The AeroAstro dREFS are graduate students trained in conflict management. You can contact an individual dREF directly or find us all at aeroastro-refs@mit.edu. If you are interested in joining the team, contact us at aeroastro-refs@mit.edu for information about training. If you are interested in our organizational structure, you can read our constitution.

Jasmine Jerry Aloor (co-president)

Jasmine Jerry Aloor

  • 2nd year in the Dynamics, Infrastructure Networks, and Mobility (DINaMo) Group
  • Hometown: Bangalore, India
  • Contact: jjaloor@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Hindi, Malayalam

“Hi! I’m a graduate student in AeroAstro working on safe planning and fair decision-making for multi-agent robots. In my spare time, I love to read and learn about new technologies, and their potential impact on society. Some of my newest hobbies are knitting, playing board games with friends and learning new languages. I love having conversations with people about any topic and I’m committed to supporting my fellow graduate students. As a dREFS, I’m always available and approachable, willing to help with any questions or concerns”

Allan Shtofenmakher (co-president)

Allan Shtofenmakher

  • 2nd year in the Dynamics, Infrastructure Networks, and Mobility (DINaMo) lab
  • Hometown: Irvine, CA
  • Contact: ashtofen@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Russian, Spanish

“Hey there! I’m an AeroAstro PhD student interested in using distributed satellite cameras to keep track of all of the tiny pieces of debris in low Earth orbit. When I’m not in lab, I enjoy exploring Boston, meeting new people, trying new things, hosting parties, crafting cocktails, and doing tricks on my skateboard—sometimes successfully. I joined dREFS because I want students in this department to feel welcome in their research labs and appreciated in their interactions with their advisors. I’m fortunate to have a great relationship with my PI, and I want to propagate that through the rest of the department. So, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here to listen, and if you need to navigate a difficult situation, I’ll be your GPS.”

Alex Meredith (vice president)

Alex Meredith

  • 3rd year in the Aerospace Controls Lab (ACL)
  • Hometown: Seattle, Washington
  • Contact: ameredit@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hi! I’m a PhD student interested in space-based imaging, machine learning, and spacecraft autonomy, navigation, and control. I love rock climbing, hiking, and the outdoors. I also really enjoy cooking and baking with my fiancée. I joined dREFS because I’m passionate about grad student health and wellbeing. I’m here to listen and help support other grad students through stress, anxiety, burnout, or any other problems you’re experiencing inside of or outside of MIT!”

Myrella Cabral

Myrella Cabral

  • 2nd year as an AeroAstro grad student and 1st year in the Hypersonic Research Lab
  • Hometown: Recife, PE, Brazil
  • Contact: myrella@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Portuguese

“Hi! I’m a graduate student in AeroAstro working on Aerothermoelasticity in Hypersonic flow. I firmly believe that we all should contribute to create an atmosphere of respect and cooperation/collaboration. As a dREFS, I’m here to listen and support other MIT graduate students.”

Emma Shafer

Emma Shafer

  • 1st year in the Space Telecommunications, Astronomy, and Radiation (STAR) lab
  • Hometown: Fernandina Beach, Florida
  • Contact: shaferem@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hi! I’m Emma Shafer, and I am a first year master’s student in STAR lab. In my free time, I like to play in music ensembles (I have experience in flute, oboe, and piano), play video games, and walking my dog. Some other things about me is that I’m asexual, and I recently discovered that I am autistic. I joined dREFS because I found it very helpful my first semester (when I took a fellowship rejection hard), and I want to help others. I would be happy to share my experiences.”

Heekun Roh

Heekun Roh

  • 1st year PhD in the Engineering Systems Laboratory
  • Hometown: Daejeon, Republic of Korea
  • Contact: hroh@mit.edu
  • Languages: Korean, English, French

“Hello everyone, I am Heekun, 1st year PhD student at ESL and I am interested in every topic regarding space, systems, and optimization. I am a person of mind and hand, mind for the PhD studies, and hands for many hobbies. Beside research, I am a jazz/blues guitarist with 10+ years of band experience, a sweater knitter, and also a liquid (water, tea, coffee, beer, wine, whatever liquid) enthusiast. I would be happy to share my experiences as a (late) millennial, as a struggling graduate student, and as an international in US.”

Polly Harrington

Polly Harrington

  • 2nd year in the Engineering Systems Laboratory
  • Hometown: Seattle, WA
  • Contact: ph1@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Spanish (conversational)

“Polly Harrington is a student in ESL researching system safety (currently looking at healthcare safety). Outside of research, Polly is a member of the MIT curling team (we’re always looking for new curlers :)) and does far too many crafts (embroidery/sewing/knitting/etc.). I want to help ensure grad students enjoy their time at MIT and am always happy to talk!”

Alex Miller

  • 3rd year in the Human Systems Lab
  • Hometown: Seattle, WA
  • Contact: asmiller@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hi! I’m a graduate student in AeroAstro currently working on an air-dropped ice penetrator to deliver seismometers to Antarctic ice shelves. I’m interested in waves, remote sensing, electrical systems, circuits and space systems. I also enjoy practicing cello, hiking long distances and cooking for my housemates. I’m enthused to support graduate students navigating advisor relations, thesis writing and anything else you’d like to discuss.”

Sydney Dolan

  • 5th year in the DiNAMo
  • Hometown: Centreville, Virginia
  • Contact: sydneyd@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hello hello hello! I am a PhD student interested in graph neural networks and game theoretic design for space traffic management. I love trail running, ice climbing, and going to drag shows. I joined dREFS because I’m passionate about student wellbeing, and I believe everyone should have the tools and support they need to succeed in graduate school. My path to my current advisor was a little rocky and nontraditional, so I’m happy to chat about advising issues and what it’s like to switch advisors. As a dREFS, I’m here to listen and support other graduate students through any problems that you’re dealing with at MIT!”

Chris Chin

Andrew Fishberg

  • 5th year in the Dynamics, Infrastructure Networks, and Mobility (DINaMo) lab
  • Hometown: Seattle, WA
  • Contact: chychin@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hi! I’m an AeroAstro PhD student interested in air transportation, including airlines, air traffic management, and advanced air mobility. In my free time, I enjoy playing team sports (particularly soccer) and biking/kayaking along the Charles. I also love to travel and plan trips. I joined dREFS because I want my fellow grad student to have the best experience possible at MIT, both academically and socially.”

Ryan de Freitas Bart

Ryan de Freitas Bart

  • 6th year in the Engineering Systems Lab
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Contact: ryandfb@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Hi everyone! My name is Ryan and I’m a fifth-year graduate student in the AeroAstro department being advised by Prof. Jeff Hoffman. I work in the Engineering Systems Lab and am also a Draper Scholar. I currently serve as a Co-President of the Graduate Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (GA^3) and Chair of the GSC Committee on Academics, Research, and Careers (ARC).”

Ryann Hee

Ryann Hee

  • 3rd year in the Human Systems Lab
  • Hometown: Fort Bragg, CA
  • Contact: ryannhee@mit.edu
  • Languages: English

“Ryann is a student in the HSL as well as a Draper Scholar currently working on miniaturized power conversion technology for space-based applications. Outside of lab, Ryann volunteers as an EMT for MIT EMS and enjoys soccer, climbing, and just about anything outdoors. She has experience switching advisors, changing research topics, and navigating the various grad resources on campus. She is passionate about helping others and wants AeroAstro to be a welcoming and enjoyable experience for the community.”

Sunbochen Tang

Sunbochen Tang

  • 3rd year in the Azizan Lab (LIDS/MECHE)
  • Hometown: Wuhan, China
  • Contact: tangsun@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Mandarin

“Hi! I’m a 3rd year AeroAstro Ph.D. student in the Azizan lab (affiliated with LIDS/MECHE). My research focuses on developing trustworthy autonomous systems, with broader interests in control theory, optimization and learning. Outside of the lab, I enjoy walking around the city with my camera and cafe hopping, I also recently started learning to play the piano and to sail. I have experiences switching advisors, working with advisors outside AeroAstro, and changing research topics, from an international student perspective. Feel free to reach me via email, I am always happy to chat about grad school experiences or anything you have in mind!”

Julie Zhu

Julie Zhu

  • 1st year in the Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) group
  • Hometown: Nantong, China
  • Contact: qianyu_z@mit.edu
  • Languages: English, Mandarin

“Hi! I am a graduate student in AeroAstro/LIDS working on Bayesian optimal experimental design and developing efficient methods for sampling. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, playing badminton, listening to music, and cooking. Recently I am addicted to Kant and Rawls’ ideas (try my best to understand them >_<). I join dREFS because I experienced stress and depression during my first semester of PhD, and realized that having someone to talk to REALLY HELPS! I hope every AeroAstro student could feel like home on campus and build strong relationship with their peers and PIs. I am always here to support you!”