Who We Are

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.

José Soto (Co-President)

• 2nd year in the Engineering Systems Lab
• Hometown: Dallas, TX
• Contact: josesoto@mit.edu
• Languages: English

“Hey guys! I’m José, a first year grad student in the Engineering System Lab where I do ISRU (in-situ resource utilization) surface technology development. Outside of lab, you can find me playing volleyball, acting in live theater, playing video games, listening to music and moving heavy objects up and down repeatedly. I became a dREF because I know how big a toll grad school can have on stress, anxiety and mental health in general. I’m here to listen if you need someone to talk to. We got this!”

Mia Tian (Co-President)

• 2nd year in the Astrodynamics, Space Robotics, and Controls Laboratory (ARCLab)
• Hometown: Potomac, MD
• Contact: miatian@mit.edu
• Languages: English, Mandarin(ish)

“Hello! I’m a graduate student in AeroAstro researching space domain awareness, specifically studying collision avoidance and satellite drag. Aside from academics, I enjoy being a plant mom, drinking tea and sometimes moving my physical form. I have personally switched advisors and changed research topics, but I’d love to chat about anything with you. I’m here to listen and support however I can, so don’t hesitate to email me at miatian@mit.edu”

Sunbochen Tang (Co-President)

• 5th year in the Azizan Lab (LIDS/MECHE)
• Hometown: Wuhan, China
• Contact: tangsun@mit.edu
• Languages: English, Mandarin

“Hi! I’m a 5th 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 am also 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!”

Jasmine Jerry Aloor

• 4th 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

• 4th 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 detect and track spacecraft and debris in low Earth orbit. When I’m not in lab, I like throwing parties, making 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’re feeling lost in space, I’ll be your GPS.”

Alex Rose

• 5th year in the Aerospace Controls Lab
• Hometown: Seattle, Washington
• Contact: ameredit@mit.edu
• Languages: English

“Hi! I’m a PhD student interested in uncertainty-aware path planning and spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control. I love rock climbing, hiking, and the outdoors. I also enjoy playing video games, reading dystopian novels, and cooking and baking with my wife. I joined dREFS because I’m passionate about grad student health and wellbeing. I have experience switching advisors and switching research topics, but I’m here to listen and support you through any problem. You can reach out to me directly at ameredit@mit.edu.”

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.”

Heekun Roh

• 3rd 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.”

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.”

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.”

Julie Zhu

• 3rd 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!”

Kevin Zimmer

• 4th year in the DiNaMO group
• Hometown: Dallas, TX
• Contact: bowserjr@mit.edu
• Languages: English, German, Spanish, Japanese

“Hi! I’m a 4th-year student in air transportation systems, working on optimization of flight gate assignments. Apart from research, I practice with the MIT archery club and also sometimes act in plays with the MIT theatre program. In my free time, I enjoy flying planes and playing MarioKart. I have experience with switching advisors and research topics and am happy to help anyone with navigating these processes, or with many other situations one might encounter during their time at MIT.”

Olivier Ng’weno Kigotho

• 4th year in the Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment
• Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
• Contact: onkig98@mit.edu
• Languages: English, Kiswahili

“Hi! I’m a graduate student in AeroAstro working on finding ways for aircraft to avoid making contrails since constrails significantly impact the climate. Outside of the lab, I go sailing, paint, and play tennis. I have experience searching for a new advisor, and I’m happy to chat about stressors related to the field evaluation process or anything else that might be going on. Feel free to contact me directly at onkig98@mit.edu”

Marlene Euchenhofer (Treasurer)

• 3rd year in the Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment
• Hometown: Esslingen, Germany
• Contact: euchmv@mit.edu, ga3-treasurer@mit.edu
• Languages: English, German, Swedish (very basic), French (once upon a time)

“Hi all! I’m a PhD student in AeroAstro’s LAE research contrails via satellite-based remote sensing. As treasurer for both dREFS and GA^3 (the Graduate Student Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics) I mostly operate in the background, processing all our expenses. In my free time, I enjoy running all over Boston and Cambridge, playing guitar, and cooking for friends. If you have questions about how things work in the department or how to run an event you would like to see happen, feel free to reach out to me!”

Meet our alumni!

Sydney Dolan

• 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!”

Andrew Fishberg

• Aerospace Controls Lab (ACL)
• Hometown: Freehold, New Jersey
• Contact: fishberg@mit.edu
• Languages: English

“Hey all! I’m an AeroAstro PhD student working on multi-agent robotics. When not tinkering with robots in the lab, I love to play games, watch movies, and practice the accordion (I’m not very good yet, only recently started!). As a member of dREFS, I’m eager to lend a helpful ear to whatever problems you’re experiencing within or outside of MIT!”

Chris Chin

• 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

• 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).”

Polly Harrington

• 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!”

Emma Shafer

• 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.”