutive physical properties, M dwarfs make up ~75% of all of the stars in the Milky Way and have main sequence lifetimes that exceed trillions of years (longer than the age of the Universe). Their dominance in the Galaxy make M dwarfs excellent tracers of both the structure and evolution of the local Milky Way. In addition, these little stars have intense stellar flares and strong magnetic fields that allow us to probe their interiors and may have important consequences for the habitability of planets that orbit them. This project will use spectroscopic data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to identify, catalog and characterize over 50,000 M (and L) dwarfs - the largest sample of red dwarfs ever assembled. The UROP student(s) will use existing software to help identify and analyze the individual spectra. Working together, we will use to use these data to characterize the motions of the Milky Way, the chemical history of the Galaxy and in particular identify interesting individual objects (e.g. fast moving, old, binary pairs, etc.). The UROP student(s) will learn valuable computer programing and visualization skills as well as be an integral part of the publication process.

Prerequisites: Although some computer programming experience may be helpful, none is required. This project can be divided among 2-3 UROP students. Interested students will need to arrange for a short interview with Andrew West to discuss the details of the project as well as student time commitments and prior experience.

Contact: Andrew West, 37-582c, aaw@mit.edu, 617-324-1194

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Center for Collective Intelligence
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Thomas Malone

Measuring collective intelligence and making collective predictions

We are looking for research assistants to work in the Center for Collective Intelligence to assist in running laboratory experiments with human subjects. Responsibilities will include helping to recruit and schedule subjects, supervise subjects in the laboratory, and compile and analyze data. The first project involves measuring the collective intelligence of groups doing fun team tasks (see http://cci.mit.edu/research/measuring.html). The second project involves groups of people making predictions about uncertain future events by buying and selling shares representing these predictions (see http://cci.mit.edu/research/prediction.html). We are looking for students who are able to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week, mostly in the evenings or on weekends, but we may be able to accommodate smaller amounts of time if necessary.

Prerequisites: Social science methods course and/or prior experience working with human subjects in a laboratory environment are preferred but not required.

Contact: Email a resume to Prof. Thomas Malone, malone@mit.edu if interested.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: prof. Sebastian Seung

Building a part list of the retina

In this project, we will aim to build a part list of the retinal ganglion cells using confocal microscopy. Much current efforts in neuroscience is directed towards deciphering brain circuits underlying behavior. As a first step towards that, we need to have a part list of all the different types of neurons. Despite the relative simplicity of the retina, it is still not known how many cell types there are in the retina. Using confocal microscopy, we will collect images of ganglion cells. These images will be analyzed with a computer to classify the ganglion cells from their shapes. Having a comprehensive list of ganglion cell types will serve as a good foundation to delineate the complete circuitry of the retina. You will be trained in using an automated confocal microscope to collect the images. This should be of interest to students who want to get familiar with microscopy work.

Prerequisites: Student should be motivated and organized. Prior lab experience is preferred, but not required. Prior knowledge of neuroscience would be helpful but not required. Pay or Credit both possible.

Contact: Sen Song (sensong@mit.edu) if you are interested.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Hiroshi Ishii

Tangible Media

The Tangible Media Group is looking for motivated UROPs to help us build and maintain concept prototypes based on new ideas as well as past project demos in the area of tangible tabletop interfaces. Past demo projects include: Sandscape http://tangible.media.mit.edu/projects/sandscape Picohttp://tangible.media.mit.edu/projects/pico/index.php
Prerequisites: Interest in human computer interaction, design thinking, materials, exhibit or space design. Willing to find creative hardware and software prototyping methods. Work individually or in a small team, under the supervision of a research assistant.

Contact: Daniel Leithinger Research Assistant and Master's student (daniell@media.mit.edu) Tangible Media Group http://tangible.media.mit.edu/

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Cognitive Machines Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Deb Roy

Video Information Retrieval with a Pen-based Interface

The aim of this project is to create an interface that allows users to search for video clips in a large corpus of video data. The Human Speechome Project* has been recording data from eleven cameras mounted in the ceiling of rooms in a house for over three years. We want to create an interface in which the user draws paths on a floor plan of the house in order to find video clips showing occupants of the house moving along the inputted trajectory. 10-12 hours per week.

Prerequisites: You should know, or be willing to learn: * Python * SQL * GUI development (PyQt4)

Contact: Stefanie Tellex, stefie10@media.mit.edu

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
MIT House_n Research Group
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Intille
Paid or credit

Exergames for Phones

Like the Nintendo Wii? Do you want to make the next hit game for mobile phones? We need a strong programmer with good game design instincts to create applications that use real-time activity recognition on mobile phones (using sensors in the phones and wireless motion sensors). These applications will help people get exercise by enticing them to get their bodies moving.

Prerequisites:
Solid programming skills
10 hours per week
Helpful:
Development for mobile devices (Windows Mobile or IPhone)
Coursework in pattern recognition
Experience designing simple, addictive games

Contact: Send a resume and a paragraph describing why you are interested in this position and a description of game-like applications you have written in the past to: Stephen Intille, Ph.D., intille@mit.edu.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
MIT House_n Research Group
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Intille
Paid or credit

Developing Casings for Wearable Sensors

Want to get experience designing housings for small electronic devices? If you have experience with rapid prototyping tools and a knack for cleverly designing housings for small devices, then we have a design challenge for you! We need help designing and prototyping housings for wearable wireless sensors being created for use in a large national public health project.

Prerequisites:
Experience with rapid prototyping tools for electronics
Portfolio of objects you have designed before
10 hours per week
Helpful:
Background in electronics

Contact: Send a resume and a paragraph describing why you are interested in this position and a description of devices you have designed in the past to: Stephen Intille, Ph.D., intille@mit.edu.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
MIT House_n Research Group
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Intille
Paid or credit

Computers Motivating Behavior Change

Are you interested in how computers might be used to help people stay healthy or save energy? In this project we are developing and testing technology designed to motivate behavior change by using real-time sensing and ideas from behavioral psychology. We need a UROP student to help us design and run experiments.

Prerequisites:
Prior experience with studies using human subjects.
8 hours per week
Helpful:
Coursework in psychology, experimental design, or computer science.

Contact: Send a resume and a paragraph describing why you are interested in this position to: Stephen Intille, Ph.D.,intille@mit.edu.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
MIT House_n Research Group
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Intille
Paid or credit

Audio Icon Design

Musically inclined? Make appealing audio icons for phones for a mobile phone and health project. We are looking for a musically-inclined student to help us design audio icons for a mobile phone application designed to help people stay healthy. We need someone to develop sets of very short audio icons with distinctive, appealing themes that can convey different types of messages and moods to mobile phone users quickly and effectively. Applicants should be able to demonstrate ability to create/compose music/sounds/icons. The work can be done anywhere. This is just a few hours a week short term, with flexible hours.

Contact: Send a resume and a paragraph describing why you are interested in this position to: Stephen Intille, Ph.D., intille@mit.edu. Please indicate why you think you would be good at designing these short audio icons.

9/15/2008
Fall 2008
MIT House_n Research Group
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Intille
Paid or credit

Analysis of Interviews with Mobile Phone Users

The MIT House_n Research group is looking for a part-time UROP student to help us transcribe and analyze interviews with subjects who are working with our research team to design new software applications for mobile phones. This position is just a few hours a week and a chance to make some extra money. Get experience with qualitative study methods.

Required: Willingness to do transcription; attention to detail.
Desirable: Interest in human-computer interaction and mobile phone technology.

Contact: Send a resume to Stephen Intille, Ph.D., intille@mit.edu.

9/11/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center:
MIT Energy Initiative, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Ruben Juanes

Analytical Modeling of Multiphase Fluid Flow in Porous Media with Specific Application to Geological CO2 Storage

For the Fall semester, we are looking for a student to help with analytical modeling, i.e., to help develop mathematical equations to describe the behavior of physical systems, such as the injection of CO2 in a saline aquifer. A fair amount of math will be involved. We are interested in a student who has an interest in fluid mechanics, hydrology, geology, or applied mathematics to help derive equations relating to multiphase fluid flow in porous media, and then to solve those equations. Some background in or affinity for math and MATLAB is preferred. In the absence of direct experience in those areas, an enthusiastic interest in tackling the problem, plus some math skills, will be considered in the hiring process.

Contact:
This paid UROP is funded through the Martin UROP Program (http://lfee.mit.edu/urops/). To apply, please send a resume and a 1-2 sentence e-mail stating your interest to Jennifer DiMase, jdimase@mit.edu. The UROP may also be done for credit.

9/11/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Saxelab Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Saxe

How do infants and children look at the social world?

Interested in working with kids and finding out about how they see the world? Join our study: we are eye-tracking kids from 3 months to 3 years old. This cool technology lets us know what they're looking at as they watch movies. Then we use computational methods to analyze their looking patterns and learn about how their minds work. We're looking for UROPs interested in helping eye-track babies at the Playlab (at the Boston Children's Museum) and getting involved in data analysis as well.

Prerequisites: Several blocks of free time during the week/weekend when you could travel to the Boston Children's Museum to work with children; experience with kids desirable; Matlab programming experience great but not necessary.

Contact: Michael Frank, mcfrank@mit.edu

9/11/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Medialab / Tangible Media Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Hiroshi ISHII

Creativity Research Tools

We're looking for UROP interested in interdisciplinary creativity research process and tools. The projects aims at observing all the groups at the Medialab and manifesting how they creatively co-inspire themselves and rapidly build collective insights and complex structures.

Prerequisites: We are specially interested in students passionnate by complexity theory, sociobiology, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, ethnomethodology, zoomechatronics, new material research as well as arts, epistemology and aesthetics.

Contact: Jean-baptiste LABRUNE. Office E15-350 MIT Medialab 20 Ames St http://web.media.mit.edu/~labrune/

9/11/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Visual Arts Program
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Krzysztof Wodiczko

Visual Arts Studio Research & Production Assistantship

The Visual Arts Program emphasizes experimental approaches to studio arts production in both traditional and new media. Textual research, material studies, prototyping and fabrication all play an important role in the development of the VAP's projects. Our studio is looking for two UROPs to join the studio to develop several artworks, some of which will be exhibited locally and nationally this year. UROPs may contribute to: * designing & fabricating sculptures using traditional & digital technologies * mapping public spaces * researching community health organizations * building & programming audio microcontrollers * video and graphics * urban ecology & reclamation

Prerequisites: Successful candidates will be curious, self-motivated, creative problem-solvers. A background in the visual arts is not required. We are interested in biologists, engineers, architects, material scientists, etc. who like to experiment outside disciplinary boundaries. The overall emphasis will be on fostering transdisciplinary collaborations between emerging artists and scientists. Helpful skills & interests may include: AutoCAD / 3D modeling / CNC milling / rapid prototyping / sensors & microcontrollers / glass fabrication / gardening / library research / sewing / audio processing / interactive interfaces / drafting / graphic design / woodworking

Contact: If you are interested or have further questions, please send an email to Gina Badger (gbadger@mit.edu) and Caitlin Berrigan (berrigan@mit.edu). Please include: * a short description of your interest in the visual arts * an overview of your skillset * a summary of any previous UROP and/or work experience * a resume, including educational and volunteer history * an indication of whether you would prefer direct funding or credit, and whether you are flexible on this point Visual Arts Program Massachusetts Institute of Technology 265 Massachusetts Avenue, N51-328 Cambridge, MA 02139 http://web.mit.edu/vap/

9/11/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Henry Lieberman

Goal-Oriented Interfaces for Consumer Electronics

Like playing with audio and video equipment, phones, and programmable appliances, but hate their interfaces? Come help build the next generation of intelligent interfaces based on understanding the users' goals rather than functions of the device. Expertise/interest in Artificial Intelligence, natural language, speech recognition, phone
and device programming, networking desirable. And a general love of
gadgetry!

http://agents.media.mit.edu/projects/consumerelectronics/

Contact: Prof. Henry Lieberman, lieber@media.mit.edu

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: CSAIL Theory of Computation / Applied Mathematics / HST
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Bonnie Berger

Website Implementation for Computational Biology Algorithms

We have a need for a UROP interested in website implementation (HTML, Java necessary; Perl a plus but not required) to build and maintain webpage front-end interfaces for several new computational biology algorithms developed in the lab. The websites will link to Perl and MATLAB backends and utilize the Athena and/or CSAIL filesystems.

Prerequisites: HTML and Java required; Perl experience a plus.

Contact: Allenm Bryan, awbryan@mit.edu, Patrice Macaluso, macaluso@csail.mit.edu http://people.csail.mit.edu/bab/computing.html

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Kanwisher Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Nancy Kanwisher

ARCHITECTURE, MEET NEUROSCIENCE Interested in how and why the human brain perceives and responds to architectural cues? Find your answers by doing a PAID UROP in the Neuroimaging Laboratory of Nancy Kanwisher. We are interested in understanding the neural mechanisms behind scene perception, and we need your help! Specifically, we need you to construct scenes used for stimuli in brain imaging studies.

Prerequisites: - Knowledge of Google SketchUp (or other 3D modeling program) - Be willing to work at least 10 hours/week - Start ASAP

Contact: Danny Dilks, dilks@mit.edu

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: CSAIL and Biological Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Bruce Tidor

Open-Source Development of KroneckerBio

The Tidor Laboratory (http://mit.edu/tidor) seeks an ambitious, talented student to start immediately a for-pay UROP position setting-up and managing the community interface for an open-source software project. KroneckerBio is a package for modeling biological kinetic processes such as signal transduction and biochemical metabolic pathways. Excellent organizational skills and dependability required. Experience with MATLAB, ODE modeling, and XML is a plus. Ten to fifteen hours per week through the Fall with the potential opportunity to continue.

Contact: Send resume and description of reasons for interest plus relevant experience to Bruce Tidor <tidor@mit.edu>

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab / Center for Future Banking
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Dan Ariely,
Direct Supervisor: Nate Greenslit

Account-ability

We are developing novel web based tools to teach consumers about the social and environmental impact of the companies where they spend their money. We are also designing ways to link savings incentives with how people change their spending behavior, based on such information about companies. We are searching for a relatively self-directed UROP, with experience with web design and databases, to lead a part of this interdisciplinary and innovative project.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Experience with web design and databases. Time-management skills. Long-term commitment is possible.

Contact: Nate Greenslit: npg@media.mit.edu

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Biology Department
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Leonard Guarente

Analysis of the role of SIRT1 in Alzheimer s disease

NAD+-dependent sirtuins were identified to be key regulators in lifespan extending effects of calorie restriction (CR) in a number of species. SIRT1 is induced by CR in several tissues including brain and implicated in various effects as stress resistance, apoptosis and metabolic changes. Alzheimer s disease (AD) is a progressive, age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder of the cortex and hippocampus, eventually leading to cognitive impairment of brain. Based on this and the evidence that CR prevents AD-type amyloid neuropathology in cell-based AD models, this project aims to uncover how SIRT1 may rescue AD-type amyloid neuropathology and confer significant protection against neurodegeneration. Mice were generated having Alzheimer s disease and are simultaneously SIRT1 knock-out or SIRT1-transgenic. The student will help characterizing these mice by using different techniques like immunohistochemistry, western-blotting, RT-PCR, ELISA etc.

Prerequisites: knowledge of basic lab protocols (PCR, western etc.) experience of animal handling (preferable but not essential)

Contact: Gizem Donmez, gdonmez@mit.edu

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Laboratory/Affective Computing
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Rosalind W. Picard
Direct Supervisor: Henry Lieberman

Common Sense Assistant for Writing Stories that Teach Social Skills

People on the autistic spectrum often have difficulties with social interaction, and these difficulties are compounded when a person faces the uncertainty of not knowing what to expect in a new social setting. Detailed, step-by-step explanations of people s intentions and plausible actions can often help autistic people make sense of the situation, adapt to the social rules, and reduce stress associated with the social encounter. Teachers or parents of autistic children write stories designed to prepare autistic people for everyday situations such as smiling at friends, waiting in a line, and staying calm in an audience when the speaker s slides don t match the handouts. When writing these stories, they often forget to include explanations of simple, common sense facts and simple variations of the story that might occur in different circumstances. We are developing a new tool that helps the writer explain salient points and think of more variations of the story. We are looking for a UROP student who can join us to develop a web-based story writing tool.

Prerequisites: Proficient Web Programming & Graphic Design Skills(2D is fine), Python is preferred, but C++, Java, C# is fine.

Contact: Kyunghee Kim, khkim@mit.edu

9/10/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Opportunity at Mass General Hospital and Mechanical Engineering Department
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Culpepper
Project Leader: Dr. Shih-Chi Chen

Building a Two-photon Microscope

Description:
Two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy is a 3-D imaging technology that is based on non-linear optical excitation of fluorophores. A TPE microscope is an ideal tool for cell biology or live cell/tissue imaging due to its numerous advantages including (1) submicron resolution, (2) fine depth penetration and discrimination, and (3) reduced photo-bleaching and toxicity etc.

In this project, we aim to design and build a custom-made TPE microscope from scratch on top of an existing laser ablation system. Upon finishing, the scope will be characterized by performing several laser ablation and in vivo imaging experiments on mice. Tasks may include designing/modifying data acquisition electronics, aligning optical components/lasers, and designing and making required machine parts.
 
Prerequisites: Prior research experience in circuit design, mechanical design and machining is preferred. Students in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments with curiosity in optics and advanced microscopy are encouraged to apply! Students should be available for 15 hours per week. Registration for credit is required.

Contact: Interested students should contact Dr. Shih-Chi Chen at scchen@mit.edu. Please also attach a resume.

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Sciences / McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Faculty Supervisor: Emilio Bizzi, MD; Ki Ann Goosens, PhD

Probing the mechanisms of post-stroke recovery through muscle recordings and gene expression profiling

Our research team is interested in understanding the plastic mechanisms underlying both learning new motor skills, and recovery from ischemic stroke injuries, from both the neural and molecular perspectives. Our eventual goal is to translate our research findings into rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients. To this end, we have previously developed a behavioral scheme involving a rodent reaching-and-grasping task. Preliminary data show that this paradigm allows us to monitor the time courses of both motor skill learning and spontaneous recovery from a stroke injury. This will enable us to collect both electrical activities of different muscles, and gene-expression data from different cortical areas, at different time points of the motor learning and post-stroke recovery processes. We are seeking an enthusiastic student who can help us with analyzing the data we have gathered, as well as to participate in different behavioral and histological experiments.

Prerequisites: Interests in behavioral and systems neurosciences as well as their clinical applications. Previous experience in a biology or neuroscience laboratory is preferred but not required. Familiarity with Matlab and quantitative skills are pluses.

Contact: Contact: Vincent CK Cheung, PhD, at ckcheung@mit.edu. Web page: http://web.mit.edu/ckcheung/www

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Lippman

Mobile Group Communications

We would like to understand the impacts of open broadcast on social networks and build a group communication system that solves the limitations of trying to communicate with a group of people while mobile.

Prerequisites: 6.170 and understanding of data structures and algorithms. Interest in group visualization.

Contact: If you are interested in developing for the iPhone and interested in group communications, please e-mail Kwan Hong Lee, kwan@media.mit.edu and please include your resume. Project Info: http://fluidvoice.media.mit.edu

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Linguistics and Philosophy
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Donca Steriade

Psycholinguistics

The MIT Linguistics Department is conducting a series of psycholinguistic experiments attempting to answer current questions in theoretical linguistics. The Research Assistant's duties may include scripting psycholinguistic experiments, preparing stimuli for said experiments, scheduling and running human subjects, analyzing linguistic data and utilizing speech synthesis software depending on abilities and interests. Interns will acquire knowledge of experimental software and receive some of the training necessary to conduct research involving human subjects. Interns will also be given a detailed overview of the theoretical implications of the studies they are working on.

Prerequisites: This is a UROP for CREDIT (2-12 units depending on time commitment) or PAY. There are no prerequisites. Applicants with experience in experimental research and linguistic analysis software will be given priority.

Contact: Peter Graff, graff@mit.edu

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Fiona Murray

Exploring entrepreneurship among MIT faculty

We are studying entrepreneurship among MIT faculty in a number of departments including EECS, Mech Eng, Biology, Chemistry, Material Sc and Chem Eng. By looking at the interdepartmental variation in patenting and entrepreneurship, we hope to get a better understanding on how technology transfer occurs and why.

Prerequisites: We are looking for a motivated individual. Interest in entrepreneurship research is a plus.

Contact: Michael Bikard E52-509 mbikard@mit.edu

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Lab / Center for Future Banking
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Dan Ariely

Concrete Budgeting

Help design the future of banking! Concrete Budgeting is a new project aimed at helping individuals make better financial decisions that go beyond the present day. UROP students with web development experience are sought to help prototype interfaces for innovative financial planning applications and experiments, at the Media Lab's new Center for Future Banking.

Prerequisites: Start-to-finish experience developing a website. Online portfolio, knowledge of economics and psychology a plus.

Contact: Coco Krumme kak@mit.edu When submitting an application, please use subject line "CFB UROP" and include a brief description of your interest in the project, and relevant course, UROP, or work experience. Links to online work or a cv are especially appreciated. Please specify the programming languages and environments with which you are most familiar.

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Tod Machover

Opera of the Future

The Opera of the Future Group at the MIT Media Lab is looking for talented Computer Science UROPs this fall to work on an upcoming project - Death and the Powers. Death and the Powers is a new type of Robotic Opera premiering in Monte-Carlo under the patronage of Prince Albert of Monaco in September of 2009. We are currently looking for UROPs to help with the software design for each of the three main elements of the Opera - The Walls (a set of 3 12ft x 18ft tall mobile triangle structures with internal video projection on two faces), the Chandelier (a large actuated hyperinstrument suspended above the stage), and the Opera Bots (a set of illuminated mobile robots central to the libretto).

Prerequisites: Interested students should have experience in writing modular, reliable, and robust software. Possible tasks range from programming microcontrollers for robotic elements, to implementing control systems that integrate various components, to creating user interfaces for controlling, monitoring, and designing robotic motions, lighting, sound, and visual elements. Experience with Java is required. Experience with Linux, systems programming, is recommended. Familiarity with Eclipse and collaborative development, Swing, OpenGL, image/signal processing is a plus.

Contact: . Interested students should contact Peter Torpey at patorpey@media.mit.edu to schedule an interview. More information on the Death and The Powers Opera can be found at http://www.media.mit.edu/hyperins/projects/deathandthepowers/

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Tod Machover

Opera of the Future

The Opera of the Future Group at the MIT Media Lab is looking for 2-3 talented Electrical Engineering UROPs this fall to work on an upcoming project Death and the Powers. Death and the Powers is a new type of Robotic Opera premiering in Monte-Carlo under the patronage of Prince Albert of Monaco in September of 2009. We are currently looking for UROPs to help with the design and fabrication of various electronic components for each of the three main elements of the Opera The Walls (a set of 3 12ft x 18ft tall mobile triangle structures with internal projection on two faces), the Chandelier (a large actuated hyperinstrument suspended above the stage), and the Opera Bots (a set of mobile robots with illumination central to the libretto).

Prerequisites: Interested students should have familiarity with circuit design and debugging techniques. Additional experience with Eagle, Protel, or other circuit board design software packages is preferred but not required. Also, familiarity with microcontroller programming and motor controllers (PID loops/tuning) is encouraged but not required. UROPs would be for pay or volunteer for up to the maximum allowable hours per week.

Contact: Interested students should contact Noah Feehan at aka@mit.edu to schedule an interview. More information on the Death and The Powers Opera can be found at http://www.media.mit.edu/hyperins/projects/deathandthepowers/

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab, Biological Engineering, Brain and Cog Sci
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Ed Boyden

Nanoparticles for clinical brain monitoring

Neural disorders affect over a billion people around the world. To unravel the complexity of neural pathology, we are developing new kinds of nanoparticle to report upon the metabolic and health state of living brain cells. We are searching for a relatively self-directed UROP, with experience on nanoparticle theory and practice, and common-sense chemistry background, to lead a part of this interdisciplinary, high-profile project.

Prerequisites: Experience on nanoparticle theory and practice, and common-sense chemistry background. Time-management skills. Long-term commitment is possible.

Contact: Prof. Ed Boyden, esb@media.mit.edu, Brian Chow, bchow@media.mit.edu

9/9/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Rebecca Saxe

The role of lifetime experience in shaping the neural bases of conceptual representations.

We will use fMRI and behavioral measures to examine how different conceptual categories are represented in the brain and how lifetime experience effects the organization of conceptual information. UROPs will assist in data collection, running of the MRI scanner, data analysis, stimulus preparation, recruitment of subjects, subject testing, as well as programming experiments.

Prerequisites: An interest in psychology and neuroscience. Experience with Excel, MATLAB or other programming languages is very useful, but not required.

Contact: Marina Bedny, mbedny@mit.edu

9/8/2008
Fall 2008 Credit or Supervisor/Sponsored Research Funding
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Comparitive Media Studies (CMS)

UROP Position: virtual worlds & x-reality

The duties would include:

• Directed research on virtual world (3D interactive online platforms such as Second Life) and x-reality (augmented reality, geolocative media, etc.)
• 5-8 hours a week commitment
• Every Tuesday afternoon 2-hour research meeting (3-5pm)

The focus of the research for the fall are Asian virtual worlds, such as Hipihi (PRC) and Cyworld (South Korea).

Skills required: Native speaker of Korean, Japanese, or Chinese

Interviews: Tuesday September 16, 4-5pm, GAMBIT

Contact: Professor Beth Coleman, CMS/PWHS, bcoleman@mit.edu or research assistant Jaroslav Svelch, jsvelch@gmail.com.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Architecture/ Computation Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. George Stiny

Hoooga

This project aims at developing an online community service that makes home exchange easy and accessible to all its members by building trust within the network and creating a point exchange system enabling asynchronous home stays. The ultimate goals for this project are to cut down on wasted (unused) property while making travel more enjoyable and affordable to all. These goals can be achieved by developing a compelling online experience for the members and building a sense of community. The design and flow of the online service have been defined and the technical architecture and initial implementation has already been conducted. Help is needed to build the core functionality and implement the design direction.

Prerequisites: - Ruby on Rails experience preferred - Otherwise: Any other MVC framework experience: Django, Struts, Spring MVC, etc - Experience developing in Linux - Basic knowledge of source control systems: SVN, CVS, etc - Working knowledge of Databases, MySQL preferred - Standards based HTML/CSS - AJAX is a plus

Contact: Saeed Arida, sarida@mit.edu www.hoooga.com.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Judith Donath

Data Portraits

We: The Sociable Media Group at the Media Lab We: Are using visualizations to study how individuals and communities manifest themselves online We: Are building next-gen interactive visualizations using massive data sets

Prerequisites: You: MIT undergraduate student You: Interested in info visualization, interaction design or game design You: Comfortable with at least 3 technologies from the list below* JAVA, PYTHON, C++, OPENGL, DIRECTX, OGRE3D, JME, JAVA 2D/3D, PYGAME, GLSL, HLSL, PROCESSING, FLASH, MAYA, MEL, SQL, GIT, SVN * we teach you the rest

Contact: Alex Dragulescu Sociable Media Group - Media Lab dragu@mit.edu www.sq.ro.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Design Lab, Mobile Experience Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. William J. Mitchell, Federico Casalegno

Hardware Development Assistant

The MIT Mobile Experience Lab focuses on radically reinventing and creatively designing connections between people, information and physical places using cutting-edge information technology to improve people&#699;s lives through meaningful experiences. With a multidisciplinary team, we research and design new technologies along with their impact in societies, spaces and communities. MIT Mobile Experience Lab is looking for a UROP who would work as hardware assistant for our ongoing projects that involve wearable electronics design. The interested candidate(s) will suport the hardware development team at the lab by building and testing prototype circuits and do research on custom wireless communication techniques that are developing for our ongoing projects.

Prerequisites: If you have experience in one or two of the following skills and would like to have a chance to learn the rest, do not hesitate to apply! - 1-2 years of experience with analog and digital electronics and microcontrollers (preferably ATMEL AVRs). - Familiarity with circuit design principles and experience with at least one CAD program for PCB design. (e.g., Eagle). - Basic circuit prototyping and soldering skills (Should be able to solder SMDs). - Proficient in programming C. - Experience with 3D printers, laser cutter, water jet and shop skills.

Contact: Please send your resume (PDF format) and a link to your web portfolio to: Orkan Telhan, otelhan@mit.edu with the subject: 2008 Hardware Development Assistant.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Design Lab, Mobile Experience Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. William J. Mitchell, Federico Casalegno

Multimedia Production Assistant

The MIT Mobile Experience Lab focuses on radically reinventing and creatively designing connections between people, information and physical places using cutting-edge information technology to improve people&#699;s lives through meaningful experiences. With a multidisciplinary team, we research and design new technologies along with their impact in societies, spaces and communities. http://mobile.mit.edu The MIT Mobile Experience Laboratory is seeking a talented individual to join our team part-time (20 hours, flexible) to provide web and multimedia support. We are exploring how to use Multimedia and online platform to better communicate research projects. This junior team member will assist in the design and implementation of numerous mini-sites for the Lab's projects, graphic preparation, and some minor video production.

Prerequisites: You have a passion for good design, usability, and standards. You build web sites using a plain-text editor. You are a whiz at Photoshop. You are organized and a self-starter. You have made pointless short videos with silly special effects just because you can. You are excited about mobile technology. * Knowledge of standards-based web design and development (XHTML + CSS) * Javascript (jQuery, Scriptaculous, or similar a plus) * Flash (and ActionScript) * Photoshop * Some experience with video editing a plus (Final Cut Pro HD or equivalent preferred; iMovie or similar acceptable).

Contact: Please send your resume (PDF format) and a link to your web portfolio to: mel-devel@mit.edu with the subject: 2008 Multimedia Production Assistant.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center:
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Christopher Csikszentmihalyi

Wellesley UROPs Wanted:
Software for Environmental and Political Action.

Interested in the environment? We are developing a large-scale project to help local communities take control of how their environmental resources can be used. The extrACT Project merges web, print, phone, and other communication forms with collective political action and social networking, creating a next-generation platform for local politics and empowerment.

What does this mean for a UROP? It means flexing your tech skills in a variety of areas by working on a project that helps the planet, backed by a multidisciplinary team of programmers, environmentalists, community leaders, and social scientists. Watch your code implemented in a real-world situation and actually impact real people and real communities.

GIS/Mapping.
We are looking for UROPs with experience or interest in mapping / GIS. In particular, we are serving map information from Python and Django with Mapnik and Tilecache. Much of the system is already working, so we’re looking for students to innovate on interface, help stabilize the existing system, and implement new services.

User Interface / Interaction Design.
We're looking for UROPS to design and update the web-based interfaces for the various extrACT sites. This includes development of standard HTML/CSS/Javascript, forms and validation, as well as OpenLayers/GoogleMaps/etc mashups and interfaces.

Phones (Asterisk).
The extrACT project is developing phone-accessible APIs for many aspects of its services. We are looking for students interested in developing and extending a set of Python-based VOIP services including interactive voice response (IVR) interfaces and notification systems.

Web Application Development.
We're looking for students to assist in the development of several web services implemented in Python. Knowledge of or interest in the Twisted and Django frameworks would be a plus.

Outreach / Publicity.
Students with little programming or technical background but with an interest in politics, policy, or public relations can get involved as well, assembling databases of local newspapers/bloggers/media, helping to generate local press releases, and modeling local institutions and governmental structures.

Document Reading / Generation.
Because the extrACT project aims to work in remote rural areas with low internet penetration, we are looking at paper-only APIs for interaction. Given a set of data, generate a complete, concise, grammatically correct description paper version. Also generate other documents based on state-government forms (mostly in PDF, but also DOC/ODF/etc, if possible). Finally, allow users to return paper-only forms that can be OCRed into valid web responses.

Distributed Database / Application Development.
Put that summer internship learning SQL to good use. We’re looking for students to help extend the applications, currently running on a single database, to run on multiple, localized servers.

Contact: Please send a note with your name, year, experience, and a brief cv/resume to c4fcm-extract@media.mit.edu.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Computational Materials Science
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Gerbrand Cedar

UROP (for pay) in Computational Materials Science

The project is part of a high-throughput computational materials
design project in the energy field. Using modern ab initio
methods thousands of potential materials are virtually
simulated to determine their performance for rechargeable
battery electrodes, thermoelectrics and photovoltaics.

The UROP position will work with graduate students on the
development of the computational environment.

A strong UROP candidate will:
(a) be comfortable with Linux, including scripting.
(b) have very strong Java 5.0/6.0 skills, including generics, and GUI
design.
(c) have completed coursework in data structures and algorithms.
(d) knowledge of SQL and database management.

In addition, some bonus skills to have are:
(e) have completed higher-level coursework in physics (e.g. quantum
mechanics) and/or materials science.
(f) experience working with / managing clusters and job queue management
(g) data mining experience
(h) experience working on a shared code base using tools like DARCS.

Pay will be substantially above standard UROP pay for well qualified
candidates.

Contact: Anubhav Jain (anubhavj@MIT.EDU) or Geoffroy Hautier(hautierg@MIT.EDU).

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: HST (Dr. H. Fred Bowman has approved this posting)
Faculty Supervisor: Randy L. Gollub

Medical Image Computing Software: Open Source Engineer

We need someone to work with advanced CT and MRI 3D image data and cross platform open source software systems (3D Slicer, VTK, ITK and related tools). Responsibilities include testing functionality of rapidly evolving software as new features are added and troubleshooting of extensive curriculum of image analysis tutorials. This UROP will work with training materials aimed at both doctors and programmers. All software, data, and training materials for this project are open source. The ideal candidate will work well independently, but communicate effectively with a dynamic, distributed development and user community via email, wiki, and face to face meetings.

Prerequisites: Qualifications: experience with Windows, Mac, and Linux software installation, compilation, and operation. Programming experience on at least one platform required. Interest in biology and medical imaging required. Prior 3D graphics or image analysis experience preferred. For the academic year, a commitment of at least 10 hours per week in the lab is required. The stipend offered for this position will exceed the UROP minimum; the exact level will depend on relevant prior laboratory training and experience. Candidates who can continue with us as UROPs into IAP and the 2009 spring semester and summer are preferred.

Contact: Professor Randy Gollub, M.D. Ph.D. rgollub@partners.org 617-724-9602 Project websites: http://www.na-mic.org http://www.slicer.org http://www.vtk.org http://www.itk.org http://www.cmake.org.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Steele Lab for Tumor Biology/Mass.Gen.Hospital
Faculty Supervisor: Rakesh K. Jain, Ph.D.

Real-time Two-photon Laser Scanning Microscopy for Tumor Biology

In our laboratory, we are pursuing tumor biology research using advanced optical imaging techniques. The use of multi-photon laser scanning microscope (MPLSM) has provided unprecedented molecular, cellular, anatomical, and functional insight into tumor biology and response of cancers to treatment. This technique monitors fluorescence from molecules that are injected into a host or expressed by cells from the tumor tissue using genetic engineering, for example, GFP with high three-dimensional resolution and significant depth penetration inside the tissue using a scanner(Brown et al., Nature Medicine 2001 and 2003. However, this increase in resolution and 3-D imaging capability comes at the expense of being able to image events that occur very fast, for example, immune cell rolling on the endothelium. This critical problem could be solved by custom-building of a Video-Rate MPLSM for real-time in vivo imaging of regions deep inside tumors. This microscope will provide critical and rapid measurements of molecular, cellular, morphological, and functional parameters in normal and neoplastic tissues in mice during tumor growth, regression, relapse and metastasis that are not possible with current conventional MPLSMs. The aim of this project is to build and utilize a real-time two-photon microscope so that we can observe many interesting dynamic processes in tumor biology study. This project can lead to potential publications. Currently no direct funding is available and volunteers for credit are being considered.

Prerequisites: We prefer physics, electrical, mechanical, or biological engineering junior (or senior) students who want to build an advanced microscope and to apply it for tumor biology. Good understanding of instrumentation or optics is a plus.

Contact: Euiheon Chung (ogong50@alum.mit.edu) Edwin L. Steele Laboratory for Tumor Biology http://steele.mgh.harvard.edu/ Rakesh K. Jain (jain@steele.mgh.harvard.edu) Andrew Werk Cook Professor of Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Affiliated Faculty, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, MIT.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center:
Faculty Supervisor:

Project 1: Using AUVs to detect an invasive species damaging fisheries

Using autonomous underwater vehicles, we will be surveying the sea floor to detect an invasive sea squirt (Didemnum sp.) which grows over most organisms and both deters predation and prevents settlement of other species with toxic compounds.  The species appears to be interfering with juvenile fish feeding and settlement of scallops in Georges Bank.  Using digital camera images we collected optical images of the sea floor and want to automate identifying the presence of the sea squirt and other organisms.  The project will involve modifying existing algorithms for identifying Didemnum in photos to be used by Fisheries in managing the area.  Both color and shape are important components of the analysis.  Student should be familiar with MatLab.

Project 2: Using Risk analysis to evaluate invasive species spread

The rate of introduced species is increasing and expected to increase with increased temperature and climate change.  New regulations to prohibit ballast water discharge, reduce hull fouling, and other preventative measures suggest that the rate should decrease.  We will use risk assessments to evaluate the potential for a species to spread throughout the northeast region using current data, collecting information this summer, and analyzing current and potential vessel traffic as carriers of new species and estimating the potential risk of species found in Europe and other sources of ballast water.  This project involves some field work and analysis using the GARP model for assessing risk and comparing this approach with other general risk assessment models. 

If interested contact Judith Pederson, MIT Sea Grant College Program, 617-252-1741 or jpederso@mit.edu.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT-Sloan Organization Studies Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Mark Mortensen

Globally Distributed Work and Group Dynamics

How can you predict the success or failure of teams work across nations, languages, cultures, time-zones, and organizations? What kind of productive or destructive interpersonal dynamics arise in global projects? How can you overcome the most common obstacles faced by those working in our increasingly global economy? We are looking for several students to join our research team and help answer these questions. UROPs on this project will have the opportunity to gain research experience, while learning about globally distributed work. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, administering surveys, coding interview transcripts, and data cleaning and analysis. Applicants should be prepared to dedicate 6-9 hours per week to the project. To apply, please include a brief note indicating your background, interest in applying, and any relevant experience. Please attach a copy of your resume. Also, please provide a list of ALL courses (course name and number) you have taken at MIT organized by year and the final grade that you received in each course. A copy of your transcript may be requested at a later date. Please indicate whether you would prefer course credit or pay. Please include whether you are still interested in the position if only course credit or only pay is being offered.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Applicants must be very motivated, responsible, and detail-oriented. No prior knowledge of distributed work or team dynamics is required. Proficiency with SPSS, Excel, HTML, and/or the MIT libraries is a plus. Basic understanding of statistics and research methodology is not necessary, but also would be welcome.

Contact: Please send applications to Michelle Fiorenza: fiorenza@mit.edu.

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Hiroshi Ishii

Tangible Media

Tangible Media Group is looking for motivated UROPs to help us build concept prototypes, maintain and update past project demos for the internal and external audiences.

Prerequisites: Interest in human computer interaction, design thinking, materials, exhibit or space design. Willing to find creative hardware and software prototyping methods. Work individually or in a small team, under the supervision of a research assistant.

Contact: Keywon Chung Research Assiatant and Master's student keywon@media.mit.edu Group website: Tangible Media Group http://tangible.media.mit.edu/ Demos from past projects include: I/O Brush http://tangible.media.mit.edu/projects/iobrush/ InTouch http://tangible.media.mit.edu/projects/intouch/

9/8/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Ken Wexler

Language Development

The Wexler ab/Normal Language Lab (http://wexlerlab.mit.edu) is looking for Fall (and beyond) UROPs (for credit or volunteer). Our lab is interested in language and how it is instantiated in the brain. We mostly study first language acquisition, aphasia, Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, autism, and Specific Language Impairment, and work with both children and adults. The research projects for which we are seeking help mainly involve first language acquisition in typically developing children and language in autism spectrum disorders. We are also starting a project on Spanish language acquisition.

Prerequisites: A background in linguistics is helpful but not necessary. Fluent Spanish knowledge is a plus. Must be able to learn quickly, be responsible and reliable, and be able to work independently. We are looking for a commitment of 9-12 hours per week during Fall term. Candidates should be free for off-campus testing at least three mornings and/or afternoons per week.

Contact: Nadya Modyanova, nnm@mit.edu. Please include a copy of your CV/resume in your message.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Mitchel Resnick

Online Community for Youth

Are you interested in online collaboration? Would you like to explore using Web 2.0 technologies to allow teens to share their creativity and ideas online? The Computer Clubhouse Village is a site used by thousands of teens from 21 different countries around the world. We're looking for people to help take creative collaboration on the site to the next level. Starts ASAP, with the possibility of being continued over IAP and Spring term.

Prerequisites: Interest in online communities and collaboration Good programming skills: Ruby on Rails (preferred)/PHP/Python or similar Familiarity with mySQL, CSS, AJAX and other web technologies a plus

Contact: Chris Garrity, chrisg@media.mit.edu Please include a resume (or a description of skills and experience) and a short paragraph descrining your interest and motivation.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. John Akula

Law and climate change; law and financial services

Hi - I used to be a big-firm downtown lawyer, and now teach law at Sloan. Hoping to get some assistance with two law-related projects. (i) I am organizing a day-and-a-half Sloan workshop on law and climate change, and also writing an article on that topic. I need help researching key issues such as carbon trading and legal developments in the EU; finding and synthesizing reading and background materials for the workshop; and reaching out to outside legal experts. (ii) I am working on a overview of the ways in which the US financial services sector has, over the past 25 years, gotten into serious legal trouble, and will need help researching certain key incidents and the legal response, and in synthesizing these materials and searching for patterns.

Prerequisites: None. I will teach you what you need to know about legal research techniques.

Contact: Prof. John Akula, jakula@mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Charles Cooney

Acid hydrolysis of cellulose

Experimental evaluation of sulphuric acid hydrolysis of cellulose. Study hydrolysis conditions (time, temperature, acid type and concentration) on the: yield, physical and chemical properties of product.

Prerequisites: chemical engineering or chemistry student

Contact: Raed Hashaikeh rdhash@mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab/Smart Cities group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. William J. Mitchell

CityCar Driving Simulator

Utilizing an existing full-scale interior prototype of the MIT CityCar, the project aims to develop a new driver's interface consisting of a flat panel screen (doubling as the dashboard), modified joystick controls, modified racing seat, and CPU. We will test driver's controls using a variety of driving/racing video games such as Gran Turismo. We'll program and test the simulator at the Media Lab and when the system is robust enough we will allow visitors of the MIT Museum to try out the simulator.
Prerequisites: Students with a passion for video gaming, programming, and mechanical design would be ideally suited for this project. We are looking for talented undergraduates from EE, CS, AA, and ME.

Contact: Ryan Chin, rchin@media.mit.edu, Office: 617-253-6828 Will Lark, wlark@media.mit.edu Group Website - http://cities.media.mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab/Smart Cities group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. William J. Mitchell

Road Electrification System (RES) Project

The project aims to deliver electrical power to modified hybrid electric vehicles from a conventional road while such cars are being driven at any speed and without interfering with the operation of any of the ordinary vehicles using that road. This would allow modified hybrid vehicles to operate 100% electrically when on a route that is RES equipped, thus dramatically reducing the need to use liquid fossil fuels. The vehicles addressed by RES are battery powered electrics, vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and future versions of hybrids such as various Toyota vehicles including the Prius. We will also examine how this system can be adopted by the MIT CityCar developed by the Smart Cities group. This semester we will build a working demonstration of the RES and utilize our CityCar working prototype as a test vehicle.

Prerequisites: We are currently looking for talented undergraduates majoring in Physics, EE, CS, AA and ME with experience in any of the following areas: Fabrication / Programming / Power Electronics / Robotics / Mechatronics.

Contact: Ryan Chin, rchin@media.mit.edu, office: 617-253-6828 Ed Fredkin, ed@fredkin.com Group Website - http://cities.media.mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: CTL/AgeLab
Faculty Supervisor: Joseph Coughlin

Understanding Aging Lifestyles

The MIT AgeLab seeks a number of UROP students who are interested in working on on-going projects involving the analysis of newspaper article content, questionnaire and survey data, and qualitative focus group data. A current project includes a content analysis of media coverage of driving and older adults in several national newspapers. In this project UROP students will code newspaper content, be involved in data entry and then analyze the data to uncover patterns in media coverage on this topic. Following the completion of this project, other research could include questionnaire and survey data on retirement planning among older adults, or using data on transportation habits and behaviors, and Baby Boomers and older adults attitudes toward different technologies designed for an aging population. A second project can be jointly defined with AgeLab researchers. The ideal student will have an interest in human social behavior or behavioral economi!
cs, strong written and oral communication skills, and an overall interest in data analysis. In addition, UROP students will have the opportunity to learn about and participate in other AgeLab research.

Prerequisites: Knowledge and familiarity with a basic statistics package such as SPSS. Basic statistical analysis skills. Dependability is a must and strong organizational skills are desirable.

Contact: Lisa D'Ambrosio, dambrosi@mit.edu or call 617-452-2179.

Mouse Models of Cancer

The laboratory is focused on the genetic changes involved in the development of cancer. We focus on the design of mouse strains engineered to contain mutations in genes frequently altered in human cancer. In particular, we are developing tools to model these genetic changes in appropriate tissue types in order to better approximate the human disease. We have at least two UROP positions available, which are briefly described below. 1) We are using a mouse model of small cell lung cancer to understand how lung injury may alter tumor initiation and progression, the genetic alterations that contribute to metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Potential projects for a UROP include assaying the effects of injury on particular cell types in the lung, determining mechanisms of resistance of small cell lung cancer to chemotherapeutics, or testing the role of candidate genes in metastasis. 2) We are interested in the specific cellular functions of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene, which is mutated in greater than 85% of human colon cancer. Apc is established to have a major role in regulating beta-Catenin in the canonical Wnt pathway, but a number of studies have described other functions for Apc. We are interrogating Apc function using mice and cells with different mutant alleles of Apc and, to this end, we have uncovered differences in tumor phenotype. A UROP would involve following up on these observations to determine the molecular basis for these differences.

Prerequisites: Juniors and seniors are especially preferred except under extraordinary circumstances. Previous laboratory experience (either in another research laboratory or in Course 7 Project Laboratory) is required. Enthusiasm for (though not necessarily experience with) animal handling and husbandry is required. Course 7 students are ideal, but students in other courses with sufficient coursework in genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry are acceptable.

Contact: Anne Deconinck, anned@mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS Picower Institute
Faculty Supervisor: Mark Bear

Neural Circuit Manipulation in Mouse Visual Cortex

One of the aims in our lab is to understand how the brain develops and what distinguishes the brain of an adult mouse from that of a young one. Specifically, we are trying to find molecular and cellular markers responsible for a more limited learning capacity in the old brain. As a model system, we use ocular dominance plasticity, which is a developmental form of plasticity in visual cortex. We manipulate the neural circuits in the brain by targeting and eliminating cell populations of choice. This method has been recently established, so the project would involve further developing the technique by performing histology, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence imaging.

Prerequisites: Intro to Neuroscience and/or Intro to Biology and an interest in cellular/molecular neuroscience. Previous lab experience is not necessary, although prior cell/molecular biology experience is helpful. Time commitment: about 10-12 hours per week.

Contact: Please send a brief CV and a brief statement of interest to Lena Khibnik (khibnikl@mit.edu).

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aerospace Controls Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Jonathan How

Interface Design for Road Intersection Problem

We are looking for a student to participate in designing an interface for a dynamic path planning module for a road intersection research problem. This interface will help simulate the behavior of drivers on intersections, and eventually assist them to reduce collisions.

Prerequisites: Strong programming skills in C/C++/java or Matlab, designing interfaces. Tghe position is for pay.

Contact: Georges Aoude (gaoude@mit.edu)

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Laboratory, Ambient Intelligence Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Pattie Maes

Develop Multi-Touch Applications

Interested in multi-touch applications at the media laboratory? We are working to build applications and games for creative collaboration and expression on a tabletop interface. This position is for creatively self motived students who want experience in application design and implementation for tabletop computers. An exciting new field, the position would involve developing one application over the course of the semester, and would give the student the vocabulary and tools necessary to develop multi-touch applications.

Prerequisites: A minimum commitment of 10 hours per week is required, and some programming experience. Self motivated students interested in design are desirable. Student must enjoy creative thinking and problem solving.

Contact: Learn more by looking at our projects: http://ambient.media.mit.edu/projects.php Previous multi-touch applications: http://ambient.media.mit.edu/projects.php?action=details&id=56 Please respond to Seth Hunter: hunters@mit.edu

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Course 6/LIDS/Wireless Communications Research Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Moe Win

UWB Network Testbed

The Wireless Communications Research Group is seeking a UROP with strong programming skills and an artistic eye to help create a protocol stack as well as end-user application for our UWB Network Testbed. This testbed, once implemented, will be a first-of-its-kind, wireless network of ultra-wideband (UWB) radios. Applications of the testbed include localization, tracking, and covert communication. The UROP student will be involved in analyzing and extending the existing API, developing new primitives, and coding low-level applications.

Prerequisites: Programming experience in C/C++, Java, GUI development, network programming, and an interest in wireless communication

Contact: Prof. Moe Win moewin@mit.edu; Megumi Ando mando@mit.edu.

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS / Kanwisher / McGovern
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Nancy Kanwisher

Human visual perception and cognition

The Kanwisher Lab is looking for a for-credit UROP (programming skills in matlab and python would be a very big plus) starting in the fall of 2008 to work on a project investigating the neural basis of visual representations. In particular, this project involves a series of experiments aimed at understanding how visual information is processed in early and higher areas of the brain and how information from later stages of processing interacts with that of early steps forming coherent visual representations through our visual system. You will work closely with postdoctoral/graduate researchers and your duties will include helping to design experiments, creating experimental materials, running participants (on both behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments), and analyzing and interpreting the data. You will learn about experimental design, about using fMRI to address questions in cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, about analyzing and critically evaluating experimental data, and about presenting research results.

Prerequisites: The ideal candidate: (a) has programming experience (especially knowledge of Matlab and Python). (b) is likely to continue in the spring semester (and perhaps beyond). (c) has experience (e.g., classes) in cognitive science / neuroscience and is interested in this sort of research. (d) is responsible and motivated and who would be able to spend at least 10 hours a week in the lab. (e) has some experience with statistics.

Contact: Ed Vul: evul@mit.edu; http://www.edvul.com http://web.mit.edu/bcs/nklab/

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Foreign Languages and Literatures
Faculty Supervisor: Sabine Levet

Tramway and V lib' in Paris

I am looking for a student to work on videorecordings and photos made in July 2008 about V lib (a public bicycle rental system) and the T3 Tramway line in Paris. His/her main responsibility will be to transcribe about 80 interviews (most are 2 to 15 minutes long), do some editing by linking different sections of the interviews to relevant images from a collection of about 1,500, and suggest themes for organizing the data. This is part of a larger project looking at how the city of Paris is answering the growing problem of traffic in the city. More specifically it examines two recent initiatives implemented by the mayor of Paris: the T3 tramway line and V lib.

Prerequisites: Student needs to be fluent in French and have knowledge/interest in Urban Studies and Public Transportation Policy.

Contact: Sabine Levet, slevet@mit.edu

9/4/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan -Finance
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Carola Frydman

The Economic Organization of Orchestras

Research assistant needed for project on the economic organization of orchestras. Main focus will be on the human capital investments of orchestra conductors and how these matter for the performance of the organization, with parallels to the importance of CEOs for corporations. The task will consist of constructing a database on the characteristics of orchestras, the biographies of conductors, and performance reviews based on several data sources. Interested students should be available for work for 10 hours a week and send a CV to frydman@mit.edu, specifying whether they are interested in a UROP for pay or credit.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Excel required; Stata is preferable but not required.

Contact: Prof. Carola Frydman, frydman@mit.edu.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems & Senseable City Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Munther Dahleh

FOUNDATIONS FOR RECONFIGURABLE AND AUTONOMOUS CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

ORGANISATIONAL:
Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, http://lids.mit.edu/
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Munther Dahleh

SENSEable City Laboratory, http://senseable.mit.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Carlo Ratti

This research aims to provide a theoretical foundation that will be
useful to many other projects. Cyber-physical systems combine
computational systems with physical and engineered systems and can include bionics, automated manufacturing, or systems for monitoring critical infrastructure. This project aims to address the key
challenge of realizing a foundational, mathematical understanding of
the interaction between the cyber and the physical in these systems in order to both configure a system to respond to unexpected events, and also to quantify the system's limits in responding.
The position is for credit or for pay during the fall term.

COMPETENCIES:
We are looking for a student that:
/is enthusiastic of digital entertainment systems like games, animations, and virtual reality
/has solid C++ and OOP programming skills
/has knowledge of formal languages and compilers like xml grammar specification and parsing
/has (optional) knowledge of game design:
_game engines
_computer graphics and animations
_mathematics and geometric models
_client/server applications

Contact: Send your application with cv at efri@mit.edu.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS/CSAIL
Faculty Supervisor: Ruth Rosenholtz

Experiments and modeling of human vision

We are currently looking for a UROP to perform behavioral experiments on human vision, particularly involved with the study of peripheral vision, visual search, and optical illusions. Ideally the UROP would also model the results with existing computational models in MATLAB. Our lab has a strong track record of training UROPs in human vision and computational modeling, and of giving our UROPs a chance to do fairly independent research after they have gained experience. As a result, we prefer students looking for a UROP for more than a single semester.

Prerequisites: Minimal experience with MATLAB required. Relevant coursework, e.g. 9.35 or a signals and systems course would be a plus but not required.

Contact: Ruth Rosenholtz, rruth@mit.edu. See Dr. Rosenholtz's website for a description of some of the past projects in the lab. http://web.mit.edu/rruth/www.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemistry Department
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Alice Y. Ting

Development of new technologies for cellular imaging

Chemical Biology lab (Ting Lab in the Chemistry Department: http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/Ting_Lab/) working on the development of new cellular imaging technologies seeks motivated undergraduates to participate in projects related to fluorophore synthesis, protein labeling, quantum dot synthesis, and enzyme evolution. Opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary skills in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and microscopy, as well as to work fairly independently.

Prerequisites: Requirements: at least 1 year of organic chemistry and 1 year of biochemistry or related coursework. At least 6 months of laboratory research experience. Intention to remain in UROP for at least 1 year, ideally longer.

Contact: Submit cover letter to Alice Ting (ating@mit.edu) describing background, research interests, and career goals. On CV, provide phone and email for 3 references.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT EAPS / MGH / Harvard
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Maria T. Zuber

The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Genomes (SETG): An in situ PCR Detector For Life on Mars Ancestrally Related to Life on Earth

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to help design, build, and test a Mars life detection instrument and prospect for diverse life here on Earth. Because of meteoritic exchange between Earth and Mars, life on Mars, if it exists, may share a common ancestor with life on Earth. We are building a life detector for use in-situ on Mars based on the shared ancestry of all known life. Join a highly interdisciplinary MIT/MGH/Harvard team and apply your skills and interests in areas such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, microfluidics, and mechanical/electrical/aerospace engineering.

Prerequisites: * Skills in one or more of the following areas (Mechanical and electronics design, basic bio-lab skills such as PCR or gel electrophoresis, microfluidics, MATLAB, microcontrollers, optics, imaging) desirable but not required * Your interest and ability to learn and master new skills is more important * Interest in a long-term position on our team This position is located in the Simches building at Massachusetts General Hospital in a new state of the art lab facility, a 5 minute walk from the Charles/MGH T stop.

Contact: Please send resume and writing sample to research scientist Christopher E. Carr (617-216-5012, chrisc@mit.edu). For more information see: http://web.mit.edu/setg/.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Openings in the Humans & Automation Laboratory(http://halab.mit.edu)
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. M.L. Cummings

Replan Understanding for Heterogeneous Unmanned Vehicle Teams

A paid UROP position (15$/hr) is open for a project extending previous development of an interface that allows one person the ability to control multiple unmanned vehicles. In order to do this, the operator must interact with the vehicles via a mission manager, with lower level cognitive tasks like actually flying and navigating the vehicles relegated to automation. To this end, a preliminary interface has been developed in a high fidelity simulation that engages the user in high-level tasking decisions as well as contingency planning. However, more work is needed to improve the interface and the underlying simulation architecture. Travel to conferences and flight demonstrations is possible through this UROP.

Requirements: Must have a strong background in Java coding.

Contact: Professor Cummings at missyc@mit.edu

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Openings in the Humans & Automation Laboratory(http://halab.mit.edu)
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. M.L. Cummings

Developing Anytime Algorithms for User-Directed Sensitivity Analysis

Many path planning algorithms do not allow for the increasing need of users to receive and evaluate solutions in real time. Recently, anytime algorithms have been developed to address this problem by presenting successively better solutions in real-time to the user until an optimal solution is found. By integrating anytime algorithms into domains with time constraints, we can allow users to balance the need for finding an optimal solution and finding a solution that is "good enough" given the time available. The Humans and Automations Lab seeks a UROP to aid in the design and implementation of a path planning anytime algorithm and related real-time display of the solution state in Java. Future opportunities will exist to continue this research as a undergraduate or master's thesis, and travel is a possibility.

The ideal candidate will have taken 6.046 and 6.170 (or equivalent) and know Java. Knowledge of Java Swing is a plus.

Contact: Dave Pitman (edave@mit.edu)

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: BCS
Faculty Supervisor: Prof John Gabrieli

Tonal languages and music processing

We are looking for an enthusiastic UROP to carry out a project on language learning in adult student of Mandarin Chinese. More specifically, we are interested in how learning tones will affect phonological processing in second language learners. Tasks for this position will involve recruiting subjects, running behavioral experiments and analyzing data.

Prerequisites: 10 or more hours/week, for credit. Basic knowledge and interest in psychology/linguistics.

Contact: Li-Wei King, kingl@mit.edu. Please send a paragraph summarizing your qualifications and interest, and attach a resume.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Center for Digital Business
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Erik Brynjolfsson

The Economic Value of Information Markets

Research Goals The purpose of this study is to create and measure the value of an internal Information Market. We seek to use new methods of decentralized information creation in an effort to (i) cause innovation (ii) measure the value of information created and (iii) link this to individual behavior and productivity. The main questions we will seek to answer are: 1) Can we apply macroeconomic demand and supply models of information inside a firm ? 2) What incentives generate participation and contribution? 3) Can we value the resulting new information resources either directly in terms of dollar value or indirectly in terms of increased white collar productivity? A key advantage of this study will be a direct appeal to information economic theory to design an information marketplace. In particular, we will appeal to network economic theory, principles of information asymmetry, and also price theory. Two of these are based on Nobel prize-winning work. We seek to bring the rigor of information economics to real world application and measure the results. Setting A major US bank has agreed to be a host site for an extended period. A major US telecommunications firm has agreed to provide funding. We will track all information flows of more than 250 employees and correlate information they create and consume with individual output. A comparable site may also participate in Japan. This project can be either paid or for credit. If taken for credit, it would be suitable for a thesis project.

Prerequisites: A number of different skills can be used in this project. These include: 1) Computer Programming 2) Interface & Graphic Design 3) Understanding of Economics 4) Econometrics / Statistics We may hire multiple people and we do not anticipate that individuals will have all these skills at the same time. Having at least one of these skills is a prerequisite. If the companion project proceeds in Tokyo, then knowledge of Japanese would be helpful. Applicants should submit both a resume and a letter of interest stating why their backgrounds are a good match. The due date is Sept 21 but hiring will remain open on a 1st come 1st served basis until positions are filled.

Contact: Marshall Van Alstyne marshall@mit.edu 617-253-0768 MIT Center for Digital Business 5 Cambridge Center, 7th Floor, NE25 Cambridge, MA 02139.

9/3/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab/ Tangible Media
Faculty Supervisor-Prof. Hiroshi Ishii

Study of Plants/Algae for Environmental monitoring

Do you like plants?
There is currently an opening for a UROP student to research the
use of living plants as environmental sensors. More specifically, we want to study the effect of certain environmental stimuli on photosynthesis/metabolism of living plants and algae. In the past, we have developed several tools for measuring plant physiology, including optical sensors, IR cameras, and electromagnetic sensors. For this term, we are interested in exploring algae -- more specifically Chlamydimonas (http://www.chlamy.org).

UROP Tasks:
We seek a student who has an interest in plant physiology (which is not generally taught at MIT) to help carry out some simple lab experiments and also help with care and feeding of the chlamydimonas.

Requirements/Skills:
Basic bio laboratory skills or hobby experience with plants preferred. Some basic software/computer skills (JAVA, Python, or Visaul C++, etc) as well as data processng (MATLAB, Mathematica, Excel) also a plus. Although sensor hardware is not the focus of this UROP project, we also welcome any EE students interested in working on that aspect of the project as well. We are looking for a responsible independent student that is able to work during the spring term and possibly interested to continue into IAP and spring. Major: Course 7, 8, and/or 6.

Contact: Please send e-mail and indicate to which ad posting you are replying. Dr. Rich Fletcher (fletcher@media.mit.edu).

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab/ Affective Computing Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Roz Picard, Affective Computing Group

Software Development for Wireless Biosensor Networks

We have an opening for a UROP student to help create a few application-specific software to analyze and present data collected from our wireless sensors (heart rate, skin conductance, movement, ECG, etc). We have developed some innovative biosensors and wireless networks capable of collecting data from a relatively large number of sensors over a span of several days or weeks at a time. We have a variety of interesting experiments planned for the fall, including the use of these sensors for medical research, sport/fitness, video games and environmental monitoring.

UROP tasks will include:
Creating software to process and visualize the biosensor
data; designing interesting data visualizations, geographical maps, and video games; integrating with other devices (mobile phones).

Skills/Requirements:
EECS Student (6.x) or anyone with relevant experience. We are looking for a student with good software skills and preferrably some graphics/aethetics experience. Ability with Python, C#, JAVA, Visual C++ or similar languages is useful. Some knowledge of server-side programming (Linux-AJAX or Microsoft/ASP/SQL) also a plus. We are looking for a responsible student who is able to work independently and open to continuing project into IAP/spring.

Please contact: Dr. Rich Fletcher (fletcher@media.mit.edu) (and mention for which project you are applying).

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Linguistics and Philosophy
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Suzanne Flynn

Contrasting Language in Early Stage Alzheimer s Disease and in Healthy Elderly: A Pilot Study

We seek a more fine grained understanding of the interactions of linguistic capability and other cognitive impairment in Alzheimer s Disease (AD). In particular we seek to investigate the various aspects of language by incorporating insights from both current linguistics and psycholinguistics; and to investigate change in language capabilities by integrating comparisons to both first language acquisition in the child and second language acquisition in the adult as well as to changes in language that may characterize a normal healthy elderly aging population. We are looking for a student who would be interested in compiling an extensive annotated bibliography of references of research related to the focus of this study.

Prerequisites: Knowledge and experience using databases for library searches. Some experience in compiling annotated bibliographies also desirable. In addition, some background in cognitive science and linguistics desirable but not mandatory.

Contact: Suzanne Flynn, sflynn@mit.edu

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Linguistics and Philosophy
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Suzanne Flynn

Contrasting Language in Early Stage Alzheimer s Disease and in Healthy Elderly: A Pilot Study

In this project we seek to establish a more fine grained understanding of the interactions of linguistic capability and other cognitive impairment in Alzheimer s Disease (AD). In particular, we seek to investigate the various aspects of language by incorporating insights from both current linguistics and psycholinguistics; and to investigate change in language capabilities by integrating comparisons to both first language acquisition in the child and second language acquisition in the adult as well as to changes in language that may characterize a normal healthy elderly aging population. In this UROP, the student will assist in the collection and analysis of data from adults with AD and adults with no history of AD. Data collection will take place at both MIT and MGH. Student will be trained for the position.

Prerequisites: Some background in linguistics and cognitive science desirable but not mandatory. Also, some experience in working in an experimental setting desirable but not required. References are needed.

Contact: Suzanne Flynn, sflynn@mit.edu

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Biological Engineering/Laboratory for Integrative Computational Cell Biology and Biophysics
Faculty Supervisor: Mark Bathe

Microtubule and filamentous actin mechanics

Microtubules and filamentous actin are dynamic supramolecular protein assemblies that provide mechanical integrity to a wide range of cellular processes involved in basic cell functions ranging from cell motility to division. The mechanical properties and stability of these polymers are mediated by a host of accessory binding proteins that are highly conserved across otherwise divergent cell types and species. Here, we are using a recently introduced coarse-grained molecular modeling approach to investigate the mechanical properties and stability of microtubules and filamentous actin, including their regulation by a host of accessory binding proteins. We are employing an integrated bioinformatics-biophysics approach that attempts to reconcile the evolutionary conservation of accessory binding proteins with their biophysical regulation of microtubule and filamentous actin mechanical properties and stability.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with the finite element method and/or molecular simulation techniques is desirable.

Contact: Mark Bathe, mark.bathe@mit.eduhttp://web.mit.edu/liccbb

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mobile Experience Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Federico Casalegno

The MIT Mobile Experience Laboratory is seeking a talented individual to join our team part-time (20 hours, flexible) to provide web and multimedia support. We are exploring how to use Multimedia and online platform to better communicate research projects. This junior team member will assist in the design and implementation of numerous mini-sites for the Lab's projects, graphic preparation, and some minor video production.

Prerequisites: You have a passion for good design, usability, and standards. You build web sites using a plain-text editor. You are a whiz at Photoshop. You are organized and a self-starter. You have made pointless short videos with silly special effects just because you can. You are excited about mobile technology. * Knowledge of standards-based web design and development (XHTML + CSS) * Javascript (jQuery, Scriptaculous, or similar a plus) * Flash (and ActionScript) * Photoshop * Some experience with video editing a plus (Final Cut Pro HD or equivalent preferred; iMovie or similar acceptable).

Contact: Please send your resume (PDF format) and a link to your web portfolio to: mel-devel@mit.edu with the subject: 2008 Multimedia Production Assistant.

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Architecture
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Reinhard Goethert

URBANIZATION ON THE FIRST FLOOR

The recent mandate to elevate housing out of harms way in the coastal areas of Louisiana will result in an elevated housing and community form. Housing is following existing practice, in ordinary standard patterns except that they are up on stilts. Lacking is a creative approach of communities of elevated houses. It is an opportunity to rethink the notion of community when elevated, to be creative in solutions, and to set a new pattern for communities, considering sustainability and social cohesion. The MIT-SIGUS group s successful design of an elevated house The Louisiana Lift House has resulted in several built prototypes, and is now being prepared for widespread distribution of the plans. The stage is set for wider adoption, and established links with local NGOs will provide an information resource and a possible conduit for testing designs and prototype construction. It is an opportunity to present and potentially implement innovative concepts for communities of elevated houses. UROP students would participate in exploratory design of elevated communities in the Louisiana bayou region during the Fall term. The effort would include research on precedents of elevated communities, and brainstorming of potential approaches to further develop.

Prerequisites: The candidate should have the ability to work both collaboratively and independently, and be able to consistently follow-through with tasks on deadlines. Hard working and self-motivation are key. Design ability is important, and familiarity with Sketchup or other form of digital communication is required.

Contact: Dr. Reinhard Goethert Coordinator, The SIGUS Group School of Architecture and Planning rgoethert@mit.edu.

9/2/2008
Fall 2008
Program: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Barry Vercoe

Visualizations for Real-Time Network Music Performance

Th