Graduate Resident Advisors
GRAs (previously known as GRTs) have been a long standing tradition at MIT. These fine people are a crucial part of an MIT education. Not only can they provide you with academic guidance and support, they are here for you for whatever problem you are facing. They also provide amazing study breaks, anything from Chinese food to smoothies is fair game!
Ground Floor
Joseph Elsherbini
Room: 0073
Email: josephe (at) mit.edu
I was born in Alabama, grew up in Pennsylvania, went to High school in DC and attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta for my undergraduate degree. Now I'm in the Microbiology PhD program at MIT studying the ecology of the bacteria in the human gut (in other words, I'm getting a PhD in poop). I did Americorps for two years in the middle of my undergraduate degree, and before college I became an EMT and a Nursing Assistant. I love working in restaurants and still work at the Thirsty Ear Pub on MIT campus. I love games like chess, Starcraft, and modern board games where I have the opportunity to be competitive, but in real life I just want to get along and cook for people. I'd be happy to help with Life Sciences, Probability, Statistics, and introductory Python.
Cassandra Schaening
Room: 0073
Email: axolotl (at) mit.edu
I was born and raised in beautiful Puerto Rico. While I was an undergrad at the University of Puerto Rico, I bounced around between majors until a summer research experience showed me how I could combine my passions for programming and molecular biology, and eventually I graduated as a Computer Science major. Now, I am a PhD candidate in the Computational and Systems Biology program at MIT, advised by professors Wendy Gilbert and Gene Wei Li. With them, I am studying the ways in which bacteria modify and manipulate their mRNA as a way to regulate the expression of their genes. I love learning new skills, both in and out of lab, and have dabbled in dance, karate, running, and other things. Recently, the circus has become one of my favorite places to challenge myself; on any given weekend, you’ll probably find me juggling (dropping things, mostly) or swinging on a trapeze. I also love a relaxed evening spent playing board games or cooking with friends, or reading a good book.
First Floor
Alyssa Rudelis
Room: 1081
Email: rudelis (at) mit.edu
I was born in Arkansas, grew up in Texas, and went to high school in Oklahoma before attending Stanford University to study physics (with a minor in Chinese!) in 2013. After graduation from Stanford in 2017, I worked for a year as a systems/mechanical engineer in the silicon manufacturing equipment industry. My stint in industry showed me I was excited to get back to school and study fundamental science. After a two-week-long road trip from California to Massachusetts in the summer of 2018, I started my PhD in physics at MIT. I now work in Professor Vladan Vuletić's Rubidium Lab, where we use rubidium atoms and finely controlled optical (laser) and electronic systems to study quantum mechanics and quantum computing. Apart from physics, I love rock climbing, running, baking, crafts, gardening, antique-ing, and writing for both the MIT graduate admissions blog and my personal blog. I can't wait to build a community with you at Maseeh!
Second Floor
Mary Elizabeth Wagner
Room: 2019
Email: mbwagner (at) mit.edu
I came to MIT in 2012 as an undergrad after living my whole life just outside Chicago (so you’ll never hear me complain about the weather). I took my degree in Course 3 and decided to stay on in the department as a grad student. My research focuses on recovering precious metals (like gold and platinum) from recycled electronics at ultra-high temperatures, but I also work on a side project studying how to make Wootz, a type of “legendary” sword made hundreds of years ago in the Middle East. I’m also taking a second graduate degree in gemology through the Gemological Institute of America, which is basically a fancy way of saying if you give me a gemstone, I’m learning how to tell you what it is, how it was made, and what it’s worth.
When I’m not playing around with shiny or sparkly things, I like to write fiction, practice new recipes, and read police detective novels. My favorite color is red, and if I could meet anyone from the past, it would be Blackbeard the Pirate. I’m a huge fan of Arrested Development, classic-era Doctor Who, and Chopped. If you ever want any random animal facts, I worked at a zoo throughout high school, so I’m the person to go to. I also strongly believe there are few things in this world better than fancy cheese or dark chocolate. I’m excited to be part of the Maseeh House Team and can’t wait to meet everyone!
Gianluca Roscioli Wagner
Room: 2019
Email: roscioli (at) mit.edu
I’m Gianluca, a PhD student in Course 3, Materials Science and Engineering. I came to MIT after spending most of my life in Italy. I’m originally from Rome, but I did my undergraduate and my master in Milan, in Materials Science and Nanotechnology, obtaining a double degree at Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. During most of my years in Milan, I served as a student representative on academics and dorm life. After 23 years, I came to Boston and experienced my first North American winter. I prefer Italian summers!
At MIT, my thesis project focuses on abrasive wear, more specifically on how a soft material can wear down a harder one. I love my research because it allows me to modify and build small machines to be used inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), so that I can see in real time what is happening at the nanoscale during an experiment! One of the experiments I loved the most consisted in replicating a shaving experiment inside the SEM, thus finding out how razor blades get dull when cutting hair.
Outside of my thesis, I enjoy glassblowing and sailing. I am a big soccer fan - AS Roma is my team. I also raise tropical fish called parrot cichlids, which I call the quokkas of the fish world because they’re always smiling!
Eeshan Bhatt
Room: 2081
Email: eesh (at) mit.edu
I grew up in Piscataway, NJ amongst a rather large extended family in the mid-Atlantic region. I went to college at Duke University in Durham, NC and studied mechanical engineering, dabbled in marine science and education, played club volleyball, and studied abroad at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, NZ. On multiple occasions, I found myself in full body paint. Here at MIT, I'm a Course 2 in the Laboratory for Autonomous Marine Sensing (LAMSS) in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. My focus is applying underwater autonomous vehicles for acoustic environmental sensing; I'm motivated by the lack of high-resolution data in making informed scientific decisions and my fascination with the greater outdoors. Many of my friends here at MIT would describe me as a kid at heart. I love cartoons, am easily entertained by ball sports, and often fall asleep in strange positions. I have a separate stomach for ice cream and set up background soundtracks for the normalcy in my life. I will gladly admit when I don't know something and am looking forward to learning from all of you.
Shannon McClintock
Room: 2081
Email: mcclint (at) mit.edu
Hi! I grew up in Versailles, Kentucky and completed my BS in Biology at Duke University. I then completed my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Arcadia University. Now, I work for Easter Seals MA as a Physical Therapist with a focus on pediatrics while also serving as a GRA Partner here at Maseeh. I love eating ice cream at Emack & Bolios, making bread, and weightlifting.
Third Floor
Annika Gomez
Room: 3019
Email: gomezal (at) mit.edu
Hi Maseeh Residents! I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, then went to Cornell University to study Biology. I came to MIT to join the Microbiology PhD program in 2018. I work in Martin Polz’s lab in CEE studying the evolution and ecology of viruses infecting marine eukaryotes. When I’m not in lab, I spend my time baking, knitting, playing board games and figure skating. I’m also super passionate about science outreach – I volunteer at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and I’m involved in Science Olympiad, a STEM competition for high school and middle school students.
Jibril Kedir
Room: 3081
Email: jibrilk (at) mit.edu
I was born in Ethiopia, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland when I was 8 years old. I graduated from Columbia University in 2015 with a degree in Biophysics. Afterwards, I moved to Boston to start my MD/PhD training at Harvard Medical School and MIT. After completing two years of my medical training, I am currently in my first year of graduate school in the MIT Biology Program. I work in the David Sabatini Lab at the Whitehead Institute where we study the mTOR pathway, a major regulator of cellular growth in many species. Outside of lab work, I enjoy reading, cooking, watching shows on Netflix, and playing squash. I am very excited to join the Maseeh team and look forward to meeting everyone!
Fourth Floor
Cadence Payne
Room: 4019
Email: cbpayne (at) mit.edu
I grew up in a tiny town (seriously, it only has one stoplight) called Eminence, Kentucky and studied Space Science at Morehead State University prior to coming to graduate school. I am in the AeroAstro department here at MIT where I'm specializing in Space Systems Engineering. My research involves building bread-loaf sized spacecraft that study the Earth and surrounding universe to answer questions about how these complex systems behave. Outside of mildly obsessing over space, I enjoy playing volleyball, hiking, singing, reading and holding social events in different organizations on campus. I am truly looking forward to becoming part of the Maseeh community!
Fatima Hussain
Room: 4081
Email: fatimah (at) mit.edu
Originally from Frederick, MD, I first arrived at MIT in 2007 as an undergrad and studied environmental engineering and women’s and gender studies. My interests in water sustainability and public health led me to work on a development project in Ecuador, study public health policy in India, and research water reuse in Israel. After MIT, I moved out west to study water reuse for agricultural applications. I received my Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford, and then, through a series of serendipitous events, ended up back at MIT. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Environmental Microbiology, focusing on the roles of viruses in shaping microbial communities in the ocean. In addition to my scientific endeavors, I also enjoy cooking, discussing current events, hiking, and arts and crafts.
Fifth Floor
Eric Hinterman
Room: 5019
Email: erichint (at) mit.edu
Want to send humans to Mars? I do. That’s why I’m working on building MOXIE with NASA – an oxygen-producing machine that we are sending to Mars in July, 2020. It is going to prove that we can make oxygen from the atmosphere on Mars to let our astronauts breathe, and more importantly, provide most of the rocket fuel needed to get the astronauts home. Besides working on human space travel, I like playing most sports, being outside, and am always down for a beach day. I am also an EDM-producing DJ and play piano and saxophone.
I grew up in the farmlands of Midland, Michigan and had a great childhood thanks to my parents, my older sister Corina, and my younger brother Kevin. I went to Notre Dame for chemical engineering, and it was a really terrific experience. I played saxophone in the marching band and got to travel all over the country to play at football games. I then worked in a paint plant as an engineer for a few years before coming to MIT to study astronautics. Stop by and chat – my door is always open.
Maria Smith
Room: 5019
Email: mariasmi (at) mit.edu
Originally from Ohio, Maria graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Business. Upon graduation, Maria started with Accenture (a technology consulting firm) in Columbus, OH, then later transferred to the Boston office so that she could be closer to one of her favorite humans (also known as Eric Hinterman). As a Partner GRA, Maria loves to help Floor 5 students when looking for career advice, time management ideas, or a mentor on general life topics!
Amauche Emenari
Room: 5081
Email: amauche (at) mit.edu
I am a second-year graduate student in Computational Neuroscience in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department at MIT. I currently work as a member of the Synthetic Neurobiology Group specializing in using biological and machine learning techniques to build structural models of the central nervous system. I am interested in understanding how the interaction of complex neural circuits leads to thoughts, perceptions, learning, memory, and behavior and developing devices to interpret and influence brain function. Prior to arriving at MIT, I designed and developed neuroscience games at the National Institutes of Health. I have worked in industry as a software developer on Apple's iPhone software team and on Microsoft's Cloud Infrastructure team.
I was born and raised in Washington D.C. I earned my bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science from Duke University and my master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University. I love to follow sports, especially college basketball and tennis. I also love to talk tech, history, culture, and food. If you just want a listening ear I'm here for that too. Feel free to come by, all are welcome!
Sixth Floor
Manuel Gutierrez
Room: 6019
Email: mgutier (at) mit.edu
I was born in Mexico, but grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio from when I was 10 through high school. I went to Purdue University where I studied electrical engineering, and was a varsity swimmer all four years. Now at MIT I'm pursuing my Masters and PhD under Professor Steve Leeb. In his lab we look at how different power converters found in everyday electronics can affect the performance and stability of the utility grid. I'm also a TA for the 6.131 and 6.115 labs taught by Prof. Leeb. Outside of the lab I'm still very involved in swimming, and still race competitively from time to time, as well as being an assistant for the MIT swimming and diving teams. You'll find me on the pool deck cheering them on during a swim meet! I've also become of fan of sailing, and I also like running, climbing, and skiing. I also can play the drums, so I welcome any drum-off challenges!
Bianca Datta
Room: 6081
Email: bdatta (at) mit.edu
I’m a second year PhD student in the Object-Based Media group at the Media Lab and I arrived at MIT from Maryland via Philadelphia. I study materials (both how we can leverage them for technology and how we perceive them), and I love caffeine.
I studied Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2014. While at Penn, I served as a Resident Advisor and led a Visual Arts Residential Program to escape the drudgery of engineering problem sets and strike a balance between technical tasks and creative endeavors. I spent time as a Peer Advisor and Teaching Assistant and I worked in a Chemistry/ Materials Science lab and researched quantum dot materials for photovoltaic applications.
On campus, I work as a graduate community fellow on programs for women, and I volunteer with an organization called Minds Matter, through which I mentor a local high school student. I enjoy eating frozen yogurt and exploring cities. I like photography, tea, and talking to people. I run in my free time, and I’m trying to learn hip-hop dance this summer. This summer, I plan to start an herb garden and practice cooking some new dishes. I love reading, listening to spoken-word poetry, and trying new food. I'm frequently excited by dinosaurs and sushi, and I hope to one day apply my materials background to a career in human-centered product design. At any given time, I have about fourteen types of tea in my room, so feel free to drop by for a cup!
