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dishita turakhia

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Researcher | Computational Designer | Architect

Dishita is a Ph.D. student in the Human-Computer Interaction Engineering (HCIE) Group at Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her current work focuses on adaptive tools for mastering various skills, such as motor skills, maker skills, and creative skills using personal fabrication.   


Before starting her Ph.D. in the Human-Computer Interaction field at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (EECS), she received dual masters in EECS (MIT) and computational design (SMArchS, MIT) in addition to masters in design technology (EmTech, AA).  Prior to returning to academia, she worked as an architect and computational designer for 5+ years in Mumbai, London, Singapore, and Bern. Her work is highly interdisciplinary drawing from fields of Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Architecture, and Urban Design.


email: dishita[at]mit.edu

office: 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Map)

LinkedIn | HCIE-Website | Google Scholar | TEDx Talk  | CV(PDF) | Portfolio (PDF)


Current Research

  • Research PI - Prof. Stefanie Mueller | Human-Computer Interaction Engineering | MIT


Past Research

  • Workshop Host - Prof. Toni Kotnik | Aalto Technical University
  • M.S. EECS Adviser -  Prof. Patrick Winston | Genesis Group | CSAIL | MIT
  • SMArchS Adviser - Prof. George Stiny | Design and Computation Group | SA+P | MIT
  • Research PI - Prof. Larry Sass | Digital Design and Fabrication Group | SA+P | MIT
  • Research PI - Prof. Michael Budig | Architecture and Sustainable Design | SUTD
  • M.Sc. EmTech Adviser - Prof. Mike Weinstock | Emergent Technologies and Design | AA School of Architecture


Past Work 

  • PLP Architecture, London
  • sP+a, Mumbai

Education

  • 2017 - M.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge 
  • 2017 - SMArchS Design and Computation, MIT, Cambridge
  • 2011 - M.S. EmTech (Emergent Technologies in Design), AA School of Architecture, London
  • 2008 - B.Arch, KRVIA, Mumbai University, Mumbai


 Technical Expertise

  • 3D Modeling (Rhino, Grasshopper, Sketchup, Vray, Flamingo, Solidworks)
  • Programming (Python, Tensorflow, WebPPL, Machine Learning)
  • Prototyping (Lasercutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, Waterjet cutting)
  • Parametric Design (Rhinoscript, GH, GC, VB Script, Arduino, Processing)
  • Analysis (Ecotect, Strand7, Ansys)
  • Presentation (Adobe Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier, MS Office, Autocad, Revit, Microstation, VectorWorks)

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CURRENT RESEARCH (HCI)

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Physical Tools that Adapt their Shape based on Learner's Performance Help in Motor-Skills Training

TEI 2021 (accepted)

PDF | Video | Project | News

PAST RESEARCH (COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN)

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Thirteen Ways of Looking

Thirteen Ways of Looking

Thirteen Ways of Looking

 Can creative thinking be computational? How do humans engage in creative thoughts? In this inquiry, I investigate what aspects of human intelligence enables us to be a creative society.  I apply the computational framework of Shape Grammar developed by Prof. George Stiny at MIT to creative thinking for machines proposing to consider thou

 Can creative thinking be computational? How do humans engage in creative thoughts? In this inquiry, I investigate what aspects of human intelligence enables us to be a creative society.  I apply the computational framework of Shape Grammar developed by Prof. George Stiny at MIT to creative thinking for machines proposing to consider thoughts as shapes, ideas as spatial relations, and creative thinking as computing with shape grammar.  

PDF | Project

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sketchCAD

Thirteen Ways of Looking

Thirteen Ways of Looking

Architects spend 60% of their design time in drafting their conceptual sketches into CAD drawings.  In this project, we use machine learning to automate the mundane parts of drafting for increased efficiency.


PDF 

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Minimalision

Thirteen Ways of Looking

Hand in Glove

 How can we use sensor technology to detect distractions and block them?


Project 

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Hand in Glove

Sketching with Machines

Hand in Glove

 Using sensor based gloves to track glass blower artist's gestures during creation of an artifact  


PDF | Project 

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Silent Game

Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

 Building computational models of social cognition and visual communication 


PDF | Project 

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Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques


PDF | Project 

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Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Studying the neuroscience of spatial cognition in architectural design


PDF | Project 

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Dynamic Tensegrity Structures

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

 Using irregular Tensegrity habitable structures in slums of Mumbai 


PDF | Project 

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Computational Creativity

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques


Project 

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Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetic behavior material study of hygromorphism in pine-cones


Project 

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Urban design

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Urban design

Using climate analysis for the design of urban massing for city of Ningbo, China


Project 

teaching

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Courses

Workshops (Computational Design)

Workshops (Computational Design)

  • 6.928 Leading Creative Teams, MIT |(Course Page)
  • 6.810 Embedded Interactive Technology, MIT | (Course Page)
  • Digital Design, KRVIA, Mumbai University

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Workshops (Computational Design)

Workshops (Computational Design)

Workshops (Computational Design)

  •  Spatial Cognition in Design, Aalto University, Helsinki 
  • Para-centric I, Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University, Mumbai
  • Para-centric II, Mumbai University, Mumbai

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Workshops (Entrepreneurship)

Workshops (Computational Design)

Workshops (Entrepreneurship)

  • MIT-Global Startup Lab Mentor, Mauritius (2017)
  • Volunteer mentor for CanopyCity accelerator, Somerville(2017)

talks, RECOGNITION and outreach

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TEDx + Podcasts

Outreach (Committees)

Conference Talks

  • TEDx BeaconSt Speaker (2017) 
  • Podcasts on Artificial Intelligence (2017)

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Conference Talks

Outreach (Committees)

Conference Talks

  •  Talk on Spatial Cognition at ANFA Conference (2016) 
  • Design lead for SketchCAD, DesignX Accelerator, MIT(2016)


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Outreach (Committees)

Outreach (Committees)

Outreach (Committees)

  • 2020, MIT Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
  • 2019, MIT Graduate Women in Course 6 (GW6) 
  • 2019, Graduate Women at MIT (GWAMIT)
  • 2019, New England Grad Women in STEM and Engineering (NEGWISE)


MIT BLOGS

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Away from MIT, with a slice of MIT

My experience with MISTI Global Startup Labs | Blog Link

I had just found my new home at MIT, but a home isn't home unless there is family. And in ... 

Curioser and curiouser

Why being at MIT is like being Alice in Wonderland | Blog Link

On my first day of grad school. I drank a magic potion from the fire-hose! And there I went ...


The Infinite Corridor

How the design of MIT represents its philosophy | Blog Link 

“How do I get to MIT?” I asked. It was a sunny afternoon with a crisp fall breeze. I was only ...

To MIT, with Love

 On the value of pursuing your dreams | Blog Link 

 “… you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future…”


Travel Photography

Canada

Colombia

Colombia

2019

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

2019

Turkey

Colombia

Scotland

2019

Scotland

Scotland

Scotland

2019

Mexico

Scotland

Mexico

2016

Cuba

Scotland

Mexico

2016

Chile

Indonesia

Thailand

2016

Thailand

Indonesia

Thailand

2015

Indonesia

Indonesia

Indonesia

2015

Malaysia

Sri Lanka

Indonesia

2015

Cambodia

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

2015

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

2015

Connect

I am always looking for research and entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of design and technology. Looking to connect with other curious minds to initiate innovative projects! 


Contact: dishita[at]mit.edu


Copyright © 2017 Dishita Turakhia - All Rights Reserved.