Before It's Too Late was founded by a team of graduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The idea was founded on the premise of the power of visual arts as a medium to evoke emotion. We are excited to merge our creative passion with our mission to mitigate climate change.
Founding Team
Linda Cheung - MIT Sloan MBA 2017
Linda came to MIT Sloan to pursue social entrepreneurship for sustainability. She is particularly passionate about renewable energy solutions and leads the Sloan Energy Club and works on projects with MIT Tata Center and MIT Energy Initiative. She and her co-founders evolved the idea to create BITL to address an empathy gap and crafted a vision from their collective brainstorms and interviews with experts in the field. She is excited to bring together people, arts, science and technology to build a powerful education and persuasion platform to rally a new American movement for climate action.
Linda came to MIT Sloan to pursue social entrepreneurship for sustainability. She is particularly passionate about renewable energy solutions and leads the Sloan Energy Club and works on projects with MIT Tata Center and MIT Energy Initiative. She and her co-founders evolved the idea to create BITL to address an empathy gap and crafted a vision from their collective brainstorms and interviews with experts in the field. She is excited to bring together people, arts, science and technology to build a powerful education and persuasion platform to rally a new American movement for climate action.
Jennifer Ballen - MIT Sloan MBA 2017
Jennifer is a 2017 MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management and Co-Founder of Before It's Too Late. She is inspired by working at the intersection of art, science, and technology and believes that reimagining simulations inside virtual reality represents our greatest opportunity to enhance people's capacity to empathize. Her interests include impact investing, the greening of sports, renewable energy and corporate implementation of sustainability. Prior to Sloan, Jennifer worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management in New York City. Jennifer is the Founder/Writer of www.thesustainableinvestor.net, an editorial website composed of narrative and economic analysis which demonstrate that profitability and environmental/social impact need not be mutually exclusive. In 2014, Jennifer became trained as a Climate Leader with Al Gore's Climate Reality Leadership Corps, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jennifer is a Level III CFA Candidate and holds a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from Lehigh University.
Jennifer is a 2017 MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan School of Management and Co-Founder of Before It's Too Late. She is inspired by working at the intersection of art, science, and technology and believes that reimagining simulations inside virtual reality represents our greatest opportunity to enhance people's capacity to empathize. Her interests include impact investing, the greening of sports, renewable energy and corporate implementation of sustainability. Prior to Sloan, Jennifer worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management in New York City. Jennifer is the Founder/Writer of www.thesustainableinvestor.net, an editorial website composed of narrative and economic analysis which demonstrate that profitability and environmental/social impact need not be mutually exclusive. In 2014, Jennifer became trained as a Climate Leader with Al Gore's Climate Reality Leadership Corps, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jennifer is a Level III CFA Candidate and holds a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from Lehigh University.
Hanson Gong - MIT Sloan MBA 2017
Hanson is a second-year MBA student at the Sloan School of Management pursuing the Sustainability Certificate. Prior to MIT, Hanson worked as a management consultant for Deloitte Consulting. His work in both strategy and operations spanned private, public, and non-profit sectors. During his time, Hanson was also selected as one of two inaugural Social Impact Fellows to work with The Monitor Institute with the launch of Deloitte’s new Social Impact Service Line. Additionally, Hanson is an avid adventure (adrenaline) seeker spending his time snowboarding, CrossFitting, rock climbing, hiking, traveling… anything that will get the heart pumping. His passion for technology and impact converged as BITL was founded.
Hanson is a second-year MBA student at the Sloan School of Management pursuing the Sustainability Certificate. Prior to MIT, Hanson worked as a management consultant for Deloitte Consulting. His work in both strategy and operations spanned private, public, and non-profit sectors. During his time, Hanson was also selected as one of two inaugural Social Impact Fellows to work with The Monitor Institute with the launch of Deloitte’s new Social Impact Service Line. Additionally, Hanson is an avid adventure (adrenaline) seeker spending his time snowboarding, CrossFitting, rock climbing, hiking, traveling… anything that will get the heart pumping. His passion for technology and impact converged as BITL was founded.
Avery Weidman - MIT Sloan MBA 2017
Avery is a second year Sloan student moving to Miami next year to work in Management Consulting. Before business school, she worked in foreign policy as a communications director and graphic designer. Having grown up on a small farm in rural Pennsylvania, Avery is passionate about agriculture and its place in the climate change narrative. She joined BITL in its earliest stages to help with creative and communications.
Avery is a second year Sloan student moving to Miami next year to work in Management Consulting. Before business school, she worked in foreign policy as a communications director and graphic designer. Having grown up on a small farm in rural Pennsylvania, Avery is passionate about agriculture and its place in the climate change narrative. She joined BITL in its earliest stages to help with creative and communications.
Charity Everett - Harvard Extension School, ALB Candidate 2019
Charity Everett has a background in musical VR Experience Creation. She previously was the head of VR Evangelism and Artist relations at Simmetri, and was selected as an Oculus LaunchPad Fellow for her work on creating musical Virtual Reality experiences. She has developed experiences for the Microsoft HoloLens, the HTC Vive, the Samsung Gear VR, and the Oculus Rift. Additionally, she served as a mentor at MIT Hacking Arts, a participant in the Reality Virtually Hackathon, and spoke on a panel on the future of VR and AR development at WECode Harvard.
Charity Everett has a background in musical VR Experience Creation. She previously was the head of VR Evangelism and Artist relations at Simmetri, and was selected as an Oculus LaunchPad Fellow for her work on creating musical Virtual Reality experiences. She has developed experiences for the Microsoft HoloLens, the HTC Vive, the Samsung Gear VR, and the Oculus Rift. Additionally, she served as a mentor at MIT Hacking Arts, a participant in the Reality Virtually Hackathon, and spoke on a panel on the future of VR and AR development at WECode Harvard.
Adriana Marquez - Hult International Business School, Master of International Marketing 2016
Adriana is a passionate environmentalist and a marketing specialist who loves that BITL is a project which can apply her skills to a meaningful mission. She believes VR will be a successful way to communicate and create empathy that will drive people to take action to mitigate climate change. She is energized in her role as the Project Coordinator for a large multi-university student collaboration.
Adriana is a passionate environmentalist and a marketing specialist who loves that BITL is a project which can apply her skills to a meaningful mission. She believes VR will be a successful way to communicate and create empathy that will drive people to take action to mitigate climate change. She is energized in her role as the Project Coordinator for a large multi-university student collaboration.
Senior Advisors
Jacob Loewenstein - MIT Sloan MBA 2017
Jacob is a 2nd year MBA at Sloan, and the Co-Founder of VR/AR MIT, MIT's VR/AR ecosystem. VR/AR MIT provides community, education and resources to students looking to pursue VR/AR entrepreneurship and creativity. VR/AR MIT has co-organized the largest VR/AR hackathon ever, taught MIT's first ever VR course, and created MIT's first public VR workspace.
After graduation, Jacob will join Samsung Next, where he will continue his work in VR/AR. Prior to MIT, Jacob worked in Business Development and Strategy and BuzzFeed, and as an internal management consultant at Bridgewater Associates. He received his BA in German Culture and Politics from Princeton University.
Jacob is a 2nd year MBA at Sloan, and the Co-Founder of VR/AR MIT, MIT's VR/AR ecosystem. VR/AR MIT provides community, education and resources to students looking to pursue VR/AR entrepreneurship and creativity. VR/AR MIT has co-organized the largest VR/AR hackathon ever, taught MIT's first ever VR course, and created MIT's first public VR workspace.
After graduation, Jacob will join Samsung Next, where he will continue his work in VR/AR. Prior to MIT, Jacob worked in Business Development and Strategy and BuzzFeed, and as an internal management consultant at Bridgewater Associates. He received his BA in German Culture and Politics from Princeton University.
Jessie Szemraj - University of Michigan, M.S.E. Computer Engineering (2010), B.S.E Electrical and Computer Engineering (2009)
Jessie is currently an independent consultant with experience in product, technical partnerships, and growth for early to mid-stage startups. After first hearing about BITL from the co-founders, she was immediately intrigued by the idea of using technology as a persuasive tool to tackle the world's biggest problems. She is excited to help BITL navigate their early but rapid growth in order to bring the true realities of climate change to the masses.
Jessie is currently an independent consultant with experience in product, technical partnerships, and growth for early to mid-stage startups. After first hearing about BITL from the co-founders, she was immediately intrigued by the idea of using technology as a persuasive tool to tackle the world's biggest problems. She is excited to help BITL navigate their early but rapid growth in order to bring the true realities of climate change to the masses.
Business
Maanya Condamoor - Yale School of Management, MBA, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Master of Environmental Management (MEM)
Maanya is a second-year MBA and Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale Schools of Management and Forestry & Environmental Studies. She is interested in helping businesses mitigate their environmental impact and using technology to reduce human environmental impact, and spent her summer as a Sustainability Intern at Facebook. Prior to Yale, Maanya worked in the corporate sustainability space, helping Kaiser Permanente reduce its environmental footprint and as a strategy and transformation consultant at IBM. She excited to bring together her passion for technology and environmental issues through the BITL.
Maanya is a second-year MBA and Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale Schools of Management and Forestry & Environmental Studies. She is interested in helping businesses mitigate their environmental impact and using technology to reduce human environmental impact, and spent her summer as a Sustainability Intern at Facebook. Prior to Yale, Maanya worked in the corporate sustainability space, helping Kaiser Permanente reduce its environmental footprint and as a strategy and transformation consultant at IBM. She excited to bring together her passion for technology and environmental issues through the BITL.
Mario Parker - Florida International University (undergrad, senior), Advertising & Digital Marketing
Passionate about increasing awareness for climate change and sustainability. Communications lead for Virtual reality projects here in South Florida through the FIU Virtual lab. Excited to be a part of the BITL team and to accomplish successful call to actions with an innovative platform!
Passionate about increasing awareness for climate change and sustainability. Communications lead for Virtual reality projects here in South Florida through the FIU Virtual lab. Excited to be a part of the BITL team and to accomplish successful call to actions with an innovative platform!
Natasha Doherty - Wharton (Undergrad, Junior), UPenn, studying Management, Social Impact and Responsibility, and Organizational Design
Natasha is a student at Penn, originally from London, UK. She sees business as a force for good and wants to use it to make life on Earth more sustainable for humans. She loves products and services that make life simpler, more eco-friendly, greener and more fulfilling for people living in urban areas. She is always open to meeting new people and loves to work on multidisciplinary teams that tackle difficult problems, like the BITL team!
Natasha is a student at Penn, originally from London, UK. She sees business as a force for good and wants to use it to make life on Earth more sustainable for humans. She loves products and services that make life simpler, more eco-friendly, greener and more fulfilling for people living in urban areas. She is always open to meeting new people and loves to work on multidisciplinary teams that tackle difficult problems, like the BITL team!
Data
Andrew Zucker - University of Miami, Ecosystem Science and Policy, Chemistry, Geology
Andrew is a senior at the University of Miami studying Ecosystem Science and Policy, Chemistry, and Geology. In regards to BITL, Andrew will be working on the Data Sub Team and is beyond excited to educate other on the imminent danger of climate change. Over the years Andrew has worked on projects focusing on the production of biodiesel and has been involved in many climate change events.
Andrew is a senior at the University of Miami studying Ecosystem Science and Policy, Chemistry, and Geology. In regards to BITL, Andrew will be working on the Data Sub Team and is beyond excited to educate other on the imminent danger of climate change. Over the years Andrew has worked on projects focusing on the production of biodiesel and has been involved in many climate change events.
Cindy G. Castro - Florida International University, B.S. 2018
Cindy is a communications student focusing on digital media studies. She started working with the Mobile Virtual Reality Lab at FIU in 2016. That fall semester, she was the research lead and main scriptwriter for a VR video on the importance of mangroves for South Florida’s ecosystem. Cindy hopes that working with the BITL team will help make this world a better place, one VR experience at a time.
Cindy is a communications student focusing on digital media studies. She started working with the Mobile Virtual Reality Lab at FIU in 2016. That fall semester, she was the research lead and main scriptwriter for a VR video on the importance of mangroves for South Florida’s ecosystem. Cindy hopes that working with the BITL team will help make this world a better place, one VR experience at a time.
Kaylee Brent - MIT, BS in Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science
Kaylee has spent years working with meteorology and climatology data and models, and has been an activist for climate change beyond her research. In America, climate change remains very difficult for many people to grasp, in part because people tend to think in stories, not data. Fitting accurate scientific information into a narrative about climate change that people can experience will help to bring the issue within the realm of understanding of the average person, and towards that end Kaylee is working to find quality data for use in BITL's VR experience.
Kaylee has spent years working with meteorology and climatology data and models, and has been an activist for climate change beyond her research. In America, climate change remains very difficult for many people to grasp, in part because people tend to think in stories, not data. Fitting accurate scientific information into a narrative about climate change that people can experience will help to bring the issue within the realm of understanding of the average person, and towards that end Kaylee is working to find quality data for use in BITL's VR experience.
Lisa Johns - University of Miami, PhD 2019
Lisa is pursuing her doctorate in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Miami. Her research combines environmental science, media studies, and her interdisciplinary revisual anthropology to examine the ways that NGOs use digital media to represent environmental problems and advocate for social change. She received her Master’s degree at New York University in Applied Quantitative Research, and is a firm believer in the awesome power of new technologies to transport audiences, improve scientific literacy, and drive transformative change.
Lisa is pursuing her doctorate in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Miami. Her research combines environmental science, media studies, and her interdisciplinary revisual anthropology to examine the ways that NGOs use digital media to represent environmental problems and advocate for social change. She received her Master’s degree at New York University in Applied Quantitative Research, and is a firm believer in the awesome power of new technologies to transport audiences, improve scientific literacy, and drive transformative change.
Sean Charles - College of William and Mary BA English and Environmental Science and Policy (2008), Virginia Institute of Marine Science MS Marine Biology (2013), FIU PhD Biology
Sean is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at FIU, where he is focusing on the impacts of climate change on coastal wetland function and vulnerability. Coastal wetlands provide extremely valuable ecological services, but exist at the interface of land and sea and are thus among the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change. As an English major turned scientist, Sean thinks that the best way to explain complex issues (like sea-level rise) and create change, is through combining powerful stories with quality data.
Sean is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at FIU, where he is focusing on the impacts of climate change on coastal wetland function and vulnerability. Coastal wetlands provide extremely valuable ecological services, but exist at the interface of land and sea and are thus among the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change. As an English major turned scientist, Sean thinks that the best way to explain complex issues (like sea-level rise) and create change, is through combining powerful stories with quality data.
Simulations
Alicia Noriega - MIT/ Urban Studies and Environmental Policy, MCP 2018
Alicia is in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT, where she is focusing on sustainable city design and engaging stakeholders around water and energy solutions for resource-scarce areas. Her focus at DUSP is to harness dynamic spatial analysis and gaming simulation to facilitate collaborative visualization of answers to complex problems, particularly those in the arid and rapidly growing areas in the developing world. Prior to DUSP, Alicia worked for 5 years in international development, mainly in the Middle East.
Alicia is in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT, where she is focusing on sustainable city design and engaging stakeholders around water and energy solutions for resource-scarce areas. Her focus at DUSP is to harness dynamic spatial analysis and gaming simulation to facilitate collaborative visualization of answers to complex problems, particularly those in the arid and rapidly growing areas in the developing world. Prior to DUSP, Alicia worked for 5 years in international development, mainly in the Middle East.
Trevor Thompson - Yale University, MEM/MBA Candidate
Trevor is pursuing a joint Master of Environmental Management (MEM)/MBA at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Yale School of Management. His main interests are climate change and its impacts on health, environmental health, climate justice and adaptation, environmental justice, environmental racism, and corporate and organizational sustainability in relation to the planetary boundaries framework. Before coming to Yale, Trevor worked as a professional futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures, where he conducted scenario planning, forecasting, horizon scans, and strategy advising for clients, mainly in the areas of public health, health care, emerging technologies, and sustainability. He is excited to work with this group and impressed with the credentials of the team.
Trevor is pursuing a joint Master of Environmental Management (MEM)/MBA at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Yale School of Management. His main interests are climate change and its impacts on health, environmental health, climate justice and adaptation, environmental justice, environmental racism, and corporate and organizational sustainability in relation to the planetary boundaries framework. Before coming to Yale, Trevor worked as a professional futurist at the Institute for Alternative Futures, where he conducted scenario planning, forecasting, horizon scans, and strategy advising for clients, mainly in the areas of public health, health care, emerging technologies, and sustainability. He is excited to work with this group and impressed with the credentials of the team.
Social Science
Aisha Jamali - George Mason University B.A. 2017
Aisha is an undergraduate at George Mason University, double majoring in global affairs and environmental sustainability studies with a concentration in policy. Her interests include; International environmental policy, ecotechnology, and sustainable development.
Currently, with her capstone project she is focusing on creating more stronger and sustainable institutions in her local community as one of the U.N Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the BITL Social Science team, she is excited to be a part of the BITL mission and multi campus collaborative to raise awareness of climate change through VR technology.
Aisha is an undergraduate at George Mason University, double majoring in global affairs and environmental sustainability studies with a concentration in policy. Her interests include; International environmental policy, ecotechnology, and sustainable development.
Currently, with her capstone project she is focusing on creating more stronger and sustainable institutions in her local community as one of the U.N Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the BITL Social Science team, she is excited to be a part of the BITL mission and multi campus collaborative to raise awareness of climate change through VR technology.
Cindy G. Castro – See above in Data Team. She is a member of two teams.
Jingning (Alicia) Hong - Boston University, M.S. Candidate in Marketing Communication Research 2018
Alicia is a graduate student enrolled in Marketing Communication Research program at Boston University (BU). She has great passion for virtual reality technology and is a strong believer in its power to bolster human intelligence, create awareness, inspiration and social changes for our planet. Her work at BU explores the mind-and-body relationship within different media contexts in VR using biometric devices and psychological measurements. After graduation, she wants to work for a cutting-edge technology company that provides a meaningful service and redefines social rules to further human intelligence. She hopes that her work with the BITL team will help infuse social science in the simulation outcomes to effectively inform audience of the urgent message sent out via the virtual environment.
Alicia is a graduate student enrolled in Marketing Communication Research program at Boston University (BU). She has great passion for virtual reality technology and is a strong believer in its power to bolster human intelligence, create awareness, inspiration and social changes for our planet. Her work at BU explores the mind-and-body relationship within different media contexts in VR using biometric devices and psychological measurements. After graduation, she wants to work for a cutting-edge technology company that provides a meaningful service and redefines social rules to further human intelligence. She hopes that her work with the BITL team will help infuse social science in the simulation outcomes to effectively inform audience of the urgent message sent out via the virtual environment.
Roxanne Rahnama - MIT, S.M. Candidate in the Technology and Policy Program (2018)
Roxanne is a first-year S.M. student in the Technology and Policy Program at MIT and fellow at the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Economics & Policy, with a minor in Global Poverty & Practice from the University of California, Berkeley in Fall 2015. Prior to MIT, she worked as a research assistant on multiple projects with Professor Edward Miguel at UC Berkeley and Professor Jonas Hjort at Columbia Business School, as well as an activist and student organizer for the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign of the Enough Project in Washington, DC. Roxanne is passionate about the intersections of behavioral and development economics, participatory design, natural resource management, climate change and conflict. Her current research at MIT Tata involves investigating financial, socio-economic, political, cultural, behavioral, and regulatory roadblocks that impede rural electrification and energy access, with a focus on India and east Africa.
Roxanne is a first-year S.M. student in the Technology and Policy Program at MIT and fellow at the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Economics & Policy, with a minor in Global Poverty & Practice from the University of California, Berkeley in Fall 2015. Prior to MIT, she worked as a research assistant on multiple projects with Professor Edward Miguel at UC Berkeley and Professor Jonas Hjort at Columbia Business School, as well as an activist and student organizer for the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign of the Enough Project in Washington, DC. Roxanne is passionate about the intersections of behavioral and development economics, participatory design, natural resource management, climate change and conflict. Her current research at MIT Tata involves investigating financial, socio-economic, political, cultural, behavioral, and regulatory roadblocks that impede rural electrification and energy access, with a focus on India and east Africa.
Solutions
Anna Hassan - George Mason University BA 2018
Anna is a student at GMU pursuing a degree in environmental and sustainability studies with a concentration in equity and environmental justice. She aspires to be an environmental lawyer and defend those that are most vulnerable to environmental injustices and climate change. Anna hopes that through BITL’s VR she can provide feasible solutions to better serve those who are being affected by climate change.
Anna is a student at GMU pursuing a degree in environmental and sustainability studies with a concentration in equity and environmental justice. She aspires to be an environmental lawyer and defend those that are most vulnerable to environmental injustices and climate change. Anna hopes that through BITL’s VR she can provide feasible solutions to better serve those who are being affected by climate change.
Ben Wilson - FIU, Ph.D. Candidate in Biology
Ben is a current Ph.D. Candidate at FIU finishing up his dissertation work looking at the effects of saltwater intrusion into coastal ecosystems, specifically the Everglades. His passion is finding ways to turn environmental research into material that can be effectively communicated to the appropriate groups with the goal of enacting effective policy. He served as a science communication fellow with the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and has participated in many outreach events in order to better engage the community in the scientific process. He is looking forward to using his knowledge about the environment and the way it functions to create effective policies and calls-to-action relative to this project.
Ben is a current Ph.D. Candidate at FIU finishing up his dissertation work looking at the effects of saltwater intrusion into coastal ecosystems, specifically the Everglades. His passion is finding ways to turn environmental research into material that can be effectively communicated to the appropriate groups with the goal of enacting effective policy. He served as a science communication fellow with the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and has participated in many outreach events in order to better engage the community in the scientific process. He is looking forward to using his knowledge about the environment and the way it functions to create effective policies and calls-to-action relative to this project.
Johanna Falkenhagen - FIU/ Digital Studies and Mass Comm. 2017
Johanna is a student pursuing her Bachelors in Digital Media Studies and Mass Communications. She has been working with Dr. Gutsche from FIU throughout various projects involving VR and research. Being a part of the BITL team inspires her to keep on participating in these types of research projects which help to shed light on topics that are usually ignored by others who can’t quite comprehend the severity of certain problems in our planet. She is looking forward to gaining more and more experience by cooperatively working with people from Universities from all around the world.
Johanna is a student pursuing her Bachelors in Digital Media Studies and Mass Communications. She has been working with Dr. Gutsche from FIU throughout various projects involving VR and research. Being a part of the BITL team inspires her to keep on participating in these types of research projects which help to shed light on topics that are usually ignored by others who can’t quite comprehend the severity of certain problems in our planet. She is looking forward to gaining more and more experience by cooperatively working with people from Universities from all around the world.
Stories
Bridget Power - Harvard Divinity School, MDiv Candidate (2019)
Bridget is a documentary filmmaker interested in using digital storytelling for social and ecological justice. She spent a year living in Southwestern Alaska where she witnessed the impact of climate change on rural communities. Bridget feels fortunate to be part of this interdisciplinary team of storytellers working to address climate change.
Bridget is a documentary filmmaker interested in using digital storytelling for social and ecological justice. She spent a year living in Southwestern Alaska where she witnessed the impact of climate change on rural communities. Bridget feels fortunate to be part of this interdisciplinary team of storytellers working to address climate change.
Alexandra Cleaver - Florida International University BA
Alexandra is a journalism student at FIU. After graduation she hopes to work for a non-profit. She hopes that her work with the BITL team will help bring a greater awareness of climate change through the immersive world of virtual reality.
Alexandra is a journalism student at FIU. After graduation she hopes to work for a non-profit. She hopes that her work with the BITL team will help bring a greater awareness of climate change through the immersive world of virtual reality.
Catherine Mieses - Florida International University, BS
Catherine Mieses is a student at Florida International University majoring in journalism with a concentration in international relations. This semester, she is the narratives lead at the Mobile Virtual Reality Lab at FIU, which focuses on innovative storytelling. With the BITL team, she hopes we can expand the conversation and develop probable solutions regarding climate change.
Catherine Mieses is a student at Florida International University majoring in journalism with a concentration in international relations. This semester, she is the narratives lead at the Mobile Virtual Reality Lab at FIU, which focuses on innovative storytelling. With the BITL team, she hopes we can expand the conversation and develop probable solutions regarding climate change.
Lisbette Castillo - Florida International University, BA
Lisbette Castillo is a communications journalism student at Florida International University with a minor in art history. She is currently a staff writer for FIU’s newspaper The Beacon and plans to go to grad school to study child psychology. Her main interests are traveling, writing, art and music. She is currently exploring and unraveling her interests in production and media and tuning into the virtual reality world.
Lisbette Castillo is a communications journalism student at Florida International University with a minor in art history. She is currently a staff writer for FIU’s newspaper The Beacon and plans to go to grad school to study child psychology. Her main interests are traveling, writing, art and music. She is currently exploring and unraveling her interests in production and media and tuning into the virtual reality world.
Sara Rafsky - MIT Comparative Media Studies M.S. 2018
Sara Rafsky is a freelance journalist, M.S. candidate in Comparative Media Studies at MIT and Research Assistant at MIT’s Open Documentary Lab. She was previously Researcher on Central America at Amnesty International in Mexico City, the Americas Program Researcher at the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York, and has worked as a freelance journalist and with international foundations, human rights organizations and think tanks throughout Latin America. She has written widely about documentary film and served as a film screener for documentary film festivals. Sara is excited to work with BITL to further her MIT research on how
documentary practices and new technologies can advance social justice issues.
Sara Rafsky is a freelance journalist, M.S. candidate in Comparative Media Studies at MIT and Research Assistant at MIT’s Open Documentary Lab. She was previously Researcher on Central America at Amnesty International in Mexico City, the Americas Program Researcher at the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York, and has worked as a freelance journalist and with international foundations, human rights organizations and think tanks throughout Latin America. She has written widely about documentary film and served as a film screener for documentary film festivals. Sara is excited to work with BITL to further her MIT research on how
documentary practices and new technologies can advance social justice issues.
Shelby Servais - Florida International University, Ph.D. Candidate
Shelby is a biology Ph.D. candidate at Florida International University. Shelby ’s research focuses on how microbial community structure and function will change in the Everglades as sea levels rise. Shelby is also a science communication fellow at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and is interested in how science is translated to the public.
Shelby is a biology Ph.D. candidate at Florida International University. Shelby ’s research focuses on how microbial community structure and function will change in the Everglades as sea levels rise. Shelby is also a science communication fellow at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and is interested in how science is translated to the public.
Tatiana Delgado - Florida International University, BA
Tatiana Delgado is a student at Florida International University who is studying journalism and business entrepreneurship. She loves Disney, traveling, animals and has recently become a vegetarian. Delgado was born in Ft. Benning, Georgia but has lived in Miami since 2007. After graduating with a BA she plans to move back to her home state and study architecture at Georgia Tech. The environment is extremely important to her and is proud to be a part of such a movement that brings knowledge and information to the public about the drastic effects of climate change.
Tatiana Delgado is a student at Florida International University who is studying journalism and business entrepreneurship. She loves Disney, traveling, animals and has recently become a vegetarian. Delgado was born in Ft. Benning, Georgia but has lived in Miami since 2007. After graduating with a BA she plans to move back to her home state and study architecture at Georgia Tech. The environment is extremely important to her and is proud to be a part of such a movement that brings knowledge and information to the public about the drastic effects of climate change.
Wan Chantavilasvong - MIT | Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning | International Development | MCP 2018
Wan is in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT, where she is seeking ways to develop economic, social, and environmental sustainability in rural areas in developing countries around the world. Prior to DUSP, Wan has her background in architecture and design, the skills of which used to help various social enterprises in Thailand improve their stories and reach a wider audience. With her backgrounds and aspirations, Wan is interested to find ways to bridge art into the dialogue of sustainable development.
Wan is in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT, where she is seeking ways to develop economic, social, and environmental sustainability in rural areas in developing countries around the world. Prior to DUSP, Wan has her background in architecture and design, the skills of which used to help various social enterprises in Thailand improve their stories and reach a wider audience. With her backgrounds and aspirations, Wan is interested to find ways to bridge art into the dialogue of sustainable development.
VR
Charity Everett - Harvard Extension School, ALB Candidate 2019
Charity Everett has a background in musical VR Experience Creation. She previously was the head of VR Evangelism and Artist relations at Simmetri, and was selected as an Oculus LaunchPad Fellow for her work on creating musical Virtual Reality experiences. She has developed experiences for the Microsoft HoloLens, the HTC Vive, the Samsung Gear VR, and the Oculus Rift. Additionally, she served as a mentor at MIT Hacking Arts, a participant in the Reality Virtually Hackathon, and spoke on a panel on the future of VR and AR development at WECode Harvard.
Charity Everett has a background in musical VR Experience Creation. She previously was the head of VR Evangelism and Artist relations at Simmetri, and was selected as an Oculus LaunchPad Fellow for her work on creating musical Virtual Reality experiences. She has developed experiences for the Microsoft HoloLens, the HTC Vive, the Samsung Gear VR, and the Oculus Rift. Additionally, she served as a mentor at MIT Hacking Arts, a participant in the Reality Virtually Hackathon, and spoke on a panel on the future of VR and AR development at WECode Harvard.
Albert Elias - FIU Masters of Architecture 2016, FIU MAA 2017
Albert is a Research Assistant and Graduate of the school of Architecture at FIU. He is currently designing and developing Augmented/ Virtual Reality solutions for immersive Data Visualizations. His focus is in developing creative workflows that will encourage the communication of ideas, enhance our understandings of complex networks, and better inform policy makers. He is passionate about natural systems and is using his background in computational design to work with scientists to develop an application for Everglades restoration, Sea Level Rise, and their effects on our Urban Environment.
Albert is a Research Assistant and Graduate of the school of Architecture at FIU. He is currently designing and developing Augmented/ Virtual Reality solutions for immersive Data Visualizations. His focus is in developing creative workflows that will encourage the communication of ideas, enhance our understandings of complex networks, and better inform policy makers. He is passionate about natural systems and is using his background in computational design to work with scientists to develop an application for Everglades restoration, Sea Level Rise, and their effects on our Urban Environment.
Annabelle Santos - Florida International University, B.S. in Communications, Digital Media Studies, 2018
Annabelle is a digital media studies student at FIU, learning about the world of digital media from the communications perspective. She hopes to integrate what she learns from digital media with her growing background in graphic design, and aspires to be a user experience and user interface and interaction designer (UX/UI). Most of her technical experience comes from participating in various MLH Hack-a-thons across Florida since 2016 as a graphic designer for various short-term hacks. Her involvement in the Mobile VR Lab at FIU is her first step in creating content in a new media, as she’s always looking to add more tools to her creative toolset in creating a portfolio for herself.
Annabelle is a digital media studies student at FIU, learning about the world of digital media from the communications perspective. She hopes to integrate what she learns from digital media with her growing background in graphic design, and aspires to be a user experience and user interface and interaction designer (UX/UI). Most of her technical experience comes from participating in various MLH Hack-a-thons across Florida since 2016 as a graphic designer for various short-term hacks. Her involvement in the Mobile VR Lab at FIU is her first step in creating content in a new media, as she’s always looking to add more tools to her creative toolset in creating a portfolio for herself.
Armando Rubi III - University of Miami, Ph.D. Candidate in Communication
Armando focuses on game studies, digital environments and the impact that they are making on society. As an instructor, he has taught and guest lectured on a wide range of topics dealing with culture and technology. By focusing on the direction technology is taking, Armando is researching and pioneering in the fields of virtual and augmented reality, preparing for what the future holds. He is currently conducting research on Pokemon GO and has is working on articles focusing on the impact of social media and online relationships.
Armando focuses on game studies, digital environments and the impact that they are making on society. As an instructor, he has taught and guest lectured on a wide range of topics dealing with culture and technology. By focusing on the direction technology is taking, Armando is researching and pioneering in the fields of virtual and augmented reality, preparing for what the future holds. He is currently conducting research on Pokemon GO and has is working on articles focusing on the impact of social media and online relationships.
Erick Pinos - MIT, B.S. in Management, 2017
Erick Pinos is an MIT undergraduate studying management with computer science. His foray into virtual reality began before he knew it was called that. He was working at the Media Lab on projection based augmented reality for urban planners when it clicked for him that the future of mixed reality and holograms he’s dreamed of as a child was right on the horizon. After that, he dove head first into the industry, booking last minute tickets to conferences, borrowing 360 degree cameras to experiment with VR films, and even buying a headset to develop new and interesting applications.
Erick Pinos is an MIT undergraduate studying management with computer science. His foray into virtual reality began before he knew it was called that. He was working at the Media Lab on projection based augmented reality for urban planners when it clicked for him that the future of mixed reality and holograms he’s dreamed of as a child was right on the horizon. After that, he dove head first into the industry, booking last minute tickets to conferences, borrowing 360 degree cameras to experiment with VR films, and even buying a headset to develop new and interesting applications.
Leslie Ovalle - Florida International University BA 2017
Leslie is a journalism student at Florida International University. She is a freelance reporter for the Miami Herald and is passionate about documentary storytelling. Through her contribution with BITL she plans to illustrate the greater story of the Earth’s environment through South Florida’s story.
Russell Darrow - University of Miami, MFA (Motion Pictures) Candidate 2018
Russ is a second-year University of Miami MFA in Motion Pictures student. Russ spent his undergraduate career at Brown University where he studied Economics and Literary Arts. During his undergraduate studies, Russ spent a semester at Stockholm University where he studied the economic implications of sustainable ecosystems. This experience prompted him to seek work as an intern for Barry Gardiner MP, UK House of Commons Special Envoy for Climate change, in the UK Parliament during the summer of 2012. Russ focused his energies on a documentary about Social Enterprise after leaving Brown. Following these efforts, he spent two years at Google before decided to pursue both his love of storytelling and technology at the University of Miami. A 360-film class at UM sparked Russ’s passion for VR. He believes there are significant, wide-ranging applications for 360-film and VR. He looks forward to contributing to BITL’s effort to facilitate widespread environmental-consciousness with VR-technology.
Russ is a second-year University of Miami MFA in Motion Pictures student. Russ spent his undergraduate career at Brown University where he studied Economics and Literary Arts. During his undergraduate studies, Russ spent a semester at Stockholm University where he studied the economic implications of sustainable ecosystems. This experience prompted him to seek work as an intern for Barry Gardiner MP, UK House of Commons Special Envoy for Climate change, in the UK Parliament during the summer of 2012. Russ focused his energies on a documentary about Social Enterprise after leaving Brown. Following these efforts, he spent two years at Google before decided to pursue both his love of storytelling and technology at the University of Miami. A 360-film class at UM sparked Russ’s passion for VR. He believes there are significant, wide-ranging applications for 360-film and VR. He looks forward to contributing to BITL’s effort to facilitate widespread environmental-consciousness with VR-technology.
Everglades
Ben Wilson – See above in Solutions Team. He is a member of two teams.
Russell Darrow – See above in VR Team. He is a member of two teams.
Sean Charles – See above in Data Team. He is a member of two teams.
Shelby Servais – See above in Stories Team. She is a member of two teams.