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2014

Staff Only: WTP-ME Wiki

Instructors

Rachel Mok
Hello! I’m Rachel, and I’m a current Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering. I had received my Master’s from MIT and Bachelor’s from Purdue University Calumet, both in mechanical engineering, in 2013 and 2011, respectively. Currently, for my Ph.D. project, I’m trying to develop numerical techniques that will enable the prediction of active matter dynamics on curved surfaces. In general, my research interests include fluid dynamics, especially biological fluid dynamics, and computation and simulation. I had really enjoyed working as a Teaching Assistant for Thermal Fluids I, and I am really excited to be able to continue helping students learn mechanical engineering topics as an instructor for WTP!
I’m originally from Alabama, and it has been quite a struggle adjusting to the cold winters of Boston. But I must say that summers here are much better than summers back in Alabama. Outside of MIT, I enjoy going to church, reading, hanging out with my friends, hiking, watching TV and movies, and playing the occasional game of tennis and/or badminton and/or table tennis (anything with a racket, really). I’m really looking forward to meeting you all!

Becky Vasquez
Hi! I'm currently a Master's student at MIT studying Mechanical Engineering and graduating in 2014. I studied ME at MIT in undergrad as well, and was a tutor for WTP-ME in the summer of 2011. My research is in the Man Vehicle Lab, an Aero/Astro lab here at MIT. My work focuses on human spaceflight, specifically countermeasures to human adaptation to microgravity. I am originally from Seminole, Florida. In my spare time I like to play ultimate frisbee, read, knit, crochet, sew, and make things in general.

Natasha Wright
Hello! My name is Natasha and I am currently a second-year Master’s student in mechanical engineering. I received my Bachelor’s degree also in mechanical engineering from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am a member of the GEAR Lab, which focuses on end-user and stakeholder-driven design for emerging markets. My research is on the design of community-scale photovoltaic (PV) powered electrodialysis desalination systems for inland rural villages in India.
Outside of lab, I love to travel and be outside. My desire to work on a research project in an emerging market sprang from years of travel and courses completed in Turkey, Chili, Peru, Tanzania, China, Micronesia and across Europe. I competed competitively in Nordic Skiing and Track (pole vault) throughout high school and now enjoy rock climbing, hiking, camping, white water rafting and pretty much anything else that gets me outside. I am looking forward to meeting everyone this summer!

Residential Tutors

Tori Jensen
Hey everyone! I'm a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Comparative Media Studies. Last summer I worked at the Scheller Teacher Education Program (STEP) lab and helped build a website that lets kids make their own 3D video games and learn how to program! I love playing all types of sports, and I am the catcher on the MIT Varsity Softball team. Other things I love to do include, but are not limited to: making interpretive dances to all the songs on my Ipod, surfing through every Buzzfeed article known to mankind, and making (or attempting to make) crazy awesome friendship bracelets. I'm so excited to meet all of you and have a blast at WTP this summer!

Tanya Liu
Hello! I’m a graduating senior in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on energy science. I’m originally from Ames, Iowa, though my family actually just recently moved to Virginia. I love board games, chamber music, and summertime. This will be my first summer with WTP, and I'm looking forward to meeting you guys!

Rachel Reed
Sup y'all! I'm a rising junior in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Applied International Studies. I'm a born and bred Houston, Texan but my family is originally from Argentina. At MIT I'm heavily involved with teaching, my sorority and various minority student activities. In my free time I love going sailing, making pottery, climbing trees, eating and reppin' the one and only lonestar state. Fun fact, this will be my fourth summer in a row at MIT.

Cheetiri Smith
Hi there! I am a graduating senior in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on energy and design. I enjoy working with people and discovering new perspectives. Outside of class, I sing with the MIT/Wellesley Toons and play rugby for MIT. I enjoy reading, baking, cleaning, lifting, and just about most things. I enjoyed working as a Tutor for WTP so much last summer, I’m looking forward to meeting you all and having a great time!

Marian Styer
Hey! I'm a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering, and I have a not-so-secret passion for all things robots. I grew up in northern California, but have definitely come to consider MIT (and the greater Cambridge/Boston area) my second home. An alumna of WTP-EECS, I am super excited to be returning as a tutor for ME! In my free time I enjoy singing, reading, watching movies, walking, jogging or biking along the Charles River, playing games, being goofy, and generally just having a good time with fun people. I can't wait to spend time with you all this summer!
Louise van den Heuvel
Hi! I'm a graduating senior with a Mechanical Engineering major and Music minor. I enjoyed my undergraduate experience at MIT so much that I've decided to pursue my Master's here as well, with a special focus on Design. Outside of class, I'm part of MIT's Cross Country and Track & Field teams, so you'll find me running all year round. I love to run along the Charles or explore Boston! I also enjoy playing board/card games, watching movies, making music, and trying new recipes, among many other things. I can't wait to meet you all this summer!

Residential Assistant

Rosa Ruiz
Hello! I am a freshman in Mechanical Engineering, but I'm also interested in Brain and Cognitive Science. I'm from San Jose, CA and am still coming to terms with the winters here. When I am not studying, working, or sleeping, I enjoy making origami, eating (almost anything), running along the Charles, and writing parody songs. I am super excited to be a part of WTP again, and I'm looking forward to meeting you guys!

WTP Associate Director & WTP-ME Track Coordinator

Dr. Barbara Hughey joined the Mechanical Engineering Department in 2002 as Lab Manager for the junior-level 2.671 Measurement and Instrumentation Course. She is a graduate of Princeton University (BSE 1981 in Engineering Physics) and MIT (PhD 1989 in Physics). After receiving her Ph.D she worked in the Boston area developing accelerator-based instruments, primarily for medical applications. She is a dedicated violinist, having served as concertmaster of both the Princeton and MIT Orchestras, as well as having been an active participant in the MIT Chamber Music Society. She is a member of the Council for the Arts at MIT and currently performs with the Lexington Symphony. She has two children: one graduated from the Biological Engineering Department at MIT in 2013 and is presently an MD/PhD student in Pittsburgh, and the other graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 2014 with a degree in Vocal Performance. When she has free time, she enjoys traveling, knitting, reading science fiction, hiking, and bird watching. bhughey@mit.edu