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dishita turakhia

HCI Researcher | Computational Designer | Architect

I am currently a 5th-year Ph.D. candidate in the EECS dept. at MIT, and a Research Scientist Intern at the Meta Reality Labs. I conduct research in the field of Human-Computer Interaction in the HCIE group in MIT CSAIL, where I am advised by Prof. Stefanie Mueller.  


I am currently part of the EECS Rising Stars cohort (2022-23) and a recipient of the Meta (Facebook) Ph.D. Research Fellowship (2022-24) and the MIT Edwin S. Webster Graduate Fellowship (2018). My research is supported by several grants, including the National Science Foundation (NSF Career, NSF Small) and the MIT Integrated Learning Initiative (1, 2). I am also a SERC scholar (2022) and a Grace Hopper Conference scholar (2018). 


In my Ph.D., I build systems for autodidactic learning of skills, such as motor skills, fabrication skills, and maker skills. While my current work lies at the intersection of system design and learning sciences, I am also inspired to pursue interdisciplinary research in design, cognitive science, and AR/VR environments.   


Before starting my Ph.D. in the Human-Computer Interaction discipline in the EECS dept. at MIT, I received a dual masters degree in the EECS dept. (MS) and the architecture dept. (SMArchS computation) at MIT in 2017, in addition to masters in design technology (EmTech) at the Architectural Association in 2011. Besides academic research, I have worked in the industry as a computational designer in London, Singapore, and Bern, and as a licensed architect in Mumbai, where I also co-led my design firm, ArchitextureBuro. 


email: dishita[at]mit[dot]edu

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

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


CV [PDF]


current research (HCI)

The Reflective Maker: Using Reflection to Support Skill-learning in Makerspaces

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

The Reflective Maker: Using Reflection to Support Skill-learning in Makerspaces

[Poster] In User Interface Software and Technology 2022 (ACM UIST ’22), Oct, 2022, Bend, Oregon, USA.  



Reimagining Systems for Learning Hands-on Creative and Maker Skills

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

The Reflective Maker: Using Reflection to Support Skill-learning in Makerspaces

[Workshop] In Human Factors in Computing 2022 (ACM CHI ’22), April29-May5, 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA.   


Website

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

In Human Factors in Computing 2022 (ACM CHI ’22), April29-May5, 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA.


Designing Adaptive Tools for Motor Skill Training

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

Identifying Game Mechanics for Integrating Fabrication Activities within Existing Digital Games

[Demo] In User Interface Software and Technology 2021 (ACM UIST ’21), Oct, 2021, Virtual Event, USA.

 

FabO: Integrating Fabrication with a Player's Gameplay in Existing Digital Games

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

 In Creativity and Cognition Conference 2021 (ACM C&C ’21), June 22-July23, 2021, Virtual Event, USA.  


 DOI | PDF | Project | Video | Talk 

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

Adapt2Learn: A Toolkit for Configuring the Learning Algorithm for Adaptive Physical Tools for Motor

 In Designing Interactive Systems Conference 2021 (ACM DIS ’21), June 28-July2, 2021, Virtual Event, USA.  


 DOI | PDF | Project | Video | Talk 

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

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

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

In Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (ACM TEI '21), Feb 14-19, 2021, Virtual Event, USA. 


DOI | PDF | Video | Project | Talk | News

PRior RESEARCH (COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN)

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

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 

Minimalision

Thirteen Ways of Looking

Hand in Glove

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


Project 

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 

Silent Game

Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

 Building computational models of social cognition and visual communication 


PDF | Project 

Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

Sketching with Machines

Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques


PDF | Project 

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Studying the neuroscience of spatial cognition in architectural design


PDF | Project 

Dynamic Tensegrity Structures

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

 Using irregular Tensegrity habitable structures in slums of Mumbai 


PDF | Project 

Computational Creativity

Neuroscience and Spatial Cognition

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques


Project 

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Biomimetic behavior material study of hygromorphism in pine-cones


Project 

Urban design

Biomimetics - Hygromorphism

Urban design

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


Project 

teaching

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

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

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

TEDx + Podcasts

Outreach (Committees)

Conference Talks

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

Conference Talks

Outreach (Committees)

Conference Talks

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


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

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

Maldives

Maldives

Maldives

2021

Canada

Maldives

Maldives

2019, 2018

Colombia

Maldives

Colombia

2019

Turkey

Scotland

Colombia

2019

Scotland

Scotland

Scotland

2019

Germany

Scotland

Scotland

2018, 2010

Morocco

Morocco

Morocco

2018

Spain

Morocco

Morocco

2018, 2008

Bhutan

Morocco

Bhutan

2018

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

2017

Finland

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

2017

Iceland

Nicaragua

Iceland

2017

Estonia

Madagascar

Iceland

2017

Kenya

Madagascar

Madagascar

2017

Madagascar

Madagascar

Madagascar

2017

Mauritius

Mauritius

Mauritius

2017

Guatemala

Mauritius

Mauritius

2017

Belize

Mauritius

Belize

2017

Mexico

Mexico

Belize

2016, 2018

Cuba

Mexico

Chile

2016

Chile

Mexico

Chile

2016

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

2015

Indonesia

Singapore

Singapore

2015

Thailand

Singapore

Thailand

2015

Malaysia

Sri Lanka

Thailand

2015

Cambodia

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

2015

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

2015

UAE

UAE

UAE

2015

Connect

I am always looking for research and entrepreneurial opportunities related to design, emerging technologies, or HCI. Looking to connect with other curious minds to initiate innovative projects! 


Contact: dishita[at]mit[dot]edu


Copyright © 2017 Dishita Turakhia - All Rights Reserved.