Siranush Babakhanova, Xapiens Co-Founder and Co-Director | Stanford PhD student in Biophysics | MIT’20 Physics and CS, Ed Boyden’s Synthetic Neurobiology group at Media Lab and McGovern Institute for Brain Research
I am currently a PhD student at Stanford. I envision myself devoting the majority of my professional life researching methods for human augmentation, brain-machine interfaces and environment design to respond the present-day demands of extreme environment exploration (such as Deep Ocean and Space) as well as communication development (brain-brain or brain-AI) to try to solve the most important socio-economic questions and, hopefully, push the boundaries of humankind.
Loyd Waites, Xapiens Co-Director | RPI ‘16 in Physics, MIT PhD student, Janet Conrad's High Energy, Particle and Neutrino Physics Group
I received my bachelors in physics at RPI with a wide research background including theoretical astrophysics, NMR/low field MRI, and experimental particle physics. After graduating I worked for a year as technical staff at a non-profit government contractor, Draper Laboratory, where I gained experience in image processing, experimental optics and biophysics. I was granted the privilege of being named a Draper Fellow, funding in entirety my graduate tuition and stipend. I met Professor Conrad and her amazing group doing revolutionary research in neutrino physics, and when I was accepted to MIT I joined her group. My wide interests led to my joining Xapiens. Human enhancement has been a passion of mine, and getting to be more involved in the field is a great opportunity.
Joshua Ramette, Xapiens Co-Director | MIT Physics PhD Student, MIT/Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms
Studying physics and mathematics as an undergrad, my research background includes instrumentation for gravitational wave astrophysics with the LIGO collaboration, experimental particle physics with ATLAS at CERN, and radio astronomy for low frequency gravitational wave searches with the NANOGrav collaboration. Currently I work on cavity quantum electrodynamics as well as novel techniques for laser cooling to quantum degeneracy with Vladan Vuletic. In addition to physics and the fundamental principles of the universe, I am also interested in the history of humanity and where human augmentation may take us in the future.
Thomas Hartke, Xapiens Co-Director | Princeton’17 Physics, MIT Physics PhD Student, MIT/Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms
In undergrad, I focused on advancing novel quantum computing hardware created from single electrons trapped in solid-state quantum dots. Now at MIT I study even smaller and colder systems, working with single atoms at nanokelvin temperatures to understand the underlying mechanisms of quantum materials such as high-temperature superconductors. In addition, I am broadly interested in how technology will influence future societies, for example by improving and expanding methods of education and more radically through human augmentation.
Younes Subhi, Xapiens Co-Director | University of Copenhagen Masters in Medicine’22 | University of Denmark Bachelors in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering’20 | University of Copenhagen Bachelors of Science in Medicine’18 | Copenhagen Business School Specialization in Strategic Management and Innovation’16
My point of interest is in neural engineering and human-technology integration - specifically, brain augmentation in order to heighten cognition and connect brains together. While most topics of science can light a spark in me, developing and using technology to uncover and connect the mind excites me by far the most. Second comes neurosurgery. When not scratching my own brain out, trying to understand other brains, I am lucky enough to spend time on developing machine learning-based coding projects.
Priyanka Mathikshara Mathialagan, Graduate student - Stanford University | Department of Electrical Engineering
I did my undergraduate studies in electronics and computer engineering, during which I worked as an intern with various organisations such as National University of Singapore, Google, Stanford Robotics Lab, etc. Most of my work in that period entailed building smart and intelligent computing systems. Eventually I got curious about the smartest and most intelligent system in the world - the Brain and started exploring ways in which computing could aid the human brain and vice versa. I am working as a computational neuroscience engineer with labs at Stanford and UChicago and would be joining Stanford as a grad student in Fall’21. Looking forward to contributing towards transhumanism, human enhancement and brain inspired intelligent computing :D
Emeritus Members:
Kate Flanagan, Xapiens Alumnus Co-Director | Neuroscience BS transitioning into MechE, RA at Mechanics of Slender Structures Lab
My interests span a broad and dynamic range of subjects including engineering, neuroscience, machine learning, data analysis, and aesthetic appeal. As I begin my graduate studies in engineering, my dream is to combine these interests into a career. I am especially concerned with novel approaches to transforming neural and environmental data into useful parameters to drive robotic prosthetics and other assistive devices.
Delaney Snowden, Xapiens Alumnus Co-Director | Harvard Psychology Master’s Program’20 | Harvard University Psychology Department, Dr. Ellen Langer
I graduated with a B.S. from Texas A&M University in 2016 with a double major in Psychology, Sociology, and a minor in Neuroscience. I moved to Cambridge to pursue graduate studies in psychology and neuroscience. I became involved with Dr. Ellen Langer’s lab, which focuses on Health and Decision-making psychology, specifically mind-body unity and mindfulness. My masters’ research involved applying mind-body regulation to chronobiological performance. My interests broadly range from human optimization, aging, psychosocial epigenetics, physics, regenerative medicine, social theory, and existential philosophy. I’m interested in holistic theories about existence and how we can take an active role in our evolution through the application of science to our potential.
Logan H Ford, Xapiens Co-Founder and Alumnus Co-Director | Software Engineer at Scale AI | MIT’18 CS, Spoken Language Systems group at CSAIL
I completed my bachelor’s degree at MIT this past June in Computer Science and am now a M. Eng. candidate with a focus in artificial intelligence. I’m currently working on my Thesis with the Spoken Language Systems group at CSAIL on general acoustic scene analysis. Previously I co-founded Klarity, a YC company using machine learning to analyze legal contracts. I was drawn to human enhancement topics because of both the cutting edge technology it involves and the larger implications of its development.
Alexi Choueiri, Xapiens Alumnus Co-Director | MIT PhD student in Neuroscience at Edward Boyden’s Synthetic Neurobiology group | Arizona State University Barrett Honors College Scholar, Bachelors in Science in Biochemistry and Bachelors in Science in Economics
Interested in the intersection of neuroscience, bioengineering and nanotechnology. Paving the way for interfacing our minds with machine. My fascination with neuroscience comes from my deep-rooted drive to understand the human condition in attempt alleviate pain and suffering. The human brain is one of the most complex structures in the known universe, giving us the ability to perceive, learn, feel, and create. The brain and its mysteries require much more exploration if we are to understand the origins of human consciousness and prevent devastating neurological diseases. My goal is to develop neurotechnologies and associated ventures to unravel the mysteries of the brain and advance humanity. Brain technologies will cure disease, drive artificial intelligence and most importantly help us understand ourselves and others.
MJ Antonini, Xapiens Alumnus Co-Director | Ph.D Candidate in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics at the Harvard-MIT Health Science and Technology Program, Polina Anikeeva’s Lab
Born and raised in Corsica, France, I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies in mechanical and industrial engineering at Arts & Métiers ParisTech, and then pursued a M.Sc in biomedical engineering at the Imperial College London, and learned neurosciences while studying neuronal dysfunction in an animal model of Huntington’s Disease at the McGovern Institute at MIT. I currently working in Polina Anikeeva's lab on the development of polymer fibers for multimodal neural recording and stimulation. In addition to Brain machine interface, my interests revolves the different ways to improve the human condition, through technology development as well as social and economic impact.
Mathias Backsaether, Xapiens Alumnus Co-Director | MIT Advanced Studies Program, Peter Diamandis Strike Force Fellow
I had 3 years of undergrad studies in nanotechnology and space technology from Norway before I came to MIT. Here I am a student of the Advanced Study Program (ASP) and take courses focusing on human intelligence, neuroengineering and entrepreneurship. Back in Norway I have organized a SpaceUp, led the team making the first autonomous race car in the Nordics and graduated a Seargent from the Norwegian Home Guard. This year my interest in Brain-Computer Interfaces has blossomed and I’m tinkering on ideas for how we can connect with machines and each other in the future.