Faculty

Charles Dyer Norton Professor of Regional Planning and Urbanism,  GSD
Trained as a sociologist, Diane’s research interests include the relations between urbanization and national development, comparative urban governance, socio-spatial practice in conflict cities, and new territorial manifestations of sovereignty. Her research initiatives include a project funded by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF), which focused on the role of political leadership in transforming urban transport, and a project funded by Mexico’s national workers’ housing agency (INFONAVIT).

Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, GSD
Jill is trained in landscape architecture and architecture, and has practiced professionally in both fields. Prior to joining the full-time faculty at the GSD, she taught in the second term core studio of the MLA Program at the GSD and at Northeastern University’s School of Architecture. She was formerly Senior Associate at Stoss Landscape Urbanism, where she managed the firm’s efforts on the Lower Don Lands in Toronto, the Bass River Park on Cape Cod, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, SEAS 
In July of 2009, Krzysztof joined the Harvard faculty as an assistant professor in Computer Science. His research interests are in human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and applied machine learning. The phrase “intelligent interactive systems” describes many of Gajos’s interests: understanding how intelligent technologies can enable novel ways of interacting with computation, and in the new challenges that human abilities, limitations, and preferences create for machine learning algorithms embedded in interactive systems.

Pierce Anderson Lecturer in Design Engineering, GSD 
Chuck has an extensive background in design and the manufacturing of transformable structures with demonstrated use as consumer products, deployable shelters, stage sets, and architectural facades. Wider intellectual interests include the process of invention, design automation methods, transformable systems in nature, and creative synergies between the arts and sciences.

Professor in Practice of Architectural Technology, GSD 
Hanif is a design-led structural engineer with particular expertise in complex structures, advanced analysis tools, innovative forms, and materials for building structures. His numerous publications include Design Engineering, 2008, Actar. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK Institution of Structural Engineers, and of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and winner of many design awards, including the UK Sterling Prize in 2000 and 2012.

Professor of Architectural Technology, GSD
Ali is the Founding Director of the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities, and teaches and conducts research in the areas of computational simulation, building performance evaluation, decision support systems, and advanced visualization. He received a PhD in Architectural Technology and Artificial Intelligence from Georgia Institute of Technology, a Master in Architecture degree from the University of Colorado, and a BS in Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design from Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics, SEAS
Kit is a Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and Technology at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and has an extensive technical background in biological systems, medical devices, and bio-inspired design. He has over 20 years of experience as an officer in the United States Army, with extensive experience in combat operations, training, and the adaptation of novel technologies to and from the battlefield.

G. Ware Travelstead Professor of the History of Architecture and Technology Director of Research, GSD 
Antoine teaches courses in the history and theory of architecture and technology. Trained as an engineer, architect, and historian, he works on the history of architectural and urban technologies from the eighteenth century to the present. His most recent books offer a comprehensive overview of the changes brought by the computer and digital culture to the theory and practice of architecture, as well as to the planning and experience of the city.

Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, GSD 
Robert’s teaching and research focus on geospatial representation, simulation, narrative + critical cartography, and spatial taxonomies. Pietrusko is also a co-founder of the metaLAB(at)Harvard, where he develops data-rich tools and environments for the communication of scholarly work. His design work has been exhibited at the MoMA, SFMOMA, The Foundation Cartier, and the Venice Architecture Biennale, among others, and has been featured in Metropolis, Architectural Record, and Domus.

Assistant Professor of Architecture, GSD
Holly teaches architectural technology courses, specializing in the energy and environmental performance of buildings. Her research focuses on energy conservation, computerized simulation, occupant behavior, and the future of building practice as it relates to these topics. Prior to joining Harvard, Samuelson practiced full-time as an architect (2000-2007) and sustainable design consultant (2007-2008). As a licensed architect, her collaborative work has been recognized for design and ecological excellence.

Senior Preceptor in Chemical Engineering and Applied Materials, SEAS 
Pia co-teaches and manages the General Education course “Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science.” Her research interests range from science and engineering education — with an emphasis on online education and creative ways of teaching science and engineering in a liberal arts setting — to chemical biology, stemming from her doctoral work on small molecule natural products and their effects on cell division and other cellular processes.

Abbott and James Lawrence Professor of Materials Engineering, SEAS
Joost has an intellectual interest in the mechanical and thermal behavior of a broad range of engineering materials, with a focus on experimental techniques. Recent projects include degradation of electrodes in lithium ion batteries, development of structural and functional hydrogels, and combinatorial techniques for the development of complex materials systems, including metallic glasses, ultra-high temperature ceramic coatings, and high-temperature shape memory alloys.

Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, SEAS
Weitz and his group study the physics of soft condensed matter, materials easily deformed by external stresses, electric, magnetic or gravitational fields, and even thermal fluctuations. Weitz and his group also have extensive interactions with industry, with some of their work motivated by the science that directly addresses technologically important problems.  In addition, some research in the group has led to promising new technologies, and several start-up companies have emerged from the research. 

Charles River Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, SEAS 
Rob is a founding, core faculty member of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. He is founder of the Harvard Microrobotics Lab, which focuses on mechanics, materials, manufacturing, and design for novel small-scale, biologically-inspired, and soft-bodied robots.

Gordon McKay Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, SEAS, and HBS University Fellow, Woodward Yang has extensive technical background in microelectronic systems and semiconductor manufacturing, and wider intellectual interests, including technology transfer, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, innovation, and engineering design. His innovative and pioneering research results were highly recognized through the prestigious National Science Foundation Young Investigator and Army Young Investigator awards and as IEEE Distinguished Lecturer.  Dr. Yang was also the founder and CEO of a DRAM design company for many years in Korea and Taiwan, which designed and manufactured special purpose memory products.