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)
[Poster] In User Interface Software and Technology 2022 (ACM UIST ’22), Oct, 2022, Bend, Oregon, USA.
[Workshop] In Human Factors in Computing 2022 (ACM CHI ’22), April29-May5, 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA.
In Human Factors in Computing 2022 (ACM CHI ’22), April29-May5, 2022, New Orleans, LA, USA.
[Demo] In User Interface Software and Technology 2021 (ACM UIST ’21), Oct, 2021, Virtual Event, USA.
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
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.
Using sensor based gloves to track glass blower artist's gestures during creation of an artifact
PDF | Project
Building computational models of social cognition and visual communication
PDF | Project
Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques
PDF | Project
Studying the neuroscience of spatial cognition in architectural design
PDF | Project
Using irregular Tensegrity habitable structures in slums of Mumbai
PDF | Project
Fabricating a 2-axis sketching tool and exploring sketching techniques
Project
Biomimetic behavior material study of hygromorphism in pine-cones
Project
Using climate analysis for the design of urban massing for city of Ningbo, China
Project
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
On the value of pursuing your dreams | Blog Link
“… you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future…”
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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