Founding Director joint MA Design Engineering Brown and RISD
Growing collaborations and a research and teaching agenda for the field of Design Engineering.
Project focus: Growing the area of Design Engineering and creating a masters degree in Design Engineering delivered jointly by Brown University and RISD Roles:
Founding Executive Director, MADE
Full Professor of Practice, Design Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University
Faculty Associate, RISD
Faculty Associate, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center
Press from RISD (2025): Brown/RISD Master of Arts in Design Engineering Bridges Disciplines
Press from RISD Grad Show (2024): Grad Show 2024 Presents Thesis Work by RISD’s Global Community of Artists and Designers
Press from Brown (2024): Boston’s Data Landscapes: Visualizing the Urban Experience debuted at the Museum of Science
Responsibilities: Managing all aspects of the graduate-level Design Engineering program, working closely with the Dean of Engineering at Brown University, Dean of Architecture and Design at RISD, and both Provost offices as needed. Accomplishments: In 3 years: comprehensive design engineering curriculum design, quadrupled size of admissions funnel, exceeded admissions metrics of all comparison programs, built excellent faculty and technical support team, stronger than average yield year over year, known for excellence as a bridge-builder across Brown and RISD and for my genuine respect and advocacy of all design and engineering disciplines.
Our team is continually inspired by how our MA Design Engineering (MADE) program students transform during the program into true bridge-builders between design and engineering. In our latest cohort's featured projects, you'll see something remarkable: designers who can confidently tackle technical challenges and engineers who thoughtfully craft user experiences. What makes us particularly proud isn't just the innovative projects they showcase - like an AI-integrated cooking assistant or a breakthrough medical device for endometriosis detection - but the deep appreciation our students develop for both disciplines during their time together. This profound respect for their counterparts' expertise and the ability to collaborate seamlessly across the design-engineering divide, combined with hands-on technical and creative skills, is at the heart of MADE. Our students and faculty don't just speak both languages - they champion both perspectives.
Key Links:
Master of Arts in Design Engineering (MADE)
Brown University
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Berkman Klein Center at Harvard
2021-present
