MIT UROP: Current Research - Project Openings

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.

Available UROPs

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.

UROP Project listings are posted for approximately one month before they are removed unless we are asked to re-post.

5/22/12
Department/Lab/Center: STS
Faculty supervisor: Dr. John Durant

Project Title: MIT Museum and AeroAstro Summer History UROP Opportunity

Project Description: Do you want to figure out how one of the oldest wind tunnel balances in the country works? Dust off the fragile mylar coverings of a half-dozen human-powered airplane components? Inspect glass lantern slides used to teach aviation to MIT students in the early 20th century? Interview some of the most famous researchers and faculty in aviation and space history?

The MIT Museum and AeroAstro Department are looking for a full-time (preferably but could be part-time) summer UROP student interested in all aspects of aviation and space history and documenting MIT's contributions to the field. The collaborative project focuses on the museum's premier collection of aerospace artifacts as well as the acquisition of new objects that will be used for exhibition and online presentations. Depending on the student's skills and interests, he or she would be involved in writing text and preparing materials for future display on campus and online.

Requirements: Energetic, personable, creative, and motivated student capable of working independently. Excellent research and writing skills. Students will be asked to submit several examples of their writing. Ability to engage with faculty, researchers and administrators, including conducting basic interviews. Students will be taught rudimentary techniques of museum cataloging and how to use the museum's Collections database. Familiarity with Photoshop is important as the project involves significant scanning. Ability to use various equipment including digital cameras, video and audio recorders is a major plus. A deep interest in MIT history is vital. Knowledge of aeronautics and space history is a plus but not required.

Employment Details: Student will work under the guidance of Dr. Deborah Douglas, Curator of Science and Technology, and the collections staff of the MIT Museum. Most work will be at the museum or at the museum's off-site storage facility (accessible by public transport or bike) as well as in Building 33 and other AeroAstro facilities. Compensation is at the standard UROP hourly rates. Preference given to SHASS and Course 16 majors.

Contact: Deborah Douglas, ddouglas@mit.edu , with a brief note indicating your interest, a list of HASS and/or writing courses you have taken, a sample of your writing, and your availability.

5/22/12
Civil and Enviromental Engineering
Professor Martin Polz

Project Title: Microbial communities dynamics in seawaters

Project Description: The large majority of Earth’s surface is represented by aquatic ecosystems, mainly dominated by the ocean. Up to a million bacteria are present in each milliliter of seawater, making them the most abundant and diverse organisms. They also play a central role in biogeochemical cycles thereby providing many ecosystem services important for humans. The functionality of these microbial communities is the result of the activities and the interactions between different components of the community. Hence the abundance of different population and their interactions are key parameters in understanding the functionality of microbial communities.

This project will explore what bacteria are present in aquatic systems, how they change over time, and which are the functionally relevant groups.

The Polz lab has collected hourly samples from an estuarine water body over 24 hours from which you will identify changes in bacterial populations. You will apply genomic methods to study microbial populations, involving DNA extraction and purification, PCR and quantitative PCR, high-throughput sequencing using the Illumina platform. We will learn what bacteria are important for the functionality of the microbial ecosystem and what the stability of the microbial communities is in a short scale of time.

Requirements: We are looking for a motivated student for the summer months. A plus is if there is potential for continuation in the fall.

Contact: Interested applicants should email ammartin@mit.edu including an explanation of your interest, CV, and time availability.

5/22/12
Media Lab
Professor Alex (Sandy) Pentland

Project Title: Algorithms for Generalized Matching in Networks.

Project Description: The position is for the summer and will involve making a Matlab library for the algorithms and providing a graphical front end (either in Java/Python or Matlab) for ease of use and visualization. Candidates must be proficient in Matlab and must have some experience in web programming.

Successful candidate will study the recent work on matching in networks and the algorithms developed by the supervisor. The candidate will then create a package that can be used for demonstration of the algorithm, running auctions, online match making, and allocating resources. If you are planning to go to do graduate studies in CS or ECON, this will be a good learning experience.

Time commitment is flexible, and should average about 20 a week.

Contact: Ankur Mani (amani@mit.edu) <x-msg://2144/amani@mit.edu>

5/22/12
Sloan School Of Management
Professor Itai Ashlagi

Project Title: Kidney Exchange

Project description: A kidney exchange involves swapping between donors between two incompatible pairs. The research will involve usage and reading data, programming (preferably in C#) and simulating new methods and algorithms (on real and simulated data) for finding matches for kidney donation. In addition, basic statistics will be applied.

The project will take place over the summer.

Requirements: Programming skills and basic statistics.

Contact: Itai Ashlagi (iashlagi@mit.edu)

5/22/12
Summer 2012
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

Project Title: NASA Innovative Conceptual Engineering Design Workshop 2012 (ICED2012) - Design of a Mars Habitation System

Project Description: The NASA Senior Advisor for Innovation, Dr. Charles Camarda; is teaming with experts in Mars exploration at MIT and around the country, to initiate the Innovative Conceptual Engineering Design (ICED) Challenge Program this Summer. This is a unique opportunity to enlist the collective intelligence and creativity of masses of students, engineers, scientists, artists and artisans across the country to solve very real and very challenging, epic, problems. This is a multi-year program which will begin this summer with a workshop at MIT to kick-off the first challenge: Surface Radiation Shielding and Ultra-Reliable Life Support Systems for a crewed habitat system on Mars. We are looking for undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year to participate in the program. Students will: - Participate in a one week "Innovation Bootcamp" (June 24th-29th) with high school teachers, graduate students, NASA engineers, and experts from across the country. The intent of this session is for participants to be immersed within the two challenges mentioned above; and to generate, build and test ideas for concepts to address them. Good concepts may receive funding from NASA subject matter experts for senior thesis/captone projects - Participate in a one week "Creative Concepts Collaboratory" (August 6th-10th). The format of this second session is similar to the Innovation Bootcamp, with the main difference being that you will work with high school teachers and graduate students to run the bootcamp for high school students. You will play the role of the mentor to high school student teams, and will encourage them to think creatively, while giving them technical guidance when required. Following this, you will continue to mentor the high school students virtually, as they work on their own ideas and concepts at their home schools for the 5-6 week period after the Collaboratory session.

Prerequisites: As the two challenges are highly multidisciplinary, we are looking for students with a wide breadth of interests. We are looking students that are creative thinkers, have leadership experience, have a passion for solving complex engineering problems, and have hands-on experience. There is no restriction on the department or disciplinary background of student participants. Also, we would prefer students entering their junior or senior year, and are interested in potentially basing their senior thesis/capstone project on one of the concepts developed during the workshop

Contact: Interested candidates should send their resumes to Sydney Do, (sydneydo@mit.edu).
For more information on our research group's work, visit: strategic.mit.edu
For more information on the ICED2012 program, visit: http://bit.ly/ICED2012

5/22/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Material Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Sheila Kennedy and Jeff Grossman

Project Title: 3D Reflectivity Algorithm: Designs for Sunlight Delivery

Project Description: This Summer UROP project will focus on the development of advanced mathematic algorithms and 3D software code created by the Grossman Group to support the design of a full scale three-dimensional reflective luminaire (lighting fixture) prototype that will be designed and fabricated by Professor Kennedy’s design team. The luminaire will not use electricity; it will be designed for the 3M Sunlight Delivery System, which utilizes a very high reflectivity film to distribute reflected sunlight deep into the interior of buildings. The Sunlight Luminaire designs will be based on the unique material properties of the film’s thinness, laser cut-ability, flexibility, flat-to-form folded fabrication and very high reflectivity.

The mathematically derived complex 3D software code that has been generated in Professor Grossman’s Group at MIT will provide the foundation for this project. The software was originally designed to optimize the shape of a three dimensional solar PV system to maximize the energy generation at different locations and seasons, through direct and reflected sunlight illumination. Starting from an arbitrary 3D shape, the optimization occurs through genetic algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation approaches. The goal of this UROP summer project will be to work at the intersection between mathematics, materials, computation and design. The UROP will explore how the 3D math and software code can be ‘tweaked’ to calculate precise light paths and light reflectivity within the internal three-dimensional space of the Sunlight Luminaire. Rather than maximizing light absorption (the case for solar PV), the code must be modified to maximize light reflection within given environmental conditions and constraints. The code will need to be developed in a manner exportable/importable to/from Rhino 4.0 design 3D modeling software, so that the Sunlight Luminaire designs can be effectively optimized for light diffusion, direct light projection and a wide range of precise ambient sun-lighting effects-- bringing the desirable, dynamic qualities of sunlight into building interiors.

Prerequisites: We are looking for a creative student who can visualize and think in three dimensions, is well versed in mathematics and enjoys generating software. Advanced programming experience in low-level languages is required (C++ knowledge preferred). Working knowledge of or proficiency in Rhino 4.0 design 3D modeling software and/or Rhinoscripting and Grasshopper (a parametric logic used in Rhino) would be helpful for this project.

Contact: Professor Jeffrey C. Grossman (jcg@mit.edu )
77 Massachusetts Avenue MIT, 13-5049
Cambridge, MA 02139
Ph: 617-324-3566

Group:
32 Vassar Street,
MIT, 13-4080
Cambridge, MA 0213

5/22/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Plasma Science & Fusion Center (PSFC)
Faculty Supervisor: R. Petrasso

Project Title: Software development for experimental data acquisition and recording

Project Description: The High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Division http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/hedp/ of the PSFC designs and implements experiments, and performs theoretical calculations, to study and explore the non-linear dynamics and properties of plasmas under extreme conditions of density (~1000 g/cc), pressure (~ 1000 gigabar), and field strength (~megagauss). In aid of this effort, numerous plasma diagnostics are being calibrated and developed at MIT with the use of an accelerator-based fusion products generator.

We are currently looking for a student to continue development of a Java-based data acquisition system for the electrostatic accelerator.

Prerequisites: We are looking for a motivated student with prior experience in Java. Juniors/Seniors are preferred but highly motivated Freshmen/Sophomores are encouraged to apply. This project will be full-time, negotiable schedule, during Summer 2012. If the student is interested this project could be extended into the next academic semester.

Contact: Alex Zylstra: (azylstra@psfc.mit.edu )

5/18/12
Department: Health Sciences and Technology
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Peng Yin

Project Description: Still looking for summer research opportunities? Interested in biologically-inspired engineering, computer science, or nanotechnology? Prof. Peng Yin's Molecular Systems lab (http://molecular-systems.net/) at the Wyss Institute is looking for motivated undergraduates to work on our integrated development environment for designing dynamic DNA nanosystems.

About the project: we're developing a web-based integrated development environment which will incorporate and integrate many tools for designing and testing molecular computation and self-assembly systems based on DNA hybridization. The project involves both considerable architectural challenges on the server-side, and rich user interface challenges on the client-side. The web server component is written in Javascript using NodeJS, and the client-side component is written in Javascript using ExtJS. Various server-side tools and components are written in Python, C, and even some ML. Slightly more information may be found on the project web page (http://molecular-systems.net/workbench); I'd also be happy to answer questions.

About the position: we're looking for someone to work full-time on the project in Boston during the summer, and join the team to work as an ongoing member of the project during the year. Considerable Javascript experience is a must; experience with Node and/or ExtJS is desired. Python and/or C experience is a plus. We will provide a stipend for research during the summer. You'll be working in our lab at the Wyss Institute in the Center for Life Sciences, Boston in the Longwood Medical Area (right next to Harvard Medical School).

Contact: If you're interested, please contact Casey
(casey.grun@wyss.harvard.edu ) ASAP with your CV and a brief (~1 paragraph) statement of your background with these technologies. Please forward to others who may be interested. We're looking to interview within the next two weeks, so please reply promptly!

5/18/12
Summer 2012
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Allan Myerson

Project description: We are building an automated table-top device for the production of pharmaceutical drugs. The student will be actively involved in automating the process from crystallization of the crude active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to the formulation of the purified API into drug products. LabVIEW will be used as the main programming software, and the student will get hands-on experiences on crystallization process set-up, automation of processes and programming with LabVIEW.

Requirements:
n Motivated computer science or process and automation engineering student.
n Advanced knowledge of LabVIEW programming.
n Student should be committed and interested in research.

Funding will be available for outstanding applicant. Rate is negotiable based on programming experience.

Contact: Torsten Stelzer (stelzer@mit.edu)

5/18/12
Department: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Kent Larson

Project Description: UROP positions are now open for a project developing our next generation of living-working spaces, with particular focus on collaboration and communication technologies. You will be working with the Changing Places group at the MIT Media Lab (http://cp.media.mit.edu/). Your role will be to facilitate the development of our next prototype, which will involve interactions in digitally augmented physical world. The methods utilized may include using wireless sensors, developing mobile applications, and building physical objects. This project will bring you hands-on experiences in cutting-edge issues in interaction design, prototyping, and research towards future collaboration and communication technologies.

Duration: starting from now through summer 2012.

Prerequisites: Experience in physical computing and programming is preferred. Experience in mobile computing and fabrication is a plus.

Contact: Please email aithpao@media.mit.edu with your resume if interested.

5/18/12
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Polz

Project Title: Mapping environmental host-phage interactions

Project Description: Bacterial metabolism shapes the biogeochemistry of the Earth and bacteriophages (viruses) are the largest reservoir of genetic diversity on Earth - how are they connected?

Bacteriophages must enter bacterial cells to find expression of their genetic material - from here it's a "choose your own adventure" as to what can happen next. Sometimes phage entry results in host cell death, sometimes it results in acquisition of novel phenotypic traits by the host, and sometimes phages lay quiescent for several generations before killing their hosts and moving on. Revealing the rules of this planet-wide game, and its consequences, requires first cutting through all the diversity to discover underlying structure.

In this UROP project you will be using biological assays to test the ability of hundreds of different viruses to infect hundreds of different hosts, this will produce a large host range matrix. The power of this matrix lies in the unique host platform we have to analyze it - the Polz Lab has developed a platform that allows us to understand the fine scale relatedness and ecological architecture structuring wild bacterial diversity. What this means is that the patterns discernible in the host range matrix can be tied quantitatively to specific ecological constructs like host habitats and host relatedness in a way that has not been possible thus far. We will learn how broad phage host ranges are in the environment, and what parameters are important in bounding those host ranges.

Requirements: We are looking for a student who is motivated, interested, attentive to detail, and available several days per week; this UROP offers the opportunity to continue work in the lab on related projects following the summer term. Laboratory experience is desired but not required.

Contact: Please email Kathryn Kauffman (k6logc@mit.edu <https://webmail.mit.edu/horde/imp/message.php?index=35493> ) and include a paragraph explaining your interest in the project, a CV, and your hours of availability.

5/16/12
Department: EECS
Professor Timothy Lu

Project Title: Development of a software plug-in for visualising synthetic gene networks.

Project description: In the Lu lab we are designing and building synthetic gene networks that exhibit a range of novel behaviours, and to be used in a diverse range of applications. We currently use the Geneious software platform (http://www.geneious.com/) for visualising and designing the components (i.e. the different genes) of these gene networks at the DNA level. However, Geneious does not yet have the functionality for visualising how these components actually link together to form the network. This limitation is becoming increasingly problematic when designing large and complex networks. However, Geneious is highly extensible and provides a Java-based API for writing customised plug-ins.

This project would involve the development of a plug-in for visualising gene networks within Geneious. Although this plug-in would be initially restricted for use in the Lu lab, Geneious is a platform used throughout the world and plug-ins can be deposited in a database for availability to anyone. This is therefore an excellent opportunity to write software that could quickly become used world-wide. Furthermore, the plug-in can be entered into the 2012 Geneious challenge (http://www.geneious.com/web/geneious/2012-geneious-challenge1). The winner of the challenge gets a $1000 prize and all entrants get a free 12-month licence to Geneious.

Prerequisites: A good working knowledge of Java, and ideally an interest in synthetic biology. No specific knowledge of synthetic biology, or gene network design is required, as you will work closely with a postdoc who works in the field.

Contact: Dr. Oliver Purcell (opurcell@mit.edu) and Prof. Timothy Lu (timlu@mit.edu)

5/16/12
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

UROP Position for Summer - Fall 2012 for pay or credit

Project description: We are interested in hiring a motivated computer science student to work on a robotics project. The student will be asked to work with other students to implement a C++ (object oriented) code for path planning robotics application using randomized algorithms(such as RRT, PRM, EST)

Requirements: The student has advanced knowledge of C++ programming and computer systems.

Contact: Maria Riefstahl (maria@mit.edu )

5/16/12
Summer 2012
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

Project Title: NASA Innovative Conceptual Engineering Design Workshop 2012 (ICED2012) - Design of a Mars Habitation System

Project Description: The NASA Senior Advisor for Innovation, Dr. Charles Camarda; is teaming with
experts in Mars exploration at MIT and around the country, to initiate the Innovative Conceptual Engineering Design (ICED) Challenge Program this Summer. This is a unique opportunity to enlist the collective intelligence and creativity of masses of students, engineers, scientists, artists and artisans across the country to solve very real and very challenging, epic, problems. This is a multi-year program which will begin this summer with a workshop at MIT to kick-off the first challenge: Surface Radiation Shielding and Ultra-Reliable Life Support Systems for a crewed habitat system on Mars. We are looking for undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year to participate in the program. Students will: - Participate in a one week "Innovation Bootcamp" (June 24th-29th) with high school teachers, graduate students, NASA engineers, and experts from across the country. The intent of this session is for participants to be immersed within the two challenges mentioned above; and to generate, build and test ideas for concepts to address them. Good concepts may receive funding from NASA subject matter experts for senior thesis/captone projects - Participate in a one week "Creative Concepts Collaboratory" (August 6th-10th). The format of this second session is similar to the Innovation Bootcamp, with the main difference being that you will work with high school teachers and graduate students to run the bootcamp for high school students. You will play the role of the mentor to high school student teams, and will encourage them to think creatively, while giving them technical guidance when required. Following this, you will continue to mentor the high school students virtually, as they work on their own ideas and concepts at their home schools for the 5-6 week period after the Collaboratory session.

Contact: Interested candidates should send their resumes to Sydney Do (sydneydo@mit.edu).
For more information on our research group's work, visit: strategic.mit.edu . For more information on the ICED2012 program, visit: http://bit.ly/ICED2012

5/16/2012
UROP Department: Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB)
Faculty Supervisor: Varies (see below)

Title: The Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB) will support 8 full-time UROPs during Summer 2012 for pay.

Project description: Undergraduate research topics may address any aspect of the social brain and its disorders, importantly including autism and related neurocognitive disorders. Topics may include but are not limited to: genes and genetic analyses; other risk factors; epidemiology; developmental time course; animal models; human stem cell models; human brain imaging; behavioral studies; mathematical modeling; biological and cognitive therapies; sensors and aids; and diagnosis and biomarkers.

Applications for summer 2012 Simons UROPs should include a brief proposal with a clear focus on the social brain and autism spectrum disorders, developed with a faculty mentor who will supervise your summer work.

If you have a faculty advisor in mind, please work together to develop a two to three page proposal which describes the context and scope of the project, a tentative work plan, your role in the UROP, and what you hope to get out of the experience, both academically and personally.

If you do not have a faculty advisor in mind, you can find potential advisors via the SCSB UROP Faculty website [http://mit.edu/scsb/uropfac.html] and contact them directly.

Please submit your proposal to the UROP office no later than 12 noon on Friday, May 18.

Simons Center UROPs are supported by the Simons Center for the Social Brain, the mission of which is to understand the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition and behavior, and to translate this knowledge into better diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Simons Center seeks proposals from undergraduates interested in studying ASDs from a diversity of perspectives including life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and engineering.

Contact: Eleana Ricci [ericci@mit.edu ], 617-253-9340

5/16/12
Department: MIT Media Lab / Fluid Interfaces Group
Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

Project Title: Amorphous Displays

Student Profile: Media Lab, CS, EE, Art and Design

Project Description: The Fluid Interfaces Group is looking for a full-time summer UROP to develop an amorphous display composed of interactive physical pixels. This project is a continuation of Six-Forty by Four-Eighty (http://fluid.media.mit.edu/people/marcelo/current/six-forty-by-four-eighty.html) and will focus primarily on the implementation of location sensing techniques, the development of new interaction models, and user interface design to allow a physically distributed display to show continuous graphics and animations. This is an amazing opportunity if you are interested in art, design and would like to see your work being deployed in the real world.

Requirements:
- Good understanding of software architecture
- Solid programming skills in C, C++ and Java (for Processing)
- Practical experience developing firmware for Arduino
- Practical experience integrating desktop UIs and custom electronics
- Hacker type that strives to think differently and come up with unorthodox solutions
- Ability to commit to and complete deliverables on time
- Great user interface design and user experience sensibility

Knowledge of AVR-Libc, OpenCV, basic computer vision principles, OpenFrameworks, iOS development and infrared communication protocols is a definite plus.

Contact: Marcelo Coelho (marcelo@media.mit.edu) with a short description of your skills and relevant experience.

5/16/12
Summer 2012
Department: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor George Church

Project Title: Synthetic Microbiomics

Project Description: We are looking for a talented self-motivated student with experience in molecular biology and outstanding hands-on skills to join a small team within the Biomaterials Evolution Platform of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, in the area of synthetic microbiomics. The goal of the research is to develop methods to engineer the human gut microflora to express synthetic circuits in the native gut environment.

Where: Harvard Medical School, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

Requirements: An ideal UROP should possess prior laboratory experience and a solid knowledge of molecular biology, bacterial culturing techniques (anaerobic and aerobic), and recombinant DNA protocols (PCR, gel-electrophoresis, transformation, cloning). Computational biology and programming experience is a strong plus. Other desirable skills include good judgment, excellent communication skills, exceptional organizational and critical thinking skills, lab notebook practices, and attention to detail. The UROP should have creativity, scientific curiosity, and the desire and ability to improve existing technology.

Responsibilities:
• Apply technical knowledge and practical skills to engineering the human microbiome
• Help develop and optimize protocols for DNA transformation of microbes
• Perform culturing and microscopy of anaerobic microbes
• Maintain lab records and consult with literature and team members to maintain professional expertise
• Work independently on routine work and receive instruction on new skills and tasks

Funding will be available.

Contact: Please submit resume/CV to Harris Wang (harrisw@mit.edu) and Stephanie Yaung (sjyaung@mit.edu ) with subject line: “UROP: Synthetic Microbiomics”

5/16/12
Department/Lab/Center: Edgerton Center D-Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rich Fletcher

Project Title: Mobile Phone App development for Health and Environmental Sensing

We have an opening for a summer UROP student to help develop various software mobile health applications on a mobile phone that incorporate NFC and Bluetooth. Sample applications include collecting air quality data from a solar powered sensor using NFC (Near-field Communication) or scanning new born babies to measure vital signs.

UROP tasks will include: Mobile application development on mobile phones using the Android JAVA SDK. We have also been exploring the use of AppInventor for simple apps, with support for NFC coming soon. We seek UROP students with good JAVA skills (with Android JAVA SDK). Our group has significant expertise with NFC and other wireless hardware and we have developed many Bluetooth apps previously. We were very closely with clinical and NGO partners in India and African countries. We are looking for a responsible student who is able to work independently and open to continuing working in our group into the fall term and beyond. Currently, there is only funding via UROP direct funding or UROP for credit.

EECS Student (6.x) or anyone with relevant experience

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

5/10/12
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Wai Cheng

Project Title: Translation of dilution tolerance for Gasoline SI Engine

Project Description: The project sponsor is Ford Motor company. It involves coming up with a practical model to translate dilution tolerance of an engine between different diluents of a gasoline internal combustion engine. The model will take the key input parameters of diluent properties and output combustion tolerance and other combustion related parameters. The diluents include nitrogen, water vapor and exhaust gas recirculation. This research position would be for the summer and continuing through the school year if desired. Work would consist primarily of setup, engine testing, and Matlab analysis. Compensation negotiable.

Prerequisities: Matlab, LabVIEW, and basic data acquisition / electronics would be helpful but not required

Contact: (troyn@mit.edu ) or Professor Cheng (wkcheng@mit.edu )

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Department: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Yarmush

Project Description: We are currently seeking 1-2 motivated undergraduate students to work on projects to (1) develop microfluidics for high-throughput cell based diagnostics, and (2) elucidate the biochemical mechanisms behind obesity induced inflammation in a cell culture model. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a high-throughput biological platform with the capability to measure the dynamics of activation of various biological processes. Students will get an opportunity to work in a highly multidisciplinary environment and be exposed to techniques such soft lithography, microfluidics, biological tissue culture/cell-staining technique, biochemical and enzymatic assays, fluorescent microscopy, image analysis, and fluid mechanics.

Who: Energetic and creative students capable of carrying out research projects independently (although mentoring will be available) are encouraged to apply. All applicants should be eager to learn and enthusiastic about their research.

Where: Students will work under the guidance of Post-doctoral Fellows in the laboratory of Professor Martin Yarmush at the Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Preferred Experience: As this project is interdisciplinary in nature, students from a variety of backgrounds such as (but not limited to) mechanical engineering, bioengineering, biology, and electrical engineering will find this project intriguing. This opportunity will begin this summer, with the UROPs able to continue work during the 2012-13 school year. Prior research experience is not required, although exposure to or experience with any of the techniques mentioned above will be useful.

Contact: Abhinav Bhushan, PhD abhush@gmail.com with:
1. CV or resume
2. Tentative schedule of available time for Summer 2012

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Professor Sanjay E. Sarma

Project Title: Indoor robotic wireless sensor network for luminosity mapping and hot spot estimation

Project Description: The Field Intelligence Lab is currently building a mobile wireless sensor network test bed using iRobot Create platforms and wireless light sensors, accelerometers. The system will be used to implement motion control and distributed sensing algorithms to perform spatio-temporal inference of a luminosity field and estimating locations of its hot spots.

Responsibilities of the UROP will include developing core components of the sensor network system. The first part of the project will involve developing a robot localization system using a combination of camera positioning system and accelerometers. A system of surveillance cameras overhanging from the ceiling will be used to identify differentiating markers on each robot. Absolute localization will be achieved through correlating the current marker locations with a previously developed map of the test bed. The estimates can be further improved by combing accelerometer data from the robots. The second part will involve setting up the light sources (light bulbs) on the test bed and identifying opportunities for creating a spatio-temporal field by moving the light bulbs in a controlled fashion. Subsequently, the UROP will be required to create a sensor box which will be surface mounted on the robots. The sensor box will include light sensors, accelerometers and a wireless radio like Xbee for data communication with a central computer for real time data analysis and generating motion control for the Bluetooth enabled iRobot platforms.

The project will involve programming in Python/Java/C and Matlab to interface between the various components of the system like cameras, sensors, wireless communication etc. Further, it will include hands-on work with electronics, wireless sensors and robotic platforms.

Requirements: Preferred courses: 6, 2 and 16. Candidates with experience in image processing, computer vision, robot navigation and sensor programming (Arduino, microcontroller) are preferred (but not necessary!). We expect the student to commit 40 hrs/week.

Compensation: The selected candidate will be paid at the standard UROP hourly rate for a period of 10-11 weeks over the summer. There are opportunities of extending the work for a senior thesis.

Contact: Interested candidates should send their resume to Sumeet Kumar (sumeetkr@mit.edu)

5/10/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan
Faculty Supervisor: Professors James Orlin and Giacomo Nannicini (Sloan and SUTD)

Project Title: Learning modeling in Optimization through AMPL

Project Description: We are looking for one UROP student to help in developing tools, tutorials and examples for modeling in the context of Optimization/Mathematical Programming. AMPL is a modeling language that is very useful for acquiring modeling skills, because it is a descriptive language where one describes a model almost like it would look "on paper". Unfortunately, it is not very user friendly and runs only through command line. We want to develop a very simple GUI to allow students to load their model and data, execute AMPL on them, and visualize the output. The GUI should run on the most common platforms. The UROP student should possess modeling skills and be motivated to develop AMPL tutorials and examples that students of an Optimization course can use to improve their modeling skills. Clearly we will provide guidance: this is a good opportunity to learn a modeling language more in-depth.

Required skills: Some knowledge of Java is required. Knowledge of a modeling language (AMPL, GAMS) is desirable but not required. Modeling skills are required: ideally, the student has taken an Optimization course (15.053/058 or equivalent).

Contact: If interested, please contact nannicin@mit.edu and jorlin@mit.edu

5/10/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab, Fluid Interfaces Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Pattie Maes

Project Title: LuminAR: Robotic Augmented Reality Interfaces - CS, EE, ME UROPs

Project Description: The fluid interfaces group in the Media Lab is looking for a full-time summer UROP to develop the next generation electronics hardware for LuminAR, our robotic augmented-reality platform. What is LuminAR? Marry a computer, sensors and a projector into the form-factor of a lightbulb, then make it the brains of a robot. Pixar's Luxo Jr. made real. Watch a video here: http://bit.ly/J8pXps

EE UROP Position:
  - Know microcontrollers, ARMs etc.
  - Can lay out and fab boards
  - Love to build. We build lots of prototypes. Fast.
  - But you have a steady hand for soldering, appreciate craft, detail, and design too.
  - Really really really want to change the world.

CS UROP Position:
  - Good command of software architecture
  - Solid programming skills in C/C++ and Python/Java
  - Love to write code and work in fast iterations
  - Knowledge of OpenCV and basic Computer Vision principles
  - Really really really want to change the world.

ME UROP Position:
– Are a Solidworks master
– Love to build. We build lots of prototypes. Fast.
– But you appreciate craft, detail, and design too.
– Know how to drive Bridgeports, laser-cutters, water-jet and all varieties of fabrication tools.
– Really really really want to change the world.

Contact: To apply, contact Rony Kubat (kubat@media.mit.edu) and Natan Linder (linder@media.mit.edu).

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Thomas Malone

Project Description: The Center for Collective Intelligence is seeking an undergraduate to assist in a study on "Measuring Collective Intelligence." We study the basic intelligence factor that underlies human group performance in a variety of domains and have worked in settings such as companies, universities, and the military. This summer, we will be collecting data for two studies: a cross-validation study that compares group performance in an online versus an in-person setting and a cross-cultural study on the performance of culturally heterogenous groups whose members are from nations in conflict.

The UROP student will be responsible for coordinating data collection, administering the study in laboratory and online settings, helping to manage data and assisting in improvement of study design. This position would appeal to students with an interest in psychology, organizational behavior, or collective intelligence. An ideal candidate is organized, intellectually curious, and interested in interdisciplinary approaches to studying group behavior.

Contact: If interested, please submit your resume with a brief email that explains your interest to both Lisa Jing (lisajing@mit.edu ) and David Engel (dengel@mit.edu ).

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

Project Title: Direct 3D manipulation of virtual objects using the Kinect

Project Description: The Media Lab's Fluid Interfaces Group is seeking motivated undergraduate students with experience in Computer Graphics. We are exploring new ways to interact with 3D digital content in a remote collaborative setting. The collaborators see their live video image in a shared 3D virtual space and can point at data such as slides or 3D models and draw on them with virtual pens or alter them with natural gestures. The UROP will learn and code in C++ / OpenGL and OpenNI. In addition to technical implementation, UROP students will use their creativity and may have the opportunity to co-author conference papers. To learn more about the project, please contact Anette von Kapri directly.
http://fluid.media.mit.edu/

Requirements: Interest/Experience in Computer Graphics (OpenGL) and Programming (C++) is essential. Experience in programming the Kinect with OpenNI is a strong plus. More importantly, motivation to learn, hack, and build is essential. We are expecting UROPs to work full time (40 hours-week).

Contact: Anette von Kapri (kapri@media.mit.edu) to learn more about the project.

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Leah Buechley

Project Description: Codeable Objects is a Java library designed for the Processing programing environment that allows users to design physical objects using programing. The library enables the user to create tool paths that can be used in conjunction with digital fabrication tools (laser cutters and 3d printers) to create the finished product. See http://hero-worship.com/portfolio/codeable-objects/ <http://hero-worship.com/portfolio/codeable-objects/?p=1718> for more information on the project.

The selected candidate will assist in the migration of the library from Java to C++ and work in conjunction with the primary researcher to add new methods and test new features. Ideal candidates should be highly motivated, organized individuals with significant interest in creative programing, user-empowerment and / or craft and aesthetics. Be prepared to both write code and build things!

Required Skills:
Significant programming experience with C++ and Java.

Familiarity with OpenGL.

Additional Skills: Experience in algorithm design and/ or computational geometry.

Familiarity with the process of writing an interpreter, or a healthy interest in learning.

Duration: June-August, with a possibility of an extension into the following semester.

This will be a paid position.

Contact: Interested candidates should submit an email to Jennifer Jacobs (jacobsj@media.mit.edu) with the subject line "hlt urop". Please include, a short statement of interest, a CV or resume, and links to samples of prior work (if available).

http://hlt.media.mit.edu/?p=2302

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School/ORC
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Steve Graves

Project Title: Inventory modeling for display manufacturing process

Project Description: The project provides a great opportunity for students interested in the area of operations research, operations management and supply chain optimization. The project concerns modeling an LCD display manufacturing line to model the inventory within the system. The model will then be used to optimize inventory within the manufacturing line so as to achieve the most production with the least amount of inventory and flow time. The UROP student will be expected to assist and contribute on all aspects of the project during the summer of 2012. The project is carried out in collaboration with an industrial partner and will provide the UROP student experience in the application of research work in real-life industry.

Prerequisites: Requires basic knowledge of operations management principles, programming skills in Matlab and an ability to work independently reporting to the principal investigator. We would prefer students who can give full-time commitment for June and July 2012.

Contact: Ketan Nayak at knayak@mit.edu

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Alvar Saenz Otero

Project Title: Zero Robotics Game Design & Programming

Project Description: The Zero Robotics (http://zerorobotics.mit.edu/) competition allows high-school students to program the SPHERES satellites (http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres) and compete first in simulation; the finalists have their code run by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The competition follows the model of FIRST Robotics with a technically challenging game and a concentrated tournament season, but complements FIRST's hardware focus with a strong emphasis on computer programming.

During Summer 2012 the Zero Robotics team will be completing a game developed during the spring term to be released in the 2012 tournament this fall.

We are looking for one more student to join the Zero Robotics team. The student must have strong programming skills in order to help implement the game in the SPHERES satellites. The satellites are programmed in C within a real-time environment Kernel. In addition to the actual programming, the student will help test the game. Therefore, we seek students interested in game design, helping bring the game from a prototype level to a refined, balanced final implementation. Tasks will include completion or redesign of game elements from the prototype concept, extensive testing, and development of "standard players" to be used as initial opponents in the fall tournament. Code developed as part of this project will be used by thousands of students this fall and run on real hardware aboard the space station.

Target years: any

Previous experience: must have strong programming experience in C or Java; previous game design a plus; 16.35, 6.170, 6.370 or equivalent a plus; alum of a FIRST robotics team a plus

UROP type: for pay (Summer 2012)

Hours: full time (30-40 hours per week)

Contact: Alvar Saenz Otero (alvarso@mit.edu)

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Townsend

Project Title: Wealth Management for the Poor project

Project Description: We are conducting a ‘wealth management for the Poor’ program for households in Thailand. Our program contains a series of educational modules, explaining economic and financial concepts to households, and describing the local availability and functioning of various financial products (savings, insurance, credit).

Most importantly, we use a computerized tool which lets households determine their optimal savings, their investment in risky and safe assets and their borrowing. This tool is called the “Planner” and consists of a dynamic lifecycle code which performs consumption smoothing, in a more sophisticated way than most banks’ software currently does.

This program will be evaluated through a randomized experiment, in which randomly selected households will go through the program and subsequently be surveyed for a year to determine the impact of the Planner and training. The focus of this UROP is essentially on the Planner. The Planner is already programed (in MATLAB), but needs to be run for every household in the sample, using household-specific inputs, provided in real-time by workers who interview the households.

We are looking for someone who will be based at MIT and who will be able to run the MATLAB code and generate the necessary output for each household, using the inputs provided. The person who will perform this job will be a crucial component of our program and will use both its computer skills, as well as learn and apply a lot of economic reasoning to input the right parameters and generate the right outputs to show households. This is a very responsible task: it has the potential to deeply influence the economic decisions of households.

Skills and experience needed:
- Very good knowledge of MATLAB.
- Understanding of dynamic programing and optimization.
- Good mathematics skills.
- Some economics knowledge is very useful. Preferred candidates will have taken at least an introductory micro or macroeconomic course.

The student will first receive a training in economics and programing, which will be very valuable as a learning experience.

Employment Details:
- The position will be full-time (37.5 hours), spanning July through September.
- Preference will be given to candidates who can also work during the following academic year, either part or full time.
- Competitive wage based on qualifications.
- The work location will be an office at the Department of Economics at MIT.

Contact: Please send resumes to Stefanie Stantcheva (stefanie@mit.edu).

5/4/12
UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Ki Goosens

Project Title: Mechanisms of Stress-induced Behavioral Pathology

Project Description: We are seeking 1-2 students to work on projects elucidating the biochemical mechanisms behind stress-induced behavioral pathology.

Stress is both a physical and emotional phenomena that most children and adults experience at some point in their lives. Though short-term stress experience may be beneficial, long-term or repeated exposure can lead to the development of many pathophysiological conditions. Our lab is specifically interested in the neural processes that underlie the development of emotionally and behaviorally relevant stress pathologies, and how these molecular mechanisms fit into larger biological systems.

Students will work with a rodent model to examine these questions at multiple experimental levels including (but not limited to) protein assays, imaging techniques, surgical procedures, and behavioral experiments.

Pre-requisites: We are looking for students that can commit 20-40 hours per week through the summer and who have strong interest in neuroscience and biology. Additionally, students should be comfortable working independently, but also asking for help when needed. All applicants should be eager to learn and enthusiastic about their research.

Students in their first or second year that have an interest in staying through fall are especially encouraged to apply, though all applicants from all years are very welcome.

Contact: Rebecca Canter (rgcanter@mit.edu) with:
1. One paragraph explanation of your interest in neuroscience and our lab.
2. CV or resume
3. Tentative schedule of available time for Summer 2012

5/4/12
UROP Department: Sloan School
Faculty Supervisor: Drazen Prelec

Project Title: Psychology and Neuroscience of Economic Behavior

Project Description: While people often make choices based on features of the decision problem like time, risk, and strategic concerns they are also susceptible to the influence of psychological variables. In this UROP position, we will explore how different aspects of the decision maker’s psychology affect behavior in ways that reliably depart from the predictions of the rational economic model. Topics explored will include altruism, fairness, self-control, disgust, and placebo effects. Methods applied will primarily involve behavioral experiments but will also apply genetic polymorphism typing and fMRI.

Experiments will be run primarily in the MIT Behavioral Research Lab, and UROPs will work on multiple projects over the course of the semester. This is an excellent opportunity for students with a background in psychology, neurobiology, or economics with an interest in the psychological mechanisms of behavior, especially for those considering graduate school in a related discipline. This UROP primarily involves hands-on experience with conducting research, and is for-credit only.

Prerequisites: Must be dependable, conscientious, and have strong English language skills for regular interaction with participants. Familiarity with one or more of the following is useful: Qualtrics, Medialab, DirectRT, Matlab, Python, JMP, or other statistical analysis software. Background in microeconomic theory and/or cognitive neuroscience is a plus.

Time: This UROP position is part-time and will involve approximately 8-10 hours per week.

Contact: Send your summer schedule, resume, and academic interests/experience to Sachin Banker at banker@mit.edu

5/4/12
Multiple Openings
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Alfredo Alexander-Katz

Project #1: Controlled Drug Delivery System based on MEMS.

Student Profile: Electrical/Mechanical Engineering

Key words: MEMS, Design, Electrical Characterization, Modeling, Drug Delivery System.

Project Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic person with some experience in analog circuits interested in Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS). The project relates to the development of a controlled drug delivery system to develop customized treatments. Our novel system is battery-less and can be implantable. Our group is focused on translational research to make a direct impact on society by creating novel biomedical devices for both therapeutics and diagnostics that address specific clinical needs.

Preferred Experience: analog and digital circuits, MEMS, electrical characterization, Solidworks, statics, dynamics, and basic biology.

The person should have a passion for novel design and innovation. This position is for money or credit.

Contact:
Noel Elman, PhD
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
Office: 617.324.6447
e-mail: nelman@mit.edu

-------------------

Project #2: Rapid Reconstitution Packages.

Student Profile: Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Key words: ELISA, HPLC, Immunoassays, Controlled Release

Project Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic person with some experience in biological engineering for help with characterization of biomedical microdevices. In particular, we are developing new devices that extend drug shelf-life, overall stability, and ease of use for ambulatory settings. Our group is focused on translational research to make a direct impact on society by creating novel biomedical devices for both therapeutics and diagnostics that address specific clinical needs.

Preferred Experience: Immunoassays, ELISA, HPLC and basic lab courses.

The person should have a passion for novel design and innovation. This position is for money or credit.

Contact:
Noel Elman, PhD
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
Office: 617.324.6447
e-mail: nelman@mit.edu

-------------------

Project #3: General Industrial/Mechanical Engineering Design

Student Profile: Industrial Design, Media Lab, Mechanical Engineering, Art 3D.

Key Words: CAD, Solidworks, Design, 3d Printer. Presentations

Project Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic person that can help us with design of biomedical devices from the functional, ergonomic, and aesthetic point of view. In particular, the person is going to help researcher materialize their ideas by creating 3D renders using Solidworks. We have recently acquired a top of the line 3D printer with a 16 um resolution. The student will help us run the 3d
printer, as well as help with design ideas for biomedical devices. The position is very multidisciplinary. Our group is focused on translational research to make a direct impact on society by creating novel biomedical devices for both therapeutics and diagnostics that address specific clinical needs.

Preferred Experience: CAD, Solidworks, Basic Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or Art Background.

The person should have a passion for novel design and innovation. This position is for money or credit.

Contact:
Noel Elman, PhD
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
Office: 617.324.6447
e-mail: nelman@mit.edu

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

Project Title: Novel 3D interfaces with physical tools reaching into the screen

Project Description: The Media Lab’s Tangible Media Group is seeking motivated undergraduate students with experience in Computer Graphics. We are inventing novel tools to phase-shift between digital and physical states; to allow people to reach into a 3D screen and directly manipulate volumetric data. (Hardware infrastructure is already set up). The UROP will learn and code in C++ / OpenGL or C# / XNA. In addition to technical implementation, UROP students will use their creativity and may have the opportunity to co-author conference papers. To learn more about the project, please contact with Jinha Lee or visit the following websites about related work.
http://gizmodo.com/jinha-lee/
http://media.mit.edu/~jinhalee/beyond

Requirements: Interest/Experience in Computer Graphics (OpenGL) and Programming (C++) is essential. GPU-level programming experience is a strong plus, but not essential. More importantly, motivation to learn, hack, and build is essential! We are expecting UROPs to work full time (40 hours-week).

Contact: Jinha Lee (jinhalee@media.mit.edu) to learn more about the project.

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

Project Title: 3D Gestural Operating Environment

Project Description: If pixels can float around your body in mid-air, how would we navigate through websites? The Media Lab's Tangible Media Group is developing novel volumetric operating environments with 3D input and display technologies. We are seeking motivated undergraduate students with experience in Computer Graphics. The UROP will learn and code in C++ / OpenGL or C# / XNA. In addition to technical implementation, UROP students will use their creativity and may have the opportunity to co-author conference papers. To learn more about the project, please contact with Jinha Lee or visit the following websites about related work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-IGzBOcAhw
http://leejinha.com

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

Project Title: Anti-gravity 3D Interaction Element.

Project Description: The Tangible Media Group at the MIT Media Lab seeks an undergraduate student with experience in software development. ZeroN is an anti-gravity interaction element that can float and move in space by computer controlled magnetic levitation. We will develop novel applications with ZeroN: a tangible physics simulator application, and animation prototyping tool. For more information about the project please visit. http://media.mit.edu/~jinhalee/zeron

Requirements: UROP's work will involve software development in C++ /OpenGL / python. In addition to technical implementation, UROP students will have opportunities to use their creativity, leading to co-authoring conference papers or demonstrate at public exhibitions. Course-6 knowledge or equivalent experience is required. Knowledge in Control Theory is a strong plus but not essential. However, motivation to learn, hack, and build is essential. We are expecting UROPs to work full time (40 hours-week).

Contact: Jinha Lee (jinhalee@media.mit.edu) to learn more about the project.

4/27/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paula Hammond

Project Title: Dynamic Biomaterials for Diabetic Ulcer Healing

Project Description: The focus of this project is to develop new therapeutic wound dressing for the treatment of diabetic ulcers. One in four diabetics will develop at least one chronic foot ulcer during their lifetime, although multiple wounds are common due to a staggering 70% rate of reoccurrence. Of these, an estimated 12% of chronic wounds do not heal following treatment with current therapies and result in subsequent lower extremity amputation.

This project uses layer-by-layer assembly to create new biologically active wound dressings. These dressings aim to release distinct temporal sequences of growth factors to promote the healing process. UROPs can expect a highly interdisciplinary experience that includes film fabrication & characterization, in vitro cell and tissue culture, and in vivo testing and analysis. This includes biological techniques such as ELISA, RT-PCR, and migration/proliferation assays, along with physical characterization including AFM and SEM. This opportunity will begin this summer, with UROPs able to continue work during the 2012-13 school year given preference. Prior research experience is not required, although exposure to any of the techniques mentioned above would be useful.

Contact: Please send your resume/CV to Dr. Ben Almquist (almquist@mit.edu)

4/27/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Broad
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paul Blainey

Project Title: Algorithms and infrastructure for high-throughput analysis of image data

Project Description: Ever wonder what molecules look like? This project is your chance to apply image analysis and programming skills to optimize a workflow for analyzing the images of individual protein molecules. You will work at the algorithm level to improve computational efficiency, help design the software and network architecture to manage data flows, and put the two together to formulate data reduction and archiving strategies. Your improved and validated pipeline will be scaled up on the new architecture to handle large data volumes.

Prerequisites: Requires strong programming skills (matlab, BASH, & more desired), and an ability to work independently, reporting to the principal investigator.

Contact: Angela Florentino aflorent@broadinstitute.org

4/27/12
Multiple Openings
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Olivier de Weck

Project Title #1: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Scale-Up of New Manufacturing Firms in Massachusetts and Beyond.

Project Description: There is increased interest in understanding how new firms, such as those emerging out of MIT's laboratories and classrooms, are created and how they make initial production decisions. What are the key ingredients to successful growth including availability of talented employees, capital and access to market knowledge? In this research we will analyze a set of databases including one containing 10,990 patent-related items from MIT's Technology Licensing Office, a list of 238 startup firms coming out of MIT between 1997 and 2010 as well as a list of over 600 companies that underwent an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Massachusetts since 1980. In all cases we seek to understand the intertwined technological and financial trajectory and underlying drivers of a firm's ability or inability to scale up and what the role is of strategic moves such as license manufacturing, entering into Joint Ventures as well as undergoing Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). Specific tasks for this UROP will be the harvesting of venture capital data from the VentureXpert database, the establishment of integrated storyboards and timelines for selected firms as well as focused interviews of firms that underwent mergers and acquisitions. The UROP will work as part of a larger team within the MIT Production in the Innovation Economy (PIE) commission and will be physically hosted at the MIT Industrial Performance Center (IPC).

UROP for credit or for pay (standard MIT hourly rate of $9.75/hour applies).

Contacts: Prof. Olivier de Weck (deweck@mit.edu), Dr. Liz Reynolds (lbr@mit.edu)

---------------------
Project Title #2: Finding Potential Big Wins in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in the U.S.

Project Description: There is strong renewed interest in manufacturing in the U.S. and MIT continues to be a research leader in this area. New manufacturing, however, will look quite different from traditional factories that relied mainly on manual labor for fabrication, assembly and quality inspection. We envision new 21st century factories that are much smaller, more flexible and high-tech and will enable but also require new advanced manufacturing and design technologies such as nano-manipulation and surface structuring, continuous manufacturing of large molecules and pharmaceuticals, smart collaborative automation and advanced robotics, the ability to sense and act upon multi-level sensor data in real time, as well as the ability to save energy and remanufacture and recycle materials at an unprecedented scale, among others. This UROP position will help consolidate prior research on advanced manufacturing technologies conducted at MIT, at other universities and in private firms and government labs. Available data includes a scan of over 20 MIT laboratories that was conducted in 2011, an in-depth-literature search of about 500 papers and survey results from a survey of 85 department and program heads in manufacturing and industrial engineering. Selected interviews with manufacturing innovators will complement the data analysis. The outcome of the research will be summarized in a report to be included in a future book and will document observable trends but will also include some more risky "big ideas" with less certain trajectory but potentially high payoff. The UROP will work as part of a larger team within the MIT Production in the Innovation Economy (PIE) commission and will be physically hosted at the MIT Industrial Performance Center (IPC).

UROP for credit or for pay (standard MIT hourly rate of $9.75/hour applies).

Contacts: Prof. Olivier de Weck (deweck@mit.edu), Prof. Sanjay Sarma (sesarma@mit.edu)

4/25/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Sciences/Early Childhood Cognition Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Laura Schulz

Project Title: Causal Learning and Exploratory Play in Early Childhood

Project Description: We're searching for 1-2 dedicated UROPs to work part-time (20-30 hours/week, flexible, weekends optional) during the summer of 2012. Students with experience working in schools or with children in a research setting will be well-qualified.

Our lab studies how children and infants learn about the world. Specifically, our research projects investigate how young children learn about various causal relationships through active exploration of their environment. We have a partnership with the Boston Children's Museum, where most of our recruiting and testing takes place. As a research assistant, your work in our lab will include running behavioral studies in the museum, coding behavioral data, and building stimuli (toys!) for research projects. Specific details of the work will depend on the research project you'll be involved in, and UROPs are involved in the full research process.

Specific to testing in the museum, we are looking for who are comfortable interacting with children and their parents. We may also be running some studies in our lab for adults. For more information, please visit our website: http://web.mit.edu/eccl/

Prerequisites: 9.00, or other demonstrated interest in course 9

Contact: Danny Friel (lab coordinator): dfriel@mit.edu 617-324-4859

4/25/12
Department: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Antoinette Schoar

We are looking for a UROP to work on a project related to housing and finane markets.The ideal candidate must have familiarity with STATA (programming skills with Matlab is a plus) and knowledge of basic econometric analysis.

Interest in finance-related topics needed. Main task will be the analysis of data on housing transaction and related financial information.

Project description: The last financial crisis made clear how important is to understand the behavior of housing markets, and what is the role of financial markets in it.

We will like to understand using micro-level data, what are the links between this two markets. Some of our question are: What are the drivers of house price appreciation? How and why, house prices evolve over time? What are the interactions between house prices and labor markets?

Contact: Felipe Severino, (fseverin@mit.edu)

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Donald R. Sadoway

Project Title: Advanced manufacturing of precious alloys (Funded Position)

Project Description: This new project is launched in direct collaboration with one of the leading end-user of precious metals (jewelery, silverware, ...). The objective is to provide a new manufacturing process that enables higher productivity and lower scrap-rate. In this scope, a new electrochemical method for alloys manufacture is proposed. The summer project consists in investigating various electrochemical systems that enable the co-deposition of metals of various shapes, with well defined composition. The student will learn advanced electrochemical techniques, and will have the opportunity to develop his own experimental set-up.

Contact: Dr A. Allanore (allanore@mit.edu )

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Charles M. Oman

Project Title: High Speed Rail Planning and Scheduling Displays

Project Description: The US DOT Federal Railroad Administration is supporting a study to develop a real-time scheduling decision support display and a heads up display concept for high speed passenger rail applications. Goals are reduced operator workload, improved situational awareness, and increased safety and efficiency.

We are looking for a motivated UROP to create a working display application that interfaces with train simulators. The display will be implemented on an iPad so familiarity with Xcode and Objective-C is preferred, however, working knowledge of C++ or other object oriented language is needed at minumum. The display design will be an iterative process so coding for flexibility and changing requirements is important. The UROP will be working with two faculty members and a graduate research assistant who will help guide the display design. The display will be evaluated by subject matter experts and through preliminary user testing.
This is a paid (or credit) UROP for Summer 2012. There is the possibility of continuing the UROP position in the 2012-13 academic year.

Prerequisites: Applicants should have strong interest in software development, graphical displays and human factors. Experience with object oriented programming.

Contact: Dr. Charles M. Oman (coman@MIT.EDU )

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics Research Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi

Project Description: This project is looking for one student to assist in the design, analysis, and testing of a thermal insulator and dissipater for a robot working in extreme environments. The robot is designed to perform remote inspections in holding tanks at very low temperatures and in an explosive environment. The project will involve analysis and testing of a prototype unit to confirm performance.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of heat-transfer analysis required. Experimental experience preferred. Experience with CAD is a plus.

Contact: Any responses to this advertisement should be sent to Ethan Heller (ebheller@mit.edu ). Please attach a CV and include the number of hours available per week for the summer.

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Patrikalakis

Project description: We are interested in hiring a motivated computer science student to work on a robotics project. The student will be asked to work with other students to implement a C++ (object oriented) code for path planning robotics application using randomized algorithms(such as RRT, PRM, EST)

Requirements: The student has advanced knowledge of C++ programming and computer systems. Major in Computer Science (Junior Level) is strongly preferred.

Contact: Maria Riefstahl (maria@MIT.EDU )

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Sangeeta Bhatia

Project Title: Human liver microtissues for drug metabolism

Project Description: The liver is the chemical reactor of the body: it is responsible for over 500 metabolic reactions, including some that process desirable drugs into inactive or highly toxic secondary forms. Furthermore, liver metabolism differs widely between species, and many of these secondary metabolites are only produced by human liver cells (hepatocytes). In vitro models incorporating hepatocytes encapsulated within 3D tissue-engineered scaffolds may help predict such species-specific responses, and consequently help predict unexpected in vivo side effects. We are seeking a UROP who will work closely with a graduate student to develop and characterize model human liver tissues for long-term studies of metabolism and cytotoxicity. The student will be exposed to and acquire skills in cell culture, biomaterials, biochemical assays, data analysis, fluorescence microscopy, large particle flow cytometry, and microfabrication.

Prerequisites: Candidates must be conscientious and self-motivated, available to start as soon as possible to begin training, and plan to continue through the summer (for credit) and the following academic year (15-20 hrs/week). Prior lab experience is strongly preferred, but being a fast-learner is required.

Contact: Please send cover letter and CV to Cheri Li (cheriyli@mit.edu ).

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rakesh Jain

Project Description: Interested in learning laboratory basic and translational research and contribute to the cancer field this summer? We have one position available for an undergraduate student to join a new project in the Edwin Steele Laboratory for Tumor Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School) dealing with environmental influences on cancer progression. The laboratory is led by Dr Rakesh K. Jain, Professor of Tumor Biology and an HST-affiliated faculty member. Specifically, we aim to study how metabolic derangements like obesity can promote tumor growth, and whether therapy targeting this connection can be effective against cancer.

You will be given the possibility to learn/practice in vivo and in vitro techniques and to perform data analysis. You will be able to work with mouse models, perform basic mouse surgery, microscopy (confocal/intravital imaging), immunohistochemistry, cell culture and several in vitro techniques (RNA preparations and qPCR, Western blot analysis for protein expression, ELISA for protein quantification, and others).

Applicants should preferably have some research experience and an interest in cancer research in general and in tumor biology in particular, and be willing to continue over the winter semester. But above all, be enthusiastic and eager to learn and contribute to a research project addressing an important issue in the cancer field.

Significant contributions will be recognized with co-authorship on manuscripts published as a direct result of the student's work.

More information about the laboratory can be found on the website http://steele.mgh.harvard.edu

Contact: Joao Incio, MD. jincio@steele.mgh.harvard.edu

4/18/12
School: Sloan School of Management
Project Supervisor: Aleksandra Kacperczyk

Project Title: Innovation in Large Organizations

Project Description: This project will collect survey data on innovation in large established firms. The goal of this project is to examine organizational structures, practices and processes that influence internal venturing in established firms in the United States. In particular, we are interested in understanding what happens to new ideas that are generated internally and ideas that are sourced externally. By creating a database of projects and new ventures in large firms, we will be able to assess the processes underlying innovation.

We are looking for the Summer UROP to help us develop and administer surveys, collect data and manage the data. Additional tasks may involve producing summary stats and analyzing the collected data.

Prerequisites: General interest in social science research, data management and enthusiasm are an asset.

Contact: Please, email CV to olenka@mit.edu

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty Supervisor: Ceasar McDowell

Project Description: The City of Cambridge in conjunction with MIT is conducting a city wide campaign on Domestic Violence. This UROP position is for an individual to work on the social media an content analytics components of the project. For the social media component the student will be creating social media presence for the campaign. The social media presence will center on creating a one stop resource on the top issues on domestic violence that emerge from the campaign. In addition, the content analysis will focus on putting data from the campaign into a content analytic tool, and running analysis of the content.

Prerequisites: clear communication, interest in social media and some familiarity with content analytic

Contact: Dr. Ceasar McDowell (ceasar@mit.edu)

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty Supervisor: Carlo Ratti

Project Title: UROP POSITION ON DATA ANALYSIS OF URBAN NETWORKS

The Senseable City Lab at DUSP is seeking one or two Computer Science/Mathematics UROP candidates with strong background in statistics and analytics tools (such as Matlab, R, Maple or similar) and some programming skills (preferably Java or C) to join our research efforts on the LIVE Singapore! project.

Project description: Over the past several years, the SENSEable City Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has carried out extensive research into the use of real-time data generated by urban networks and systems. LIVE Singapore! addresses the development of a real-time data platform enabling the collection, combination and distribution of large numbers of different data streams generated by a city's infrastructures, systems and sensor networks. Over the past first year of the project we have gained access to large sets of data from different network sources (cellphone, electricity, transportation, environmental sensors,…) and are carrying out data analysis on these data sets to direct our work with real time data and multiple ways of making it intelligible by means of data visualizations.

More information about the comprehensive LIVE Singapore! project can be found here:
http://senseable.mit.edu/livesingapore

Skills requirements & responsibilities: The suitable candidate will work closely with the project's team of researchers for 10-15 hours a week to assist in the analysis of diverse data sets as well as the pre-processing of them for the purpose of visualizations, supporting this project over the summer 2012 period. The ideal UROP would have a strong background in statistics and analytics tools (such as Matlab, R, Maple or similar) and some programming skills (preferably Java or C). We are looking for a highly organized, motivated individual, who is able to collaborate with people across multiple time zones (to include conference calls in the early morning/evening).

The successful UROP will be collaborating closely with the project's researchers in Boston and Singapore: Kristian Kloeckl (project leader), Carlo Ratti (lab director), Afian Anwar, Rex Britter, Pedro Cruz, Oliver Senn, Tony Vanky.

Contact: Please send applications to
senseable-applicants@mit.edu

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Charles Cooney

Project Title: Emerging Products and Technologies in Biomanufacturing

Project Description: As part of its agenda on regional innovation, MIT’s Industrial Performance Center (IPC) is working with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to understand how to deepen and advance the biomanufacturing industry in the New England region. This research project will focus in particular on new, emerging technologies and products and involve determining the assets within the region (companies, research institutions, collaborations) that are positioned to help drive the development of these new innovative areas.

Project Background: Biomanufacturing, specifically of large molecules, is one of the most complex types of manufacturing that exists. The challenge of scaling up living organisms combined with purifying their products to ensure safe administration to human beings creates a high-risk process technically, financially, and from a public health perspective. It is this complexity that rooted the industry in the U.S. two decades ago, spurred continued investment over the past twenty years and today plays to the country’s competitive advantages – a technologically advanced, innovative industry that requires highly skilled workers with commensurately high pay. For all of these reasons, the U.S., and specifically New England, has been a global leader in this industry.

The UROP student will research trends and developments in the biotech and biomanufacturing fields related to emerging products and technologies and will help develop a strategy for the region based on regional gaps and capabilities. Research will involve web-based research, analysis of secondary material, as well as talking with companies, industry leaders and university researchers about their work. The student will help with developing the content of a new web-based tool that will create an inventory of all of the biomanufacturing-related work going on in the Massachusetts region. The student will have the opportunity to present their work to the Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Roundtable at their Fall 2012 meeting. Dr. Elisabeth Reynolds, Executive Director of the IPC, will oversee the day-to-day work of the student with additional guidance and feedback from Professor Charlie Cooney.

The project is initially offered for the summer but could be extended into the fall of 2012.

A background in biology, chemistry or chemical engineering in preferred.

Contact: To apply for the position please send a brief letter of intent describing your background and interest in this project to lbr@mit.edu .

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Fiona Murray

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: There is often a limited amount of private, for-profit capital available to early-stage entrepreneurial projects in areas such as energy, water and disease because neither pure philanthropic nor pure profit motives are sufficient to justify investment. Traditional explanations for funding gaps at this stage fail to recognize that the gap is not only one of risk but also a poor matching between the social and private interests of “investors” and the types of vehicles that might allow a mix of philanthropic and financial motives to sit side-by-side. The development of such approaches have the potential to advance many areas of science and engineering that hold solutions to global issues, such as health, environment, water, and energy.

UROP TASKS:
(1) Organize an Excel workbook of all grants made from private foundations to universities that rank among the top 50 sites for science and engineering research.

(2) Compile list of all cleantech firms that have received Series A funding since 1990.

(3) Find and record funding sources for all science and engineering research that subsequently earned the Nobel Prize, whether from the government, private sector, or philanthropy.

RECRUITING PREFERENCES:
Undergraduate juniors or seniors only
Excellent Excel/Stata skills required
Regression analysis ability preferred

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Project RA: Sarah Wood – swood@mit.edu
Project PI: Fiona Murray – fmurray@mit.edu

4/18/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum
Faculty Supervisor: John Durant

Project Description: The MIT Museum has up to four full-time summer UROP positions available as part of its Museum Studio.

The MIT Museum Studio is a new space for student experimental projects using technologies for communication in the Museum environment. Examples are visual displays that take advantage of and educate about current research findings in perception, new forms of interactive display, and collaborative projects led by established artists. The projects use the Museum floor as a testbed, engaging Museum visitors in trying out and responding to the works in progress.

This summer, the Museum Studio will be working on projects in the following areas.

Robot sensing and navigation
3D printing
Programmed LED display

We are especially looking for programmers and students with knowledge and experience in robotics software and hardware. Students with interest and experience in visual display and design are also encouraged to get in touch. If you think your interests and abilities are a good match for the Museum Studio, please email for more details and include a brief description of your background and interests.

Contact: Allan Doyle afdoyle@mit.edu and Seth Riskin riskin@mit.edu
Co-Directors, MIT Museum Studio

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences – Geobiology Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Roger Summons

Project Title: Ecological resilience to extreme climates and mass extinctions.

The Geobiology Group is seeking for two highly organized, motivated and responsible students interested in studying the resilience of marine planktonic communities to extreme climates and mass extinction events in earth’s history.

Project description: The Geobiology Lab is devoted to the study of cell membrane lipids (biomarkers) found in modern environments, their fossilized remains (biomarkers; molecular fossils) preserved in sedimentary records, as well as their stable isotopic composition (i.e., δ13C, δD). In combination with geochemical and paleontological approaches, these tools allow us to unravel the evolutionary trajectory of life across critical boundary events in earth's history. This project will involve the study of new high–resolution sedimentary records across the end-Triassic and end-Cretaceous. These results are expected to shed light into how major extinctions influence biological evolution and ecosystem resilience, and to unravel the role of eukaryotic and prokaryotic picophytoplankton in sustaining carbon fixation.

Skill requirements and responsibilities: Students are expected to be involved in the preparation of samples for organic geochemical and isotopic analyses, use of gas chromatography–metastable reaction–mass spectrometry (GC–MRM–MS) and isotope ratio-MS (GC-ir-MS), processing and interpretation of data, and work in a multidisciplinary and international research setting. This project will run over the summer and/or fall, and starting dates and working hours are negotiable. The UROP students will work closely with a team of postdocs, lab technicians, and graduate students. We will consider all candidates, but having some knowledge in chemistry and laboratory experience is desirable.

Contact: Interested candidates should send a CV to Prof. Roger E. Summons (rsummons@mit.edu ) and Dr. Julio Sepúlveda (juliosep@mit.edu )

4/18/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Emery Brown

Project Description: We are looking for a UROP to help analyze single neuron and local field potential data in Matlab. We study the regulation of loss of consciousness during sleep and anesthesia and need someone who is very experienced in Matlab to do complex statistical analysis and who is able to teach it to other lab members. This position would ideally start right away and go on through the summer with the possibility of extending it to the fall.

Prerequisites: Experience with Matlab and statistics

Contact: Christa at vandortc@mit.edu , please include your resume and a brief statement of your interest in computational neuroscience research.

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Sam Allen

Photovoltaic Manufacturing Lab’s Experimental Goals: Photovoltaic cells produce emission-free electricity without moving parts, large capital investment, or active cooling. Modular photovoltaic systems can be installed in remote areas to provide off-grid communities with electricity. Unfortunately, crystalline silicon photovoltaics (c-Si PV) are presently not a cost-competitive technology for grid-electricity generation. The most expensive component of a photovoltaic module is the silicon wafer. The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Lab’s primary objective is to develop a kerfless silicon wafer manufacturing technology that will substantially reduce the production costs of high quality multicrystalline silicon wafers. Please see our website: web.mit.edu/silicon

Project Team: The kerfless wafer project, ‘Rapid Ribbon’, was initiated in January 2012 under the direction of Professor Sam Allen. The project is presently managed by Dr. Christoph Sachs and supported by doctoral student, Alison Greenlee. Both Dr. Sachs and Ms. Greenlee have relevant silicon industry experience in addition to their respective silicon ribbon research conducted previously at MIT. There are three full-time students presently working on this project, and the lab has secured a small team of scientific advisors, including Z-Corp founding member Dr. Jim Bredt.

Project Status: We are presently building experimental equipment and testing different materials for the eventual use in a novel experimental furnace for manufacturing high quality silicon wafers. This requires an in-depth understanding of heat transfer, crystal growth mechanics, interfacial behavior, and mechanical systems. Furthermore, we are integrating the power electronics and respective control systems to create the thermal conditions needed to produce a kerfless wafer. For the summer of 2012, we are looking for students who would be interested in working on components of the following project.

Construction and characterization of a novel test furnace: A novel test furnace will have to be constructed and tested to qualify the materials used in the eventual silicon wafer manufacturing process. The materials used in and produced by this furnace will be characterized; the results of which will be used to better tailor and optimize the materials.

Supervised work on this project will involve:
1) Design and alteration of mechanical components for a high temperature (1600 C), semiconductor furnace
2) Machining graphite, ceramic, and metal parts for the furnace
3) Using the novel furnace to characterize materials’:
a. Wetting behavior
b. Diffusion/dissolution characteristics
c. Thermal behavior
d. Nucleation behavior
4) Characterization of furnace materials using (but not limited to):
a. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
b. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
c. Quasi-Steady-State Photoconductance Measurement Tool (QSSPC)
5) Sensor design and implementation of feedback control with LabView:
a. Temperature profile
b. Material Position
6) Working with external vendors to procure specialized materials for the furnace

Preferred Experience: Sophomore or higher students in Course 2, 3, or 6 would be preferred. Machining experience is also preferred, but not required.

Contact: Please contact Alison Greenlee (palmtree@mit.edu) with any questions and/or interests in different aspects of the proposed project. Summer projects can be tailored to the student’s interest.

4/17/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center:Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Maria Yang

Project description: We would like to hire a motivated student to work on a design research project in the Mechanical Engineering Department that involves artificial intelligence. The student will be asked to improve on an existing algorithm for the prediction of degradation in engineering systems, and make comparisons to existing algorithms. It would be a great learning experience for students interested in applied AI, forecasting, optimization, or system design. Research could form the basis of a senior thesis.

Requirements: The student should have some programming experience in any programming language and be comfortable with Matlab. Basic understanding of object-oriented programming would be beneficial. Position is open to qualifying students from any major.

Contact: Please send your CV/resume with a list of relevant courses to Bo Yang Yu (byyu@mit.edu )

4/17/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Robert Langer

Project Description: Our project at Langer lab involves delivering drugs, small molecules and peptides via the buccal tissue in the mouth. This is a challenging project and the bioavailability is the important key to the success of the project. Inorder to be efficient we are desginign a software system that can be a knowledgebase for the past and current data on this topic. We are buidling algorithms to best find the recipes for a better delivery. This project involves developing a platform that utilizes nano encapsulation technology, peremation enhancers and selection of the appropriate drugs based on their chemical structure and their pharamcokenetics. The knowledgebase is a very important part of the platform that can significantly contribute to the success of the project.

For creating this knowledgebase we are looking for 2 computer science major students that can design a web based application with front end in asp.net and C#. The need to understand relational database especially SQL database backend. We are looking for Junior and Seniors and we need them to continue on this through the fall term as well.

Contact: Please submit the resum to Manijeh Goldberg, manijehg@mit.edu (https://owa.exchange.mit.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx) and do not send your request and resume to Prof. Langer.

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics
Faculty Supervisor: Prof Robert Pindyck

Project Description: I am looking for one or two students to help with two related research projects. The first project deals with the economics of climate change, and the policy implications of multiple uncertainties (e.g., the extent of future warming and the size of the economic impact of warming) and irreversibilities (with respect to both environmental damage and the costs imposed by an emissions abatement policy). I am especially concerned with implications of low-probability catastrophic outcomes. (For more information, go to my website and download “Uncertain Outcomes and Climate Change Policy.”)

The second project addresses the economic and financial implications of possible global catastrophic events (such as nuclear terrorism or a mega-virus). In this work, a simple general equilibrium model, calibrated to basic economic data, is used to infer the likelihood of catastrophic events and distributions for their impact. (For more information, go to my website and download “The Economic and Policy Implications of Catastrophes.”)

These projects will involve extensive programming in MATLAB, as well as some statistical analysis. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of MATLAB, as well as a strong background in economics. They should also be able to work independently. The work can begin as early as mid-May, and could continue through the fall semester.

Contact: If you are interested, please send a resume and transcript to: Professor Robert Pindyck, Sloan School of Management, Room E62-522, rpindyck@mit.edu .

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof Klavs Jensen

Project Title: Automated controls of small scale chemical plant for production of pharmaceuticals.

Project Description: We are developing a small scale chemical plant for manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. The automatic control part entails design and implementing the adequate software to control the operation of the entire plant and monitor production. The work will be carried out within a dynamic and multidisciplinary team.

The position can be for credit or competitive pay depending on skills.

Prerequisites: Good knowledge of labview or other suitable environment for controls. Original thinking and motivation.

Contact: Dr. Andrea Adamo (aadamo@mit.edu) – Faculty supervisor Prof Klavs Jensen (kfjensen@mit.edu )

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Susan Perkins

Project Title: Globalization of the Wireless Telecommunications Industry

Project Description: Are you interested in how global markets evolve? How companies compete with each other in multiple markets? How local governments sell off their assets with the hopes to privatize and build larger, more efficient industries? Our research project team invites MIT undergraduate students with interests in international business, foreign direct investment and international institutions. Our research explores the global wireless telecommunications industry in over 210 countries. This terrain captures most of the economic movement on the planet. Our team explores a broad range of research questions related to how markets evolve, how firms compete and how firms respond strategically to the institutional environment.
As the global economy expands and private participation increases in global markets, firms will continually be faced with the challenge of learning how to adapt to idiosyncratic institutional environments that differ from their home country institutional norms. The laws, regulatory environments, cultures and governmental structures have differing implications for firms’ ability to organize, generate profits, sustain a competitive advantage and compete with their industry peers. Our global wireless telecommunications team agenda addresses the imperatives of understanding these factors of globalization.

The primary roles of a MIT UROP research assistant will be to:
· Organize and code data using database applications (i.e., MS Excel, Stata, etc.)
· Conduct descriptive analyses of datasets (e.g., graphs, charts, correlations ; students with econometrics and/or statistics exposure are desired)
· Covert the analyses into tables and figures in preparation for journals submissions and presentations
· Assist with research papers in the fields of strategy, international business, management science, political economy and industry regulation.
· Assist with data synthesis of multilateral regulatory institutions and reporting agencies such as the World Bank.

Contact:susan_p@mit.edu

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Scott Stern

Project description: We are seeking one or more students with an interest in the areas of entrepreneurship and strategy, to assist us with a new research project examining entrepreneurial strategies in China.

China has experienced a start-up boom in recent years, aided by improved access to capital, infrastructure and institutional reformation. These entrepreneurs often face challenges different from those in developed markets, and it is critical to understand the strategic considerations specific to them. As part of our efforts to understand the Chinese entrepreneurial scene, we are constructing a database that maps out in detail the strategic options undertaken by Chinese entrepreneurs. This study is designed to help strategy scholars, practitioners and would be entrepreneurs understand the intricacies of achieving and maintaining competitive advantage in China and other developing markets.

Pre-requisites: The researcher will undertake substantial inductive data collection work, to map out the strategic actions undertaken by a selected group of start-ups in China. Beyond data collection, the project will involve some data analysis in Excel (or Stata). Students should be able to read and understand simplified Chinese script (???), and have an interest in strategy, innovation, management and policy.

Contact: To apply for the position, please send a brief letter of intent describing your background and interest in this project to Kenny Ching (kching@mit.edu).

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Lin-wen Hu

Project Title: Software for data analysis of the neutron spectrum in the reactor core.

Project Description: A UROP project is available at the MIT Nuclear Reactor Lab. The student will help with the data analysis of the neutron energy spectrum measurements. The measurements are made by neutron activation analysis. To extract the spectrum from the data, we need to solve an inverse problem (an integral equation) by the maximum-entropy regularization method. The core software for the data analysis exists, but additional scripts are needed, especially for testing the stability of the solution. The student will assist with implementation of the software and the data analysis using this software. The project is done for pay and might be a basis for of a senior thesis. The project is suitable for students in nuclear engineering, applied math, physics, geophysics, or similar disciplines with affinity to experimental data analysis.

Prerequisites: A working knowledge of a scripting language, such as Matlab (preferred) or Python is important, as well as an interest in data analysis methods. An interest and basic knowledge of neutron, physics are desirable, but could be acquired while working on this project.

Contact: Boris Khaykovich, PhD (bkh@mit.edu)

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Architecture
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Emeritus Otto Piene

Project Description: Two full time summer urops needed to work on an eye robot and a light robot.
(The eye robot is a guide into the world of the visually challenged; the light robot uses vocabulary created by the artist, Otto Piene.) The light robot will need to be improved optically and mechanically. This will necessitate researching bulbs, filaments and l.e.d.s. The movement platform will need to be redesigned and rendered more robust. A robotic arm will be incorporated in the eye robot. The live video feed displaying "bad seeing" will also need to be synchronized and improved. We will develop sentient dialogues between the two robots. This may alter the armature of each. Students with experience in robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering, with programming skills and an interest in design issues confronting people who are blind or visually challenged should apply. Work will take place in the Media Lab Cube and The MIT Museum Studio.

Contact: Prof. Emeritus Otto Piene (piene@mit.edu) or CAVS Fellow at ACT, Elizabeth Goldring (goldring@mit.edu).

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mathematics
Faculty Supervisor: Lydia Bourouiba

Projec Title: Experimental Fluid Dynamics

Project description: Seeking two UROP students to work on a summer research investigation in experimental fluid dynamics with application in disease transmission. The UROP students will take part in two important components of the project: (1) experimental setup and (2) (image) data processing. Depending on the progress, there will be an opportunity to participate in mathematical modelling.

Prerequisites: For this posting, seeking UROPs that can commit to full time (40h/week) research for a minimum of 2 months. Juniors and Seniors are highly encouraged to apply, particularly those with prior productive experimental research experiences. Engineering and/or Physics backgrounds will be assets. Prior fluid dynamics coursework and/or lab work will be an asset. Experience in image processing in Matlab and/or ImageJ will be assets.

Candidates must be excited by hands-on experimental work and have the strong ability to keep an organized record of observations and results. Candidates must be self-motivated and independent, reliable, and with the willingness to work in team.

Accepted candidates will be compensated with competitive funding ($15 per hour) and mentoring.

Contact: Please send a PDF CV/resume including the list of courses taken and previous projects/UROPs experiences and the number of hours of availabilities per week this summer to Dr. Lydia Bourouiba lbouro@mit.edu .

4/9/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Wojciech Matusik

Project Title: Designer in Residence for the OpenFab Group

Project Description: Come join the OpenFab group in CSAIL and help us push the 3D printing pipeline that we are developing. You will work with standard 3D modeling packages to build or modify existing models, design their material properties and 3D print them using the 3D printer our group is building. While waiting for those 3D prints, help us improve our web site (http://graphics.csail.mit.edu/) by building new content and porting older archived content to the new web site.

Prerequisites: Good visual skills and aesthetic sense. Experience building web sites; personal web site experience is sufficient. Drupal experience useful but not required. Familiarity with any 3D modeling package a plus.

Contact: kvidimce@MIT.EDU

4/9/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum/STS
Faculty Advisor: John Durant

Project Title: Holography Workshop Development

Project Description: The Education & Public Programs department at the MIT Museum is searching for a student to design and develop a new workshop on holography (to complement the Museum’s renown collection of holograms). The ideal student will work with us over the summer to research the principles of light and three-dimensional imaging, find connections to Massachusetts middle and high school curriculum standards, and develop hands-on activities to integrate into the workshop. If interested, the UROP could include training and experience in informal science education through opportunities for teaching the finished workshop to visiting student groups.

Prerequisites: Applicants should have knowledge of physics & light, and an interest in teaching and educational outreach. Commitment: 30-40 hours/week through summer 2012.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Brindha Muniappan, brindha@mit.edu

4/4/12
MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

Project Title: Back-End Software Developer for Mobile / Tablet Educational Games

Project Description: Ubiquitous Games are browser-based games played by students outside of school to learn various subjects (e.g., biology). The STEP Lab is developing several educational and fun games for use on tablets (including iPad and Android tablets) and mobile phone browsers (including iPhone and Android). In these games, students log into a server which allows them to play against classmates and enables teachers to track student progress via a “teacher portal”.

We are looking for a motivated UROP to design and develop databases and other related back-end software. There will also be an opportunity for students who are interested to participate in game design.

This is a paid (or credit) UROP for Summer 2012. There is the possibility of continuing the UROP position in the 2012-13 academic year. Students interested in working on this project as part of their UAP work can also contact us as well.

Prerequisites: Applicants should have strong interest in databases and back-end software development. Experience with web applications or developing in PHP, Ruby, server-side Java and Python are a plus.

Contact: Please send a cover letter and resume to tep-jobs@mit.edu and put “UbiqGames UROP” in the subject line.

4/4/12
MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

Project Title: Front-End Software Developer for Mobile / Tablet Educational Games

Project Description: Ubiquitous Games are browser-based games played by students outside of school to learn various subjects (e.g., biology). The STEP Lab is developing several educational and fun games for use on tablets (including iPad and Android tablets) and mobile phone browsers (including iPhone and Android). In these games, students log into a server which allows them to play against classmates and enables teachers to track student progress via a “teacher portal”.

We are looking for a motivated UROP to design and develop front-end game software. There will also be an opportunity for students who are interested to participate in game design.

This is a paid (or credit) UROP for Summer 2012. There is the possibility of continuing the UROP position in the 2012-13 academic year. Go to http://education.mit.edufor more information. Students interested in working on this project as part of their UAP work can also contact us as well.

Prerequisites: Applicants should have experience with interactive web design and front-end UI programming. Javascript experience is a big plus.

Contact: Please send a cover letter and resume to tep-jobs@mit.edu and put “UbiqGames UROP” in the subject line. Go to http://education.mit.edufor more information.

4/4/12
Department of Chemical Engineering
Norvatis-MIT Center of Continuous Manufacturing
Supervisor: Allan S. Myerson

Project Description: A project on continuous manufacturing in pharmaceutical industry. The continuous crystallization project is trying get purfied API solution directly from the complex component stream with a novel crystallization technology. The work include device design and process evaluation, HPLC and crystal 16 measurements. This project will make the present upstream process in pharmaceutical production line more compact, and thus simplify the solid handling and cut down the cost.

Requirements: Basic lab analysis experiences, esp. experience with HPLC is perfered.

Contact: If you are interested in pharmaceutical project, please contact Min Su at minsu@mit.edu.

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Mike Driscoll

Project Title: Fluoride-salt- coolant High-temperature Reactor (FHR)

Project Description: We are developing a new nuclear reactor that potentially can not have severe accidents with offsite consequences. The safety issue associated with nuclear reactors is that after shutdown, the radioactive materials in the reactor core continue to generate heat at a decreasing rate. If this decay heat is not removed, the reactor core temperature increases, the reactor core melts down, and radioactivity can be is released.

The FHR uses a fuel with a failure temperature of ~1600°C (above the melting point of iron) with a coolant with a boiling point above 1300°C. If all cooling systems fail, it is proposed that decay heat be conducted to the ground to keep reactor core temperatures below that at which the fuel can fail. If fuel does not fail, there can’t be large radioactive releases.

The UROP is to investigate alternative designs of this safety system to conduct heat to ground in severe accidents. Some knowledge of chemistry and/or heat transfer is required. He or she will be part of a larger team working on the design of the FHR. The project is lead by MIT but includes our partners at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin.

Contact: Charles Forsberg (cforsber@mit.edu); Tel: 612 324-4010
http://web.mit.edu/nse/people/research/forsberg.html

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: 21W
Faculty Supervisor: Rebecca Blevins Faery

Project Description: We seek a student editorial assistant for Angles 2012, an online magazine that publishes exemplary writing from students in the introductory writing subjects. The editorial assistant position will also research and work on writing grants to support funding for the magazine and research additional educational uses for Angles. We especially encourage We seek a student editorial assistant for summer 2012 for Angles 2012, an annual online people who enjoy We solicit applications from students proficient in copyediting abilities to serve as the student writing and are good at it and enjoy reviewing other students’ work. The editorial assistant position will also be in charge of fact checking in the essays we publish and of soliciting author biographies and photographs to accompany the published essays.

Contact: If you are interested in applying, please contact Rebecca Faery, Director of First Year Writing, by email (faery@mit.edu) for an interview.

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science
Faculty Supervisor: Matthew Wilson

Title: Neuronal networks involved in memory formation.

Description: Looking for students with a strong interest in neuroscience research. The students will be exposed to a variety of neuroscience techniques using rodents as a model (surgical procedures, behavioral training, histological preparation of brain tissue, data analysis). Using these techniques, the students will participate in a project that manipulates the activity of specific neuronal populations to influence and study memory acquisition and consolidation. Depending on progress, there will be an opportunity to further apply the acquired skills on a supervised independent project.

Prerequisites: Looking for UROPs that can commit at least 10h/week and can stay on the project at least for the summer. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply, particularly those considering graduate school in neuroscience. Candidates will be selected based on resume and a personal interview. Experience handling rodents is a plus.

Contact: Please submit resume (including relevant courses and skills) and a brief paragraph commenting on your interest in neuroscience research; let us know when you would be available for an interview. carmenv@mit.edu

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science
Faculty Supervisor:

Project Title: Language of Thought

Project Description: The MIT Quantitative Research in Linguistics Group is investigating cognitive constraints on possible meanings in natural language. How does the way we conceive of the world influence the meanings encoded in the words and utterances of human language? We require dedicated students to help design, run and analyze experiments as well as implement statistical models capable of predicting human behavior. The successful applicant will receive extensive training in truth-conditional semantics, logic, probability theory and psycholinguistic experimentation utilizing artificial word learning and truth-judgment paradigms.

Prerequisites: Requires full-time commitment for June, July and August 2012. All necessary training is provided. Applicants that have one or more of the following qualifications will be given priority: Programming skills (especially HTML and/or Python), classes in Linguistics, Brain and Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Mathematics or Computer Science, or a desire to pursue a career in academia. Contact us to apply.

Contact: graff@mit.edu

3/28/12
Department: Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Tonio Buonassisi

Project Description: This project is for a highly motivated self-learner, interested in applying heat transfer and fluid dynamics to laboratory instrumentation and design. The student will construct a computer model of a customized annealing furnace in Comsol (www.comsol.com), which is a multiphysics finite element analysis software package. Comsol is a powerful modeling program used widely in both industry and academia. The student will learn Comsol using help documentation and support. After the model is constructed, the student will have an opportunity to aid in design of tin sulfide annealing experiments. The goal of these experiments is to improve the structural and electrical properties of a promising earth-abundant thin-film solar cell material, tin sulfide (SnS).

Prerequisites: Student should have taken 2.005 and 2.006 and ideally received an A or B+. Equivalent classes in heat and mass transfer and fluid dynamics will also be considered.

Name of Lab: Photovoltaic Research Laboratory in LMP (Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity). Website: pv.mit.edu

Contact: Professor Buonassisi (buonassisi@mit.edu) and Katy Hartman (khartman@mit.edu ). Please attach a CV.

3/28/12
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty supervisor: Charles Cooney

Project Title: Emerging Technologies in Biomanufacturing in New England

Project Description: MIT’s Industrial Performance Center is working with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to understand how to deepen and advance the biomanufacturing industry in the New England region. This research project will focus in particular on new, emerging technologies and platforms (combination products, cell therapies, biodefense, for example) and involve determining the assets within the region (companies, research institutions, collaborations) that are positioned to help drive the development of these new technologies.

Project Background: Biomanufacturing, specifically of large molecules, is one of the most complex types of manufacturing that exists. The challenge of scaling up living organisms combined with purifying their products to ensure safe administration to human beings creates a high-risk process technically, financially, and from a public health perspective. It is this complexity that rooted the industry in the U.S. two decades ago, spurred continued investment over the past twenty years and today plays to the country’s competitive advantages – a technologically advanced, innovative industry that requires highly skilled workers with commensurately high pay. For all of these reasons, the U.S., and specifically New England, has been a global leader in this industry.

The UROP student will research trends and developments in the biotech and biomanufacturing fields related to emerging technologies and will help develop a matrix that analyses current capabilities within New England in these emerging areas. This research will help inform the work of the Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Roundtable in its effort to determine the assets and gaps within the region for becoming a global leader in new frontiers within the biomanufacturing industry.

The project is initially offered for one semester but could be extended. Compensation will be at an hourly rate (10 hours/week) for the remainder of the spring semester. Work will be primarily focused on using secondary sources on the biotech industry and emerging technologies. The final deliverable will be a report and PowerPoint presentation to the Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Roundtable at their May/June meeting.

A background in biology, chemistry or chemical engineering in preferred, but not a prerequisite.

Contact: To apply for the position please send a brief letter of intent describing your background and interest in this project to Carol Sardo, csardo@mit.edu, 617.253.8921 tel.

3/28/12
Summer 2012
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty supervisor: Cynthia Barnhart and other Transportation@MIT Faculty members

Project Title: Boston Mobility Lab UROP

Project Description: We are looking for individuals or teams of UROPS to creatively utilize a variety of transportation data sets (including MBTA, Lincoln Laboratory, freight transportation, ocean transportation and ports, sustainability and humanitarian efforts) to better understand transportation systems. Based on your skill set, your assignments may include:

·     Data analysis
·     Data visualization
·     App development
·     Data harvesting from MIT and external sources
·     System analysis (including system dynamics, engineering systems and policy)

Throughout the summer, we will provide a series of hands-on workshops on processing, analyzing, and visualizing large amounts of transportation data. At the end of the summer, we would like you to present your findings and will publicize them in the transportation research community.

What we’re looking for: Smart, motivated, curious and responsible students who are interested in applying their skills to transportation challenges. Please note if you have Perl programming skills.

To learn more about Transportation@MIT, please visit: http://transportation.mit.edu/

Contact: If interested, please send your resume to: barnhart@mit.edu

3/28/12
Summer 2012
Department: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty supervisor: Amy Glasmeier

Project Title: Summer 2012 Energy UROP: Research and Educational Materials for New Geography of Energy class

Project Description: I seek two UROPs for the summer of 2012 to develop the underlying information and web applications for a new course, Geography of the Global Economy: Energy, Resources, Conflict and Governance. The course will provide a firm grounding in three primary topics: 1) Factors explaining the processes of globalization; 2) in-situ location of energy and natural resources and the institutional context regulating their development; 3) seeking local wealth creation, identify technology, institutions and practices which support resource development.

This summer’s two UROP students will collect information and develop exercises in support of the class in these three topic areas, described in greater detail below.

1. Forces of globalization are increasingly important in the identification, development and distribution of energy resources. Using a spherical image of the world, the class will utilize a web-enabled globe to understand the geography of energy resources and the political and cultural context in which they reside. Exposure to calculations of resource wealth will serve to situate countries in a global energy and resource context.

2. Institutions of regulation and governance are critical to the identification, extraction and utilization of energy and natural resources. Students will be exposed to the nature of regulatory practices around the globe and will interrogate their underlying goals. Conflict zones will serve as specific context in which to understand the meaning of need for regulatory oversight.

3. Beyond identification of national wealth based in natural resources, we will examine how nations use resources for human development. Examples of appropriately-scaled development will be seen through the lens of: technology, human capital, land use and environmental protection development.

Summer 2012 UROP research agenda/scope of work

UROP students will:
· be exposed to and consider how a wealth creation framework aids in understanding the importance of energy and resources for national and local economic development

· investigate the availability and ease of use of web-based tools for resource location, assessment of contextual conditions, and the resulting technology applications.

· research and describe the level of detail available for the understanding of the global/local regulatory context of energy and resources.

· identify and evaluate the technology systems supporting and in some instances regulating the identification, extraction and utilization of energy and resources.

· identify technology innovations, which either improve the environmental context or localize the benefits of energy and resource development at the local level.

· build a web-based tool filled with data about resource availability, human welfare conditions, and institutional and governance requirements, which will allow students to zoom around the “globe” to investigate energy and resources locations.

· identify and build a tool for the multi-scalar layering of the physical, regulatory and governance context of resource development.

Skills required: organization and time management; programming and web-tool development; spreadsheet analysis; technology assessment.

Students will work up to 40 hours a week for three months, summer 2012.

Contact: Janice O’Brien, 617-253-1933 or jobrien@mit.edu

3/28/12
Department: Department of Architecture
Faculty supervisor: Prof. Leon R. Glicksman

Project Title: Instant Building Energy Efficiency Indicator

Project Description: To date, consumers, sustainable designers and planners have to turn to computationally intense programs to predict the energy impact of new designs and technology on building energy use and CO2 creation. Our group has developed a revolutionary method to perform these calculations over a year’s time in milliseconds with high accuracy. We would like to develop a simple app that consumers could easily access based on our techniques.

Prerequisites: programming skills and basic engineering background

Contact:glicks@mit.edu

3/28/12
Camera Culture Group | MIT Media Lab
Faculty supervisor: Ramesh Raskar

Project Title: Computational Photography (optics and image processing)

Project description:The 'Camera Culture' group has two openings for Computational Photography projects. Computational photography combines plentiful computing, digital sensors, modern optics, actuators, and smart lights to escape the limitations of traditional film cameras and enables novel imaging applications. Unbounded dynamic range, variable focus, resolution, and depth of field, hints about shape, reflectance, and lighting, and new interactive forms of photos that are partly snapshots and partly videos are just some of the new applications found in Computational Photography. We are building new types of cameras and building algorithms for processing the captured images. (More info http://cameraculture.info/)

Prerequisites: Expert in mobile phone programming and C++. Experience in graphics and vision programming is a plus.

Contact: Aydin Arpa (aydin_@MIT.EDU )

3/28/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Health Sciences and Technology, Biomedical Engineering Center
Faculty Supervisor: Elazer Edelman

Project title: Mechanical fatigue and fracture of cardiovascular stents

Project description: Cardiovascular stents are implanted in millions of patients each year. Surprisingly, some 40% of all stents implanted eventually fracture. Our work seeks to understand the causes of stent fracture and the potential implications to disease progression and patient outcome.

There is one opening for an undergraduate interested in assisting a graduate student with experiments. Research will include mechanical testing of stent devices, careful recording of observations and results, data analysis, and methods development.
The ideal candidate will be able to commit to 40 hours per week during the summer and if possible receive training during the spring semester over 3-4 hours during 1-2 days per week beginning in late Apr/early May.

Prerequisites: Attention to detail and ability to keep an organized record of observations and results are essential. Prior work and/or laboratory experience and an interest in engineering are desired.

Candidates must be reliable, accountable, organized, self-motivated, and independent with strong communication skills and a willingness to learn.

In return, accepted candidates will receive one-on-one mentoring, leadership of their own project, and the potential for publication.

Contact: Interested applicants should send a description of their interest and resume to Kay Everett at kfurman@mit.edu, http://web.mit.edu/hst-program/erelab/

3/21/12
UROP Department: Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB)
Faculty Supervisor: Varies (see below)

The Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB) will support 8 full-time UROPs during Summer 2012 for pay.

Project description: Undergraduate research topics may address any aspect of the social brain and its disorders, importantly including autism and related neurocognitive disorders. Topics may include but are not limited to: genes and genetic analyses; other risk factors; epidemiology; developmental time course; animal models; human stem cell models; human brain imaging; behavioral studies; mathematical modeling; biological and cognitive therapies; sensors and aids; and diagnosis and biomarkers.

Applications for summer 2012 Simons UROPs should include a brief proposal with a clear focus on the social brain and autism spectrum disorders, developed with a faculty mentor who will supervise your summer work.

If you have a faculty advisor in mind, please work together to develop a two to three page proposal which describes the context and scope of the project, a tentative work plan, your role in the UROP, and what you hope to get out of the experience, both academically and personally.

If you do not have a faculty advisor in mind, you can find potential advisors via the SCSB UROP Faculty website [http://mit.edu/scsb/uropfac.html] and contact them directly.

To be considered for Simons Center funding, please submit your UROP proposal online no later than 12 noon on Tuesday, April 17. Should your project not be among those funded by the Simons Center, you will be automatically considered for Direct Funding through the UROP office.

Simons Center UROPs are supported by the Simons Center for the Social Brain, the mission of which is to understand the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition and behavior, and to translate this knowledge into better diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Simons Center seeks proposals from undergraduates interested in studying ASDs from a diversity of perspectives including life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and engineering.

Contact: Eleana Ricci [ericci@mit.edu ], 617-253-9340

3/19/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Patrikalakis

3/19/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Shuhei Ono

Project Title: Assessing atmospheric sources and isotopomer ratios of nitrous oxide in Cambridge, MA.

MIT Stable Isotope Geobiology Laboratory is seeking for a highly organized, motivated and responsible individual to participate in an air monitoring campaign to better understand the source of nitrous oxide in Urban environments.

Project description: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the third most important long-lived greenhouse gas, and also contributes to the catalytic decomposition of stratospheric ozone. We are developing a state-of-the-art instrument based on mid-infrared quantum cascade laser spectroscopy for continuous monitoring of isotopomer and isotopologue abundances of N2O (15N14N16O, 14N15N16O, 14N14N18O, 14N14N16O) in the background atmosphere in order to better partition various emission sources. We plan to operate the instrument during the summer 2012 by analyzing air sampled at the roof of the Green Building (building 54). Other air monitoring instruments (e.g., CO2, CO, NOx, and O3) will be operated as well to complement the N2O data.

Skill requirements and responsibilities: The UROP student will work closely with the project's team of professors, lab technician, doctoral students for 30 to 40 hours a week to assist daily operation and maintenance of the instruments, as well as data processing and archiving. This project will run over the summer with potential extension to Fall 2012. The ideal UROP will have a strong background in chemistry and spectroscopy, and interest in instrumentation. Experience in LabView and MATLAB is a plus. We are looking for a highly organized, motivated, and responsible individual to take part of this team project.

Contact: Professor Shuhei Ono (sono@mit.edu)

3/19/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: EECS\RLE
Faculty Supervisor: Joel Voldman

Project Title: Development of Cell Sensors for Stress Monitoring in Microenvironments using Automated Microfluidics Platform

Project Description: We are looking for a summer UROP student to help in one of two possible microfluidic projects aimed to create cell-based sensors for fluidic shear stress. In the first project we will use gene expression of cells stressed within a microfluidic environment to identify relevant stress pathways and then engineer cell sensors to report cell health via fluorescence. These cell sensors possess high utility not only to the microtechnology community for evaluating experimental design, but also to the general biological community for better understanding of cell physiology. The student will learn about and help with the fabrication of microfluidic devices as well as various molecular biology, cell culture and cloning techniques. This is a great project for students interested in working at the intersection of wet-lab biology and engineering. For the second project, we are looking for assistance in creating a software and hardware interface for establishing control of both a microfluidic device and the microscope observing it. Once established, the student will test the automation system by fabricating a controllable microfluidic device and implementing unique functionalities such a multiplexer or on-chip peristaltic pump for mixing or metering of fluids. These automated microfluidic devices are used in our laboratory for controlling environments around cells. The student will learn about and help with Matlab graphical user interface software, instrumentation control, image acquisition, as well as fabrication and testing of microfluidic devices.

Prerequisites: We will consider all candidates, but having some molecular/cellular wet lab techniques is desirable. For the first project, experience with cell cultures is a bonus. For the second project, experience with Matlab is required. 6.01 or 6.002 are desirable, or at least some familiarity with circuits & electronics. Additionally, experience with data acquisition or control systems is a plus. Both projects are hands-on experimental projects, so some evidence that you are good with your hands and can debug experiments is desirable.

Contact: Please send a pdf CV\resume to Joel Voldman (voldman@mit.edu), along with a paragraph in the email describing your interest in a project of your choice from above.

3/19/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: EECS\RLE
Faculty Supervisor: Joel Voldman

Project Title: Development of portable microfluidic cell separation device

Project Description: We are looking for a summer UROP student to create a portable version of a microfluidic cell separation device that we have developed in the lab. The device uses electric fields to separate cells according to their electrical properties and can be used for cancer detection, stem cell separation, and therapeutic cell separation. The student will create a portable electrical drive circuit for the device, a portable fluid flow control and integrate optics for readout of the separation. The goal is to be able to use the device in any setting with only a laptop. There is potential for the project to extend beyond the summer.

Prerequisites: Some familiarity with circuits is required (e.g., 6.01, 6.002 and/or 6.101/111/115). This is a hands-on experimental project, so some evidence that you are good with your hands and can debug experiments is a plus.

Contact: Please send a pdf CV\resume to Joel Voldman (voldman@mit.edu), along with a paragraph in the email describing your interest in the project.

3/19/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Biomechatronics Group, Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Hugh Herr

Project title: Neural Interface for Peripheral Nerves

Project description: The Biomechatronics Department at the MIT Media Lab is developing advanced powered prosthetic limbs for amputees. One aspect of this effort seeks to develop techniques which will allow amputees to control their prosthetic limbs using neural information from their functional peripheral nerves. The first stage of the project involves developing an implantable device to interface with the nerves and then evaluating the device functionality in in-vivo studies. Student participation under the UROP program could involve various aspects of the investigation including: assistance with computer programming; device fabrication and implantation; neural recording; small animal behavioral conditioning; and data analysis.

Prerequisites: This project would best fit engineering students (mechanical, electrical, computer science or bio-medical) or HST students. Computer skills should include programming in C. Experience with MatLab, LabView, SolidWorks or other CAD software is also highly desirable. Participation in this project will teach students about real time control systems, techniques for recording and processing neural activity, issues regarding the biocompatibility of implantable medical devices, and issues involving neural regeneration and rehabilitation medicine.

Time commitment: Time commitment is negotiable, however at least 9 hours or more of work a week is desired.

Contact: Interested candidates should send a brief statement of research interests and a summary of relevant course work and prior experience to Ronald Riso, PhD, (RRiso@media.mit.edu ).

3/14/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Renée Richardson Gosline

Project Title: Social Networks Brand Consideration and Social Media Apps

Professor Renée Richardson Gosline is seeking a UROP candidate with experience in statistics (including multiple regression, ANOVA), and social network analysis (UCINET or equivalent graphing program), to join a research project on the impact of social embeddedness on consumer behavior.

Project description: We have conducted a field experiment where we developed a social network community and measured its effect on brand consideration and preference. This network included actor nodes who became clustered. We would like to better understand how one's egocentric network and related measures (e.g., centrality, density) affected opinions of the focal brands.

Skill requirements and responsibilities: The suitable candidate will work closely with the project's team of professors and doctoral students for about 10 hours a week to assist in the compiling and analysis of a social network data set, as well as the creation of graphical visualizations and statistical analysis. This project will run over the entirety of the Spring 2012 Semester. The ideal UROP would have a strong background in social network analysis and statistics. We are looking for a highly organized, motivated individual.

Contact: Professor Renée Richardson Gosline (rgosline@mit.edu )

3/14/12
Department: Economics
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Piore

Project Title: Managing Community: The Organization and Management of Federal Research Funding Agencies

Project Description: We are seeking one or more students with an interest in the areas of innovation, science policy, and management of technology to assist us with a new research project examining the impact of funding agency practices on science and innovation.

The U.S. Federal Government allocates nearly $150 billion annually to research and development through over 50 different agencies - each with a somewhat different mission, distinctive characteristics and multiple mechanisms for distributing funds. Given such large investments, it is critical to understand the link between the organization, policies and management of these funding agencies and their effects in terms of research outcomes, the research process, and scientific communities. As part of this project, we are constructing a database that links MIT research funding with publication and patent outcomes. The study is designed to help policy makers and administrators evaluate the design of federal research programs, understand how scientists respond to these design choices, and better identify the levers for effectively managing research and development.

The undergraduate researcher will work in a team to develop and manage a dataset of scientific research projects at MIT. This database has already been started and further data collection is necessary. Beyond data collection, the project will involve some data analysis in Excel (or Stata). Students should have good time management skills, be inquisitive, and have an interest in science, innovation, management and policy.

The UROP can be done on a volunteer basis, taken for course credit or paid hourly (~10 hours/week) over the Spring Semester, with an option to continue into the summer. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply, though eager students of all years are welcome.

Contact: To apply for the position, please send a brief letter of intent describing your background and interest in this project to Phech Colatat (pcolatat@mit.edu).

3/14/12
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Bradley Olsen

Project Description: One of the largest challenges in terms of achieving a sustainable energy future is to develop easy methods for converting abundant, renewable solar and wind energy into chemical fuels that are suitable for use in transportation, including automobiles and jet aircraft. While electrical power is easily generated from solar or wind sources, the storage of electricity in chemical bonds to make a fuel continues to be a daunting challenge. Biology has solved this problem, not only mastering photosynthesis but also ultimately producing all of our current fossil fuels from sunlight. The goal of our research is to develop synthetic materials that borrow natural biological components to efficiently catalyze the conversion of electrical power into chemical fuels.

Our approach to this challenge is to develop polymer templates that encapsulate and stabilize enzymes while allowing rapid electrical transport and diffusion to facilitate energy conversion. The UROP student will lead efforts to control the nanostructures formed by block copolymer/enzyme complexes, and will explore how changes in nanostructure affect the performance of the device. The UROP student will have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of techniques including polymer self-assembly and patterning, controlled polymerization, and various imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy. Through this research, the UROP will gain exposure to the exciting scientific interface between nanotechnology, biotechnology, energy, and materials research.

Prerequisites: Majors in course 3, 5, 10, and 20 be well-prepared for this research project. Strong interest and commitment to materials research a plus.

Contact: Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae along with a very brief description of your research interest and experience to both Yan Xia (yan_xia@mit.edu) and Prof. Bradley Olsen (bdolsen@mit.edu ).

3/13/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics Research Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi

Project Description: We are looking for 1 undergraduate student interested to help with the development of an autonomous robotic system for leak detection in water-filled pipes. The project includes design, instrumentation and sensing, control systems and both analytical and hands-on work.
One project focuses on the development of a mobile platform, optimized for locomotion in small diameter pipes (i.e. 4'' ID pipes).

Prerequisites: (1) Solidworks or any other CAD software (2) Original thinking, motivation. (3) Course 2, 6 or 16 students; (4) Some basic knowledge in fluid mechanics is a plus.

Contact: Any responses to this advertisement should be sent to Dimitris Chatzigeorgiou (dchatzis@mit.edu).

3/13/12
UROP Department: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professors Robert Langer

Project Summary: This proposed study aims to elucidate the fundamental scientific and engineering principles required to create a nano-engineered chewing gum or dissolvable tablet/films that can be used for oral delivery of currently injectable drugs such as insulin. This study includes steps to nanofabricate biological particles that are biomechanically and chemically capable of encapsulating insulin crystals, permeation enhancers, and taste masking compounds to improve patient experience. Through controlled release of compounds and creating the best recipes for safe and effective permeation enhancers, new methods of delivering oral drugs will be developed that will allow large molecules to permeate into the blood stream.

The goal of this study is to create patient-friendly medicated chewing gums to substantially improve patient compliance and reduce the devastation and health care costs of medical complications. In this project, our primary focus is the delivery of insulin, which is one therapeutic avenue in Type II diabetes, and where we believe this chewing gum will have immediate and lasting positive impacts given the current therapeutic landscape. Our vision is to create an effective, safe and inexpensive insulin chewing gum that can easily be shipped anywhere in the world, is simple to use, easy to understand dosing, convenient to carry, does not require refrigeration and has a long shelf life. We want to help millions of diabetic patients around the globe that are needle adverse or have limited access to clinics, needles and refrigeration. More broadly, we anticipate that this project will also allow us to develop design principles that govern buccal drug delivery for other medications such as vaccines, cancer drugs, contraceptives and hormone therapies. The research focuses on studying the following mechanical and biochemical properties: 1.The efficacy of release triggers such as mechanical properties of the chewing force or the biochemical properties of the saliva and how to optimally release the compounds within the nano particles. 2. The interdisciplinary aspects of mechanical capacity and biological attributes of the nanoparticles to contain the required amount of drugs. 3. Effect of environmental variables such as humidity, light and temperature on the mechanical and biochemical integrity of the nano particles, the drugs and base materials used in the chewing gum. 4. The mechanical and biological impact of the permeation enhancers on the oral cells as well as the fat and muscle cells. 5. The time needed to effectively release the specified amount of the drug and meet the medical bioavailability requirements

Expectation: You will be working on some of the latest projects in drug delivery utilizing nano encapsulation, permeation enhancers and drug shelf life. You will be learning how to build nano/micro particles, encapsulation techniques and their pros and cons. You will study drug’s PK/PD and toxicity. You will need to read scientific papers that involve understanding the buccal tissue and inner cellular and paracellular drug delivery. You are expected to work closely with Dr. Junli Liu and take direction from him and Manijeh Goldberg who is the Project leader. You are expected to create reports and explain clearly the results of your experiments. This will teach you how to communicate in the scientific way. Looking for UROPs that can commit to stay on the project at least for the summer and the following fall term, preferably sophomores and higher.

Contact: manijehg@mit.edu

3/13/12
UROP Department: Koch Institute
Faculty Supervisor: Professors Robert Langer and Daniel Anderson

Project Description: We are developing novel small molecules, peptides and polymers to make nanoparticles for biomedical applications especially in cancer and diabetes. We are specifically focused in polymeric drug delivery system and nanoparticles for controlled release. The project involves organic synthesis, bioconjugation, cell culture, polymer characterization and other related techniques.

Prerequisites: A strong background in general chemistry, general biology and organic chemistry. Experience in organic synthesis is preferred but not required.

Contact: Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae along with a brief description of your research interest and experience to Dr. Danny Chou (hcchou@mit.edu )

3/8/12
Department: RLE
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martha Gray

Project Description: We are currently seeking 2-3 motivated undergraduate students to work together in a team to analyze the mechanics of and further develop a centrifuge-like system to deposit and pattern cells onto tissue culture surfaces. The ultimate goal of this project is to facilitate the high-throughput detection, identification, and isolation of cells in complex multi-cellular biological fluids.

Who: Energetic and creative students capable of carrying out research projects without intensive supervision (although daily mentoring will be available) are encouraged to apply.

Where: Students will work under the guidance of two M+Visión Post-doctoral Fellows in the Research Laboratory of Electronics in the Laboratory of Professor Martha Gray (E25-413).

Prerequisites: As this project is interdisciplinary in nature, students from a variety of backgrounds such as (but not limited to) mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, and bioengineering may find this project intriguing. Skills useful towards this project include basic computer modeling, image analysis, mechanical design/machining, biological tissue culture/cell-staining technique, chemical synthesis, fluid mechanics, and electronics.

Contact: Shivang Dave, PhD (RLE)
srdave@mit.edu

3/8/12
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Bradley Olsen

Project Description: We are developing a polymer templating protein thin film technology for a variety of applications with large societal impacts including detoxication of harmful chemical warfares as well as controlled release of theraputic proteins. In another area, we design glycoprotein materials to mimic nucleus membrane for selective transport of biomolecules and to mimic extracellular matrices for biomedical applications.

This UROP project involves developments of protein conjugations and polymer-protein nanopatterns. The UROP student will have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of techniques including controlled polymerization, bioconjugation chemistry, polymer self-assembly and patterning, and recombinant protein expression.

Prerequisites: Familiar with organic synthesis techniques; Strong interest and commitment to exciting, cutting-edge materials research

Contact: Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae along with a very brief description of your research interest and experience to Yan Xia (yan_xia@mit.edu)

3/2/12
Lab: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Supervisor: Tom Newton

Project title: Reactor communications upgrade

Project description:At the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, we are in the process of upgrading communications to involve wireless communications between a control room computer and reactor supervisor portable devices such as smart phones or iPads. Initially, the communications will be of scheduling and operations notes, but will be expanded to include reactor instrumentation output, SAP interface, and experiment status updates.
This paid project will require at least 10 hours/week.

Prerequisites: Must have working knowledge and experience with JAVA and QRcode programming of mobile devices and be motivated for successful implementation of solutions.

Contact: For more information, contact Tom Newton at tnewton@mit.edu

Current Research

Project Openings

Available UROPs

5/22/12 Department/Lab/Center: STS Faculty supervisor: Dr. John Durant

5/22/12 Civil and Enviromental Engineering Professor Martin Polz

5/22/12 Media Lab Professor Alex (Sandy) Pentland

5/22/12 Sloan School Of Management Professor Itai Ashlagi

5/22/12 Summer 2012 Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/22/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Material Science and Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Sheila Kennedy and Jeff Grossman

5/22/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Plasma Science & Fusion Center (PSFC) Faculty Supervisor: R. Petrasso

5/18/12 Department: Health Sciences and Technology Faculty Advisor: Prof. Peng Yin

5/18/12 Summer 2012 Department: Chemical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Allan Myerson

5/18/12 Department: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Kent Larson

5/18/12 Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Polz

5/16/12 Department: EECS Professor Timothy Lu

5/16/12 Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/16/12 Summer 2012 Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/16/2012 UROP Department: Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB) Faculty Supervisor: Varies (see below)

5/16/12 Department: MIT Media Lab / Fluid Interfaces Group Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

5/16/12 Summer 2012 Department: HST Faculty Supervisor: Professor George Church

5/16/12 Department/Lab/Center: Edgerton Center D-Lab Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rich Fletcher

5/10/12 Department: Mechanical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Professor Wai Cheng

5/10/12 Summer 2012 Department: HST Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Yarmush

5/10/12 Summer 2012 Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Sanjay E. Sarma

5/10/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan Faculty Supervisor: Professors James Orlin and Giacomo Nannicini (Sloan and SUTD)

5/10/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab, Fluid Interfaces Group Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Pattie Maes

5/10/12 Summer 2012 Sloan School of Management Faculty Supervisor: Thomas Malone

5/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

5/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Leah Buechley

5/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School/ORC Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Steve Graves

5/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro Faculty Supervisor: Alvar Saenz Otero

5/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics Faculty Supervisor: Professor Townsend

5/4/12 UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Ki Goosens

5/4/12 UROP Department: Sloan School Faculty Supervisor: Drazen Prelec

5/4/12 Multiple Openings UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Alfredo Alexander-Katz

5/1/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

5/1/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

5/1/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

4/27/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paula Hammond

4/27/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Broad Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paul Blainey

4/27/12 Multiple Openings UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Olivier de Weck

4/25/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Sciences/Early Childhood Cognition Lab Faculty Supervisor: Laura Schulz

4/25/12 Department: Sloan School of Management Faculty Supervisor: Professor Antoinette Schoar

4/25/12 Summer 2012 Department: Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Professor Donald R. Sadoway

4/25/12 Summer 2012 Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Charles M. Oman

4/25/12 Summer 2012 Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics Research Laboratory Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi

4/25/12 Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Patrikalakis

4/25/12 Department/Lab/Center: HST Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Sangeeta Bhatia

4/25/12 Department/Lab/Center: HST Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rakesh Jain

4/18/12 School: Sloan School of Management Project Supervisor: Aleksandra Kacperczyk

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Supervisor: Ceasar McDowell

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Supervisor: Carlo Ratti

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Charles Cooney

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management Faculty Supervisor: Fiona Murray

4/18/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum Faculty Supervisor: John Durant

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences – Geobiology Group Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Roger Summons

4/18/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences Faculty Supervisor: Emery Brown

4/18/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Sam Allen

4/17/12 Summer 2012 Department/Lab/Center:Mechanical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Maria Yang

4/17/12 Department/Lab/Center: HST Faculty Supervisor: Professor Robert Langer

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics Faculty Supervisor: Prof Robert Pindyck

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Prof Klavs Jensen

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management Faculty Supervisor: Susan Perkins

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management Faculty Supervisor: Scott Stern

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Lin-wen Hu

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Architecture Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Emeritus Otto Piene

4/13/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mathematics Faculty Supervisor: Lydia Bourouiba

4/9/12 Summer 2012 UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab Faculty Supervisor: Wojciech Matusik

4/9/12 Summer 2012 Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum/STS Faculty Advisor: John Durant

4/4/12 MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

4/4/12 MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

4/4/12 Department of Chemical Engineering Norvatis-MIT Center of Continuous Manufacturing Supervisor: Allan S. Myerson

4/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Science and Engineering Faculty Supervisor: Mike Driscoll

4/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: 21W Faculty Supervisor: Rebecca Blevins Faery

4/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science Faculty Supervisor: Matthew Wilson

4/4/12 UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science Faculty Supervisor:

3/28/12 Department: Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity Faculty Supervisor: Professor Tonio Buonassisi

3/28/12 Department: Chemical Engineering Faculty supervisor: Charles Cooney

3/28/12 Summer 2012 Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty supervisor: Cynthia Barnhart and other Transportation@MIT Faculty members

3/28/12 Summer 2012 Department: Urban Studies and Planning Faculty supervisor: Amy Glasmeier

5/22/12
Department/Lab/Center: STS
Faculty supervisor: Dr. John Durant

5/22/12
Civil and Enviromental Engineering
Professor Martin Polz

5/22/12
Media Lab
Professor Alex (Sandy) Pentland

5/22/12
Sloan School Of Management
Professor Itai Ashlagi

5/22/12
Summer 2012
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/22/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Material Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Sheila Kennedy and Jeff Grossman

5/22/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Plasma Science & Fusion Center (PSFC)
Faculty Supervisor: R. Petrasso

5/18/12
Department: Health Sciences and Technology
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Peng Yin

5/18/12
Summer 2012
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Allan Myerson

5/18/12
Department: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Kent Larson

5/18/12
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Polz

5/16/12
Department: EECS
Professor Timothy Lu

5/16/12
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/16/12
Summer 2012
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Professor Olivier L. de Weck

5/16/2012
UROP Department: Simons Center for the Social Brain (SCSB)
Faculty Supervisor: Varies (see below)

5/16/12
Department: MIT Media Lab / Fluid Interfaces Group
Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

5/16/12
Summer 2012
Department: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor George Church

5/16/12
Department/Lab/Center: Edgerton Center D-Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rich Fletcher

5/10/12
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Wai Cheng

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Department: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Martin Yarmush

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Professor Sanjay E. Sarma

5/10/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan
Faculty Supervisor: Professors James Orlin and Giacomo Nannicini (Sloan and SUTD)

5/10/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab, Fluid Interfaces Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Pattie Maes

5/10/12
Summer 2012
Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Thomas Malone

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Pattie Maes

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Leah Buechley

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School/ORC
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Steve Graves

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Alvar Saenz Otero

5/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Townsend

5/4/12
UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Ki Goosens

5/4/12
UROP Department: Sloan School
Faculty Supervisor: Drazen Prelec

5/4/12
Multiple Openings
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Alfredo Alexander-Katz

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

5/1/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Media Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Hiroshi Ishii

4/27/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paula Hammond

4/27/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Broad
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Paul Blainey

4/27/12
Multiple Openings
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Olivier de Weck

4/25/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Sciences/Early Childhood Cognition Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Laura Schulz

4/25/12
Department: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Antoinette Schoar

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Donald R. Sadoway

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: Aero/Astro
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Charles M. Oman

4/25/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics Research Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Patrikalakis

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Sangeeta Bhatia

4/25/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rakesh Jain

4/18/12
School: Sloan School of Management
Project Supervisor: Aleksandra Kacperczyk

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty Supervisor: Ceasar McDowell

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty Supervisor: Carlo Ratti

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Charles Cooney

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Fiona Murray

4/18/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum
Faculty Supervisor: John Durant

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences – Geobiology Group
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Roger Summons

4/18/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Faculty Supervisor: Emery Brown

4/18/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Sam Allen

4/17/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center:Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Maria Yang

4/17/12
Department/Lab/Center: HST
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Robert Langer

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Economics
Faculty Supervisor: Prof Robert Pindyck

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Prof Klavs Jensen

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Susan Perkins

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Sloan School of Management
Faculty Supervisor: Scott Stern

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Lin-wen Hu

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Architecture
Faculty Supervisor: Prof. Emeritus Otto Piene

4/13/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Mathematics
Faculty Supervisor: Lydia Bourouiba

4/9/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab
Faculty Supervisor: Wojciech Matusik

4/9/12
Summer 2012
Department/Lab/Center: MIT Museum/STS
Faculty Advisor: John Durant

4/4/12
MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

4/4/12
MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Eric Klopfer

4/4/12
Department of Chemical Engineering
Norvatis-MIT Center of Continuous Manufacturing
Supervisor: Allan S. Myerson

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Nuclear Science and Engineering
Faculty Supervisor: Mike Driscoll

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: 21W
Faculty Supervisor: Rebecca Blevins Faery

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science
Faculty Supervisor: Matthew Wilson

4/4/12
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Brain and Cognitive Science
Faculty Supervisor:

3/28/12
Department: Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
Faculty Supervisor: Professor Tonio Buonassisi

3/28/12
Department: Chemical Engineering
Faculty supervisor: Charles Cooney

3/28/12
Summer 2012
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty supervisor: Cynthia Barnhart and other Transportation@MIT Faculty members

3/28/12
Summer 2012
Department: Urban Studies and Planning
Faculty supervisor: Amy Glasmeier

3/28/12
Department: Department of Architecture
Faculty supervisor: Prof. Leon R. Glicksman

3/28/12
Camera Culture Group | MIT Media Lab
Faculty supervisor: Ramesh Raskar

3/28/12
Summer 2012
UROP Department/Lab/Center: Health Sciences and Technology, Biomedical Engineering Center
Faculty Supervisor: Elazer Edelman